Ministers are being called on to treat suicide as a public health crisis after rates in England and Wales reached their highest level for more than 20 years.
of Official statisticsThe report, described by suicide prevention charity Samaritans as “worse than expected”, found that 6,069 suicides were registered in both countries in 2023, up from 5,642 in 2022 and the highest rate since 1999.
Three-quarters of deaths were men, but the suicide rate among women reached its highest level since 1994, according to annual figures from the Office for National Statistics.
“Compared to 2022, rates increased across all age groups, but especially among people aged 45 to 64,” Vae said. Nafilian, head of social care and health data and analysis at the ONS.
“Nine regions across England have seen suicide rates rise or remain stable, with the largest increase occurring in the North West. Suicide has a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities so we will continue to monitor the suicide register and support work to protect vulnerable people at risk.”
Jackie Morrissey, deputy director of impact at Samaritans, said: “Based on these figures, that would be more than 900 suicides in the first 55 days of this new government, yet we're quick to hear about plans for more wind turbines but suicide prevention has been left alone. The government needs to get its priorities straight because lives are at stake.”
Samaritans called on Finance Minister Rachel Reeves “to properly invest in suicide prevention with the same ambition that has driven down smoking rates”.
“These figures are the ultimate wake-up call – suicide is preventable, but only if people take real action,” Morrissey said.
London had the lowest suicide rate of any region in England. The suicide rate for women across England and Wales was 5.7 per 100,000 people. The rate for men was 17.4 per 100,000, but rose to 25.5 for men aged 45 to 49.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Every suicide is a tragedy and these figures clearly represent a worrying trend which the Government is committed to reversing.”
After newsletter promotion
“We know that people with mental health issues aren't getting the support and care they need, which is why we'll fix our broken health system and ensure mental health gets the attention and focus it deserves.”
“We will work to improve mental health support and work across government to tackle the underlying causes of unequal health outcomes, including suicide, across the country.”
