The chair of the group tasked with driving implementation of the Scottish Government’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan says there is "much more for us all to do", as recent figures show a small decrease in the number of people who have taken their lives in 2021.

There were 753 registered suicides in Scotland according to annual statistics, which is a decrease from 805 registered in 2020.

The National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG) chair, Rose Fitzpatrick CBE, QPM, said 52 fewer people losing their lives to suicide was “heartening to see” but that more can be done:

“We need to remember that each of the 753 people who took their own lives last year was a person in pain and despair who will never know how deeply their death has affected the people they left behind.

“We should not as individuals or communities accept that suicide is inevitable, and we must continue to do all we can across Scotland to save people from taking their own lives.

“Much hard, complicated work is being undertaken across Scotland but there is much more for us all to do in our partnership with those who have lived and practitioner experience along with using robust academic evidence.”

Between 2017 to 2021, rates of suicide have been more than three times higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas.

More men (565) died from suicide compared to women (188), with cases in the latter decreasing by 42 in 2021 compared to the year before.

In an interview with healthandcare.scot last year, Ms Fitzpatrick said these inequalities are rooted in both structural and cultural causes that can restrict access to support.

The latest statistics show rates of suicide among 65- to 74-year-olds have nearly doubled in the last four years and is now at its highest rate since 2002.

Suicide prevention lead at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, Dr David Hall, says these figures are concerning:

"It’s clear there’s still much work to do. The new Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan due to be published soon, must be across all age groups.”

Stephen Platt FAcSS, Emeritus Professor of Health Policy Research at University of Edinburgh and co-chair NSPLG Academic Advisory Group, agrees with this call:

“Our forthcoming suicide prevention strategy and action plan need to address suicide risk across the whole life course, including older age."

He continued:

“While caution is needed in interpreting changes in incidence over the short term, it is important to acknowledge that male and female suicide rates were lower in 2021 than in 2019, despite the severe impact of the pandemic on the nation’s mental health and wellbeing, which might have been expected to lead to an increase in suicide."

Kevin Stewart, Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, confirmed a new suicide prevention strategy will be published in September.

“While the number of deaths has dropped in recent years, I remain committed to reducing suicide and providing support for those who are affected by this heartbreak,” he continued.

“We provide annual funding of £300,000 to Public Health Scotland to provide support for local suicide prevention work which helps communities implement local suicide prevention action plans.

“Our ambition is to get everyone working together to prevent suicide which is why we have been engaging with those affected to publish a prevention strategy for Scotland next month.

“This will set out how the government, partners and local communities can come together to help prevent future suicides.

“It is important that people know there is help available if they are feeling suicidal.

“Anyone in need of support should contact their GP or call the NHS 24 helpline.

“Support can also be found online, through NHS Inform, and on the Samaritans and Breathing Space websites.”

 

Read more: Suicide: True effects of the pandemic still unknown; Over half of Scots fear lack of mental health support; Suicide: New support for bereaved families

 

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