This information comes from the World Health Organization's new, ground-breaking report on violence and health, mentioned earlier in this space in connection with its data about killer kids -- youngsters who murder for sport and, as a group, are themselves among the largest numbers of homicide victims statistically.

The report cites a lot of data from the year 2000, because it's about as up-to-date as statisticians can be, given the immense, time-consuming task of collecting and collating information from scores of countries. In that year, 815,000 people worldwide killed themselves. The highest rates were recorded in Eastern European states; the lowest were seen mainly in Latin America and a few areas of Asia.

On average, says WHO, there are 3 male suicides for every female suicide. Suicide rates among the elderly are about 3 times those of the 15-24 age group. However, in absolute terms, suicides are generally highest below the age of 45 and among 15-44 year-olds "self-inflicted injuries are the fourth leading cause of death and the sixth leading cause of ill health and disability."

The good news is that only a minority of persons identified as suicidal actually do it. "Even those who attempt suicide may have no intention of dying," the report states.

Over the age of 65, it's estimated there are 2 or 3 attempted suicides for every successful one, while among persons aged under 25 "the ratio of nonfatal to fatal suicide acts may reach 100-200." However, the report adds, "about 10 percent of those who attempt suicide do eventually kill themselves."

An even greater proportion of people think suicidal thoughts but never try it. Women, on average, harbor more "suicidal ideation" than men.

Living in poverty, being jobless, losing loved ones, family arguments, breakdowns in relationships and legal or work-related problems are among the circumstances that place people at increased risk of harming themselves. But, says WHO, to be a trigger such events must happen to someone already predisposed toward self-injury.

As in interpersonal violence, the main theme of the UN agency's study, predisposing risk factors include alcohol and drug abuse, a history of physical or sexual abuse in childhood and social isolation.

"Having access to the means to kill oneself (most typically guns, medicines and agricultural poisons) is both an important risk factor in itself and an important determinant whether an attempt will be successful or not."

WHO concludes, "A number of factors nevertheless appear to protect people against suicidal feelings or acts. They include high self-esteem and social 'connectedness,' especially with family and friends, having social support, being in a stable and happy marriage, and commitment to a religion."