§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what statistics he collates on the rates of depression, self-harm and suicide amongst Asian women; and what services and resources have been made available to tackle this issue in the last three years. [42407]
§ Jacqui SmithNo national statistics are routinely collected centrally on suicide or self-harm of Asian women.
We are developing a national suicide prevention strategy, which we will launch for public consultation in spring 2002. The strategy will consider the commissioning of further research into suicides amongst Asian women. We will also be looking at this issue further in the Black and Ethnic Minority Mental Health Strategy being developed this year.
Rates of depression in people from black and minority ethnic groups are being established through a national survey of ethnic minority psychiatric illness rates in the community (EMPIRIC). The results of this survey will be published in April 2002.
1042WThe Department commissioned a study from the Institute of Psychiatry on "Deliberate self-harm in Asian women: An intervention study". The findings of which have been fed into information leaflets.
There are several projects in England addressing suicide and self-harm amongst Asian women, such as the Newham Asian Women's Project highlighted in the national Service Framework for Mental Health.
The Department has also provided the FPA with funding through the Section 64 scheme for their "JINNA" Sexuality and Self-harm project to identify the causes and develop effective preventative interventions for suicide and self-harm among young Asian women.