Risk of suicide remains high fifteen years after deliberate self-harm.

Main results Overall, 300 people had died from probable suicide at the time of follow up. Within one year of index episode: The overall risk of probable suicide was 0.7% (95% CI 0.6% to 0.9%). In males, the risk was 1.1% (95% CI 0.8 to 1.5). In females, the risk was 0.5% (95% CI 0.4 to 0.7). Within 15 years of index episode: The overall risk of probable suicide was 3.0% (95% CI 2.6 to 3.4). In males, the risk was 4.8% (95% CI 4.1 to 5.6). In females, the risk was 1.8% (95% CI 1.5 to 2.2). The hazard ratio for males relative to females was 2.8 (95% CI 2.2 to 3.6). Risk by age at time of index episode: The risk of suicide increased with advancing age at the time of the index episode of self-harm (hazard ratio for suicide in people aged > 55 years v people aged 10–24 years 3.91, 95% CI 2.71 to 5.62).