New research shows the leading cause of death among 5-24 year olds in Scotland is suicide, as research shows a dedicated team to respond to referrals of young people for suicidality would better support access to both assessment and treatment.

Analysis by Public Health Scotland has found more than one in four (25.7%) deaths among young people in Scotland is likely due to suicide.

Research by Public Health Scotland has also found that young people were significantly less likely to have had contact with a healthcare service in the period before their death than people over 25.

However, despite being the leading cause of death among young people, suicide rates remain significantly lower than those older than 25 at a rate of 6.6 deaths per 100,000 compared to 17.5 per 100,000 for those over 25 years old between 2011 and 2020.

Professor Steve Platt, Chair of the Scottish Suicide Information Database (ScotSID) Steering Group and Emeritus Professor of Health Policy Research at the University of Edinburgh, said this analysis will help develop more effective preventative action in the future:

“Thankfully, suicide is far less common in those aged 5-24 than among older adults.”

“Nevertheless, during the period covered by the report, there were 820 young people resident in Scotland who died by suicide. That's an average of nearly seven each month, considerably more than the number of young people dying by road accidents.”

ScotSID links information on deaths recorded by National Records Scotland with other data held by PHS to improve understanding of suicide and how to effectively prevent it.

Recent research conducted by the University of Stirling found a quarter of children referred to mental health services in Scotland have considered or attempted suicide.

In their study of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) in two NHS boards, researchers found significant differences in the care offered to children once they had been referred.

Lead researcher, Dr Lynne Gilmour, said:

“Our research sought to understand how the children referred for suicidality are processed, assessed and treated. Overall, we found that one in four referrals to CAMHS involved children who had either attempted suicide or had suicidal ideation – and 33% of those were under 12.

“We also identified a variation within and between health boards in terms of assessment, referral outcomes, and care pathways for these children – with most, in one area, not receiving a face-to-face assessment, let alone treatment or support. This highlights the often-missed yet vital opportunity for early intervention with very young suicidal children.”

The study found that having a dedicated team to respond to referrals for suicidality within the health board can better support access to assessment and treatment.

The research is part of a wider study exploring the experiences of children, parents and CAHMS.

Scotland has the highest rate of suicides among children in the UK, however the researchers say the number referred to mental health services for suicidality, and the care they receive, is still largely unknown.

If you have been affected by suicide and/or are struggling with your mental health, there is help is available.

Childline: Phone: 0800 1111. Childline is there to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night.

Samaritans: Phone: 116 123. Samaritans can offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like about whatever’s getting to you – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Breathing Space: Phone: 0800 83 85 87. Breathing Space are a free, confidential phone service for anyone in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.

Mind: Phone: 0300 123 3393. Mind provide advice and support to empower you if you are experiencing a mental health problem. 

Anxiety UK: Phone: 03444 775 774. National charity for those affected by anxiety. Information line available Monday to Friday, 9:30am–5:30pm.