Slight increase in Scotland's suicide rates leads to 'missed target' accusations

Critics have pointed the finger at the Scottish Government for not achieving alleged targets around suicide rates

​The Scottish Government has been urged to prioritise frontline mental health services as it was revealed the country’s suicide rates for last year saw a small increase to 762 probable deaths.

The figure published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) is an increase of nine compared to 2021. However, the number of suicides in Scotland has been fairly steady in recent years.

The rate of suspected suicides in males was almost three times as high as the rate for females, with 556 male deaths compared to 206 female. However, male suicides fell by nine compared to 2021, while rates for women increased by 18.

A woman showing signs of depression. Picture: PA

Meanwhile, NRS data showed those in the most deprived areas were more likely to die from suicide, with the mortality rate 2.6 times higher than in the least deprived. The deprivation gap for suicides is 1.8 times higher than all causes of death in Scotland.

At a local level, the death rate was higher than the Scottish average in the local authority areas of Highland, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, and Perth and Kinross.

Scottish Conservative deputy health spokesperson Tess White said: “These figures only reaffirm the need for SNP-Green ministers to ensure people struggling with mental health issues are treated as quickly as possible. The reality on the SNP’s watch is one of missed targets, with the number of suicides sadly on the increase again.

“They have failed to meet their target to reduce the number of suicides by a fifth by 2022.” Ms White added: “We must see the SNP-Green government outline an urgent plan that guarantees frontline mental health services will have every resource they need to invest in early intervention and drastically reduce the number of lives being lost to suicide.”

Mental wellbeing minister Maree Todd extended her "heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences" to those who had lost a loved one to suicide, adding: "It is important to take a moment to remember each of the 762 people who died by suicide last year.

"Every suicide is a tragedy with a far-reaching impact on family, friends and the wider community.

"Our aim is for any child, young person or adult who has thoughts of taking their own life, or are affected by suicide, to get the help they need and feel a sense of hope.

"Our ambitious suicide prevention strategy is underpinned by significant investment of £2.5 million in 2023/24, and a commitment to double suicide prevention annual funding to £2.8m by 2026.”

Ms Todd added: "Our joint suicide prevention strategy with Cosla, Creating Hope Together, sets out our plan to reduce the number of suicides whilst also tackling the inequalities which contribute to suicide."

The strategy, she said, was supported by a three-year action plan focusing on the creation of "high quality peer support groups" for those impacted by suicide, as well as pointing to pilots in NHS Highland and NHS Ayrshire and Arran relating to bereavement support.

The latest comparable statistics for the rest of the UK are yet to be released. However, in 2021, Scotland had the second highest suicide death rate in the UK after Northern Ireland.

- Samaritans are available round the clock, every single day of the year for anyone seeking support. The organisation can be contacted on 116 123 (this number is free to call and won’t show up on your phone bill), or by visiting www.samaritans.org/branches to find details of the nearest branch.