Suicide rate in England and Wales reaches highest level for 14 years
England and Wales’ suicide rate reached its highest level for more than a decade, according to new data.
Between 2016 and 2018, the rate of people taking their own lives rose significantly, said the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
In 2018, levels were at their highest peak for 14 years with 10.6 suicides per 100,000. This is up from 9.7 per 100,000 people in 2016.
In recent years, the increases have been most pronounced among young people, between the ages of 10 to 24, and among men aged 45 to 64.
Higher statistics among young people are mirrored by increasing numbers of hospital admissions due to self-harm among this age group.
The figures come after experts last month warned the UK is facing a ‘mental health pandemic’, after the number of people seeking help because of suicidal thoughts tripled since the first lockdown began.
ONS data also showed the rate of suicide in males in England remained significantly higher than in females over the two-year period, and increased by 8.2% up to 15.9 deaths per 100,000 males.
It also increased in females to 5.0 deaths per 100,000 – but the rise was not considered statistically higher.
However, in Wales, the rate among males has not significantly changed in recent years, with 19.5 deaths per 100,000 males in 2018.
But it increased by more than 72% for women – from 4.0 up to to 6.9 deaths per 100,000 females.
The ONS said changes in rates in Wales were more volatile due to a smaller number of suicides.
The analysis looks at deaths on the date they occurred rather than when they were registered in a bid to understand the exact timing and some of the factors linked to the recent changes.
The ONS said there is some evidence of seasonal variation in rates of suicide in England between 2016-18.
Males saw higher rates in April to June and females saw higher rates during the first half of the year.
The male suicide rate increased significantly in cities and towns, while rates of suicide were markedly higher in the most than the least deprived local areas.
The ONS said a change to the evidence threshold used by coroners to determine whether a death was suicide is unlikely to explain why suicide rates started to rise in 2017.
Need support? Contact the Samaritans
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.