Male suicide rates highest for 20 years – the 7 signs your loved one is at risk
MALE suicide rates in England and Wales have reached a 20 year high, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed.
In 2019 there were 5,691 suicides registered which equates to around 11 deaths per 100,000 of the population.
Men accounted for three-quarters of suicide deaths regisitered in 2019. The ONS stated that this equates to 4,303 men and 1,388 women.
This is the highest rate of male suicides since 2000 when it was at a rate of 16.9 deaths per 100,000 of the population.
It did however state that this remained in line with the 2018 rate.
Every 90 minutes a life is lost to suicide in the UK, which is why The Sun previously launed the You’re Not Alone campaign to remind anyone facing a tough time, grappling with mental illness or feeling like there's nowhere left to turn, that there is hope.
The ONS data does not include 2020 figures. However it did state that there were 6.9 suicide deaths per 100,000 people in England between April and June this year.
It added that the low number of suicide deaths registered during this period was probably due to inquests being delayed because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The ONS data also revealed that the sucide rate for women was 5.3 deaths per 100,000, the highest since 2004.
It found that men aged 45 to 49 had the highest age-specific suicide rate at 25.5 deaths per 100,000 males, while the highest rate among women was for 50 to 54-year-olds, at 7.4 deaths per 100,000.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,, 116 123
- Movember,
Looking at the numbers for women and the ONS said the rate for 10 to 24-year-old females had also increased.
It said it was a “significant” increase from 1.6 deaths per 100,000 (81 deaths) in 2012 to its highest level at 3.1 deaths per 100,000 females (159 deaths) in that age group in 2019.
Looking specifically at where in the country the highest rate of suicides was for men and the highest rate in 2019 was in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Here there were 20.6 deaths per 100,000.
The area with the second highest rate was the South West at 19.4, while London recorded the lowest rate with 11.8.
Yorkshire and the Humber also had the highest rates of suicide for women with 7.3 per 100,000, while the North East had the lowest rate among women at 4.1.
The male suicide rate in the South East increased "significantly" from 13.5 per 100,000 (526 deaths) in 2018 to 16.8 per 100,000 (657 deaths) in 2019, the ONS said.
But what can you do if you think a loved one is suffering? Here are the 7 signs that your loved one is at risk.
1. Change in routine
The coronavirus pandemic has meant we have all had a change in routine, but as we start to head back to the office and as kids go back to school, people changing their routines might become more noticable.
This could mean that they are eating less or more than normal or even skipping meals.
Others may change how often and when they sleep.
2. Being withdrawn
Some people find it hard to communicate if they are feelng depressed and because of this they may become withdrawn.
Your loved one could stop talking to you or become less affectionate towards you.
They may also struggle to hold conversations and may seem to lose interest in what you have to say.
3. Losing interest in their appearance
If your loved one is feeling depressed they may start to lose interest in the way they look.
Some people may feel as though there is "no point" in making an effort or looking nice.
This is due to the feeling that they don't matter, so quite often they may push their self care needs back.
4. Putting themselves down
A common trait of someone who is feeling depressed is to belittle themselves.
This could be by chastising themselves for their behaviour or their work.
But they could also put themselves down for the way they look.
5. Not wanting to do things they enjoy
The pandemic had meant that for a long time many of us were unable to do things we enjoyed doing.
Now restrictions have lifted meaning that we can get back to the gym or meet a friend for a drink.
If your loved one keeps refusing plans and doesn't want to go out then this could be a sign that they are depressed.
6. Being irritable
Sometimes when people are depressed they find it hard to think about anything else - this makes everything else seem insigificant to them.
If your loved one is snapping at your or is getting annoyed at small things then try and ask them how they are feeling.
If they don't feel comfortable talking to you about these issues then there are online tools and help lines available where they will be able to talk to people.
7. Finding it hard to cope with everyday life
Tasks such as work can often feel mundane or labourous for people who are feeling depressed.
Simple acts like doing the laundry may seem labourous if you loved one is feeling depressed.
Commenting on the ONS statistics today, the Samaritans said that it was particulary worried about people with pre-existing mental health conditions, young people who self-harm, and less well-off middle-aged men.
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The charity said that it was important not to put the rise in suicide rates down to the pandemic.
CEO Ruth Sutherland said: "Volunteers are telling us that many callers have been worried about losing their job and/or business and their finances, with common themes around not being able pay rent/mortgage, inability to support the family, and fear of homelessness.
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"It is essential that these groups are given the support they need before people reach crisis point.
"Suicide prevention must be a priority right now, so we can save lives."