NSPLG responds to 2021 deaths by probable suicide data
Representatives of the National Suicide Prevention Leadership group have responded to today’s release of data from National Records of Scotland for 2021 which shows a small year on year decrease in deaths by probable suicide.
Statistics released by National Records of Scotland show that there were 753 suicides registered in 2021, a 6.5% decrease on 2020 (which was in turn down 3% on 2019).
This is slightly below the previous five-year average (766). It’s the lowest number of suicide deaths since 2017 (680).
Most of the decrease in the past year can be attributed to a fall in female suicides, which decreased by 42.
Probable suicides in the 15–24-year-old group have fallen to 73 in 2021, from 91 in 2020.
In contrast, there has been a slight increase over the last year in older age groups, including the 65–74-year-olds (up 11, to 73 deaths) and 75–84-year-olds (up 10, to 37 deaths).
When we look at the rate of suicide among 65–74-year-old males (21.4 per 100,000), there are reasons to be concerned; it has nearly doubled since 2017 (11.9 per 100,000). Overall, this is the highest rate since 2002.
Scotland’s National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group has supported the delivery of the Suicide Prevention Action Plan (SPAP) over the last four years. It brings together experience from three key areas: lived, academic and professional (including public health).
The Scottish Government and COSLA are due to launch a new Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan by the end of September. It will take a long-term view and should include key commitments made by the Scottish Government to look at the wider impact of societal inequalities such as poverty.
NSPLG chair, Rose Fitzpatrick CBE, QPM comments:
“It’s heartening to see from today’s figures that 52 fewer people lost their lives to suicide in Scotland in 2021 than in the previous year.
“However, 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.
“If you believe, as we do, that saving lives from the tragedy of suicide is important, please get involved with our National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group suicide prevention movement, United to Prevent Suicide. You can find out more about it at unitedtopreventsuicide.org.uk including tools to help you start a conversation that could save a life.
“And if you’re worried about someone you love, please ask the question. You might just save a life.
Seonaid Stallan lost her son and sister in law to suicide within weeks of each other in 2016. She says:
“It’s great that there is a drop, but there can be no complacency. We have a massive amount to do to reduce that figure, if we want fewer suicides in Scotland and in particular men who account for three-quarters of all deaths.
“This is not just a statistic. These are real people, families who have been devastated by the loss of a loved one. I think that’s a big thing to recognise. The impact of each of these suicides is far greater than a statistic can ever show.
“It affects whole communities and leaves all of us wondering what we could do to make a difference.
“I think we need to shift away from the past model of treating the risk of suicide at the point of crisis; we haven’t done enough early intervention. We need an absolute culture shift.
“If we really want to reduce the number of suicides in Scotland then we need to treat suicide as everyone’s business.
“There needs to be an understanding that we have all got a responsibility to create mentally healthy and compassionate schools, workplaces and communities. It takes a whole community to change that — not just mental health professionals or the third sector.”
Stephen Platt FAcSS, Emeritus Professor of Health Policy Research at University of Edinburgh and co-chair NSPLG Academic Advisory Group comments:
“I am delighted to see that there was a reduction in probable suicide deaths last year, most notable among women.
“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.
“Of particular concern, however, is the trend in suicide among older men. The rate in 65–74-year-olds has nearly doubled in four years and is at its highest since 2002, while the rate among 74–84-year-olds is at its highest since 2008.
“Our forthcoming suicide prevention strategy and action plan need to address suicide risk across the whole life course, including older age.”
Learn about Scotland’s suicide prevention public awareness campaign, United to Prevent Suicide, and join our movement at unitedtopreventsuicide.org.uk.
National Records of Scotland have released complete data which can be viewed here.
