Prevention group responds to 2019 increase in deaths by suicide

Key figures who are leading Scotland’s new approach to suicide prevention reacted to this week's news that the number of people who died by suicide in Scotland in 2019 rose for a second successive year.

Statistics released by National Records of Scotland show that there were 833 probable suicides registered in 2019, an increase of six per cent on 2018. This is the highest annual total since 2011 (889).

Men accounted for nearly three quarters of probable suicides in 2019 – a similar proportion to every year since the late 1980s.

Nearly a third of all probable suicides were of people aged between 45 and 59. Over the latest five years, the proportion of probable suicides was largest in the 45–49 age group (12 per cent on average). This is a shift in age group from the late 1990s when the largest proportions were for people in their late 20s and early 30s.

Data from 2019 shows some specific areas of increase from 2018. In particular, there was an increase in female suicide in the 15–24 age bracket (nine additional deaths, 41 per cent), with male deaths also up (eight additional deaths, 13 per cent). There has also been an increase in male and females over 55.

The National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG) was formed to advise on and support delivery of the Scottish Government’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan. The group includes those with lived, academic and professional experience.

NSPLG chair, Rose Fitzpatrick CBE, QPM said yesterday: “Every single one of the 833 deaths by suicide reported in the 2019 statistics released today is a tragedy and its impact is widely felt.

“Suicide is a complex issue and one which continues to challenge us in Scotland and elsewhere to do more to support the wellbeing, mental health and life circumstances of those at risk. We must of course take care not to overinterpret a single year’s data, but we also see today that while men continue to make up three-quarters of those lost to suicide, last year saw an increase in the rate of suicide among young people in their early 20s."

Stephanie Craig (20) is part of NSPLG’s lived experience panel. She attempted to take her own life 20 times, after suffering emotional and sexual abuse from an early age. She said: "It’s alarming that the numbers have increased this much in just a year and that is without a pandemic. There needs to be more support and interventions put into place.

“The numbers for young people/young adults are increasing rapidly and these figures are screaming that there needs to be more support for these age groups. Society is facing more pressures than ever and with young people/young adults they have more stresses, more pressures and social media again will play a huge role in people who are struggling."

Learn more about Scotland’s new public awareness campaign, United to Prevent Suicide, at unitedtopreventsuicide.org.uk

National Records of Scotland have released complete data which can be viewed at www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/vital-events/deaths/suicides

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or feeling suicidal, don’t hesitate to ask for help by contacting your GP, NHS24 on 111, Samaritans on 116 123 or Breathing Space on 0800 83 58 87.

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