A study conducted by the University of Manchester shows that people with mental disorders are at highest risk of suicide in the first two weeks after discharge from hospital. The study, called the University of Manchester National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide, found that between 2002 and 2012, 18,017 people with mental disorders committed suicide in the UK, and 3,225 died within three months of discharge, accounting for 18 percent of all suicides. Of these, 526 died in the first week after discharge, with the highest risk of suicide in this time period in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland; while in Wales, the highest risk was in the first two weeks after discharge. Principal investigator Professor Louis Appleby said: “The latest data show that the risk of suicide is highest within 3 months of discharge from hospital, particularly 1-2 weeks after discharge. This risk has previously been found to be associated with short-term hospital admissions and life threatening conditions. We recommend that effective interventions should be targeted at patients prior to discharge and automatic discharge.” ”In addition, early follow-up after discharge should be enhanced; shortening the length of stay to speed up turnaround is questionable; and healthcare workers should be fully aware of adverse events that patients have had prior to admission.” The report also highlights 24 deaths that occurred in England and Wales, five of which occurred in 2012. These patients were restrained by ward staff 24 hours prior to death. The team called for suicides and serious injuries due to restraint within three days of discharge from hospital to be classified as NHS Never Events, i.e. special safety events that need to be recorded and reported to boards and inspection bodies. Currently, the concept has not been introduced in Northern Ireland and is not formally implemented in Scotland. In addition, self-hanging remains a common form of suicide and the number is still increasing. 2,994 people died from self-hanging in the UK in 2012, including 813 people with mental disorders. According to Professor Nav Kapur, Director of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide, “The reason for this method of suicide is partly to do with the lack of access to other methods, and partly because there is still a misconception that self-hanging is a quick and less painful way; however, this is by no means the case, and the manner of death can cause great family members who first find the body mental anguish.” ”This form of suicide is difficult to prevent outside of the institution, but it still requires the concerted efforts of many people. In particular, it is important to note that the media should avoid a nuanced portrayal of suicide and should not portray it as a non-traumatic method of suicide.” The number of homicides committed by people with mental disorders declined last year; it has not rebounded this year, but it has not declined further either. 828 alleged murderers were diagnosed with mental disorders between 2002-2012, an average of 75 per year. 19% of homicides were committed against intimate partners.