16 suicides a day as recession blamed

Published on Thursday 28 January 2010 21:34

THE number of deaths by suicide has risen in direct relation to the economic recession.

The increase in the number of people taking their own life is the first in ten years, with experts warning that ongoing economic woes could see the trend continue.

The results represent the first annual rise in suicide rates since there was a sharp increase between 1997 and 1998.

With three times as many men killing themselves as women, health experts highlighted the devastating effects of unemployment on the vulnerable.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show that in 2008, a total of 5,706 people over the age of 15 took their own lives – almost 16 a day, and increasing from 5,377.

Men of all ages are affected, with most deaths occurring between the ages of 15 and 44.

Stephen Platt, Samaritans' trustee and professor of health policy research at the University of Edinburgh, said he was concerned at the rise in suicides.

He said: "In view of the promising downward trend in suicide in previous years, this could be worrying but it may turn out to be a normal fluctuation.

"However, given the strong research evidence of a link between economic recession and suicide, it is also possible that this is the start of an upward trend in suicide which could continue until there is an improvement in economic conditions.

"Any suicide is one too many and it is vital that we continue to work towards ensuring that fewer people die in this way."

A spokeswoman for the Samaritans added that volunteers at the charity spoke of the rising number of calls from people worried about financial problems.

Suicide rates for women have been consistently much lower than rates for men with a steady downward trend. Since 2004, the highest suicide rates among women have been in the 45-74 age group.

Figures published last year showed the number of suicides in Scotland has also risen for the last two years.

The total number of suicides has increased from 765 in 2006 to 843 in 2008.

But numbers are down on record levels recorded in 1993 when 912 people took their own lives.

Professor Rory O'Connor, of Stirling University's suicidal behaviour research group, said: "Sadly, this increase in suicide is not unexpected given that we know there's a relationship between past recessions and an increase in suicides.

"As more people lose their jobs, there's an increased risk of further suicides. As well as the financial implications, there's added stress on families and relationships, as well as the loss of social networks to support people."

Across the UK, there were 17.7 suicides per 100,000 men and 5.4 per 100,000 women in 2008.

In the early 1990s, the highest suicide rates in the UK were among men aged 75 years and over.

But rates in this age group have since decreased from 25.1 per 100,000 in 1991 to 14 per 100,000 in 2008 – now the lowest rate across the three male age bands.

A spokeswoman from mental health charity Mind said: "Although it is too early to blame the financial crisis for the rising number of suicides, the links are there. Suicide strategies need to take into account economic situations and their impact on vulnerable groups such as men who will inevitably lose their jobs."