Suicide Rates In The UK Rise To The Highest Since 2000
In the North West, 165 women and 547 men killed themselves last year, compared to 537 men and 182 women in 2001.
That is the grim news from the release of the latest figures issued today by the Government.
According to the Office of National Statistics, the increase was significant between 2010 and 2011, with the highest suicide rate being in males aged 30 to 44.
Suicide rates amongst the male population in the age group 45 to 59 were also increased.
Whilst the full set of statistics are available to download from the Unionsafety website E-Library, some basic facts from the statistics follow:
- There were 6,045 suicides in people aged 15 or over in 2011, an increase of 437 compared with 2010
- There were 4,552 male suicides in 2011 (18.2 per 100,000 population)
- There were 1,493 female suicides in 2011 (5.6 per 100,000 population)
- The highest rate was seen in males aged 30 to 44 (23.5 deaths per 100,000 population)
- There was an increased in suicides in males aged between 45 and 59 (22.2 deaths per 100,000 population)
- Female suicide rates were highest in 45 to 58-year-olds (7.3 deaths per 100,000 population)
What is not mentioned of course are the reasons for why the suicide rates are rising in the UK as a whole, with Scotland having the highest risk of suicides according to the NHS Scotland.
Many commentators put it down to the worsening financial crisis and the Tory-led Coalition Government’s austerity policies as welfare, public services and social security finding are all being slashed, with the disabled and unemployed being hit the hardest.
But as working families are being hit by loss of jobs, homes, and the lack of financial support from the state, the incidences of suicide amongst the general population can only get worse.
From within the working community, the added increase of risk of suicides will no doubt come from the attacks in health and safety legislation, plus the inability of victims to be able to obtain financial redress and disability support; again caused by Government policies and law changes.
As always work related stress caused by bullying, unrealistic productivity targets, shift working, lack of safety equipment and training; contributes to this figure. Further, with the changes in Health and Safety legislation that are forthcoming, not to mention those already implemented, the risk of suicides amongst working people will increase.
But before dismissing this as all conjecture, a scientific study published today supports the views above.
Today’s Daily Telegraph reports on the study saying:
“A painful British economic recession and rising unemployment may have driven more than 1,000 people in England to commit suicide, according to a scientific study published today.”
The article goes on to say:
“The study, a so-called time-trend analysis which compared the actual number of suicides with those expected if pre-recession trends had continued, reflects findings elsewhere in Europe where suicides are also on the rise.”
It quotes David Stuckler, a sociologist at Cambridge University who co-led the study, working with researchers from Liverpool University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; as saying:
"This is a grim reminder after the euphoria of the Olympics of the challenges we face and those that lie ahead.”
He also stressed that while this kind of statistical study could not establish a causal link, the power of the associations was strong. Its conclusions were strengthened by other indicators of rising mental health problems, stress and anxiety.
He reportedly, also pointed out that the study showed a small reduction in the number of suicides in 2010 which coincided with a slight recovery in male employment.
Meanwhile, the Insight Research Group yesterday published a survey of 300 family doctors which found that 76% of those questioned about the effects of the economic crisis, expressed the view that it was making people unhealthier, leading to more anxiety, abortions and alcohol abuse.
Last year, the government's Health and Social Care Information Centre data showed the number of prescriptions dispensed in England for antidepressants rose 9.1% in 2010 alone.
Commenting today on the figures showing an increased suicide rate, Stephen Platt, Samaritans’ Trustee and Professor of Health Policy Research at the University of Edinburgh, said:
“It’s worrying to see that the suicide rate for the UK appears to be at its highest since 2004 and that there seems to have been a significant increase from 2010 to 2011 from 11.1 to 11.8 per 100,000. It may be that the impact of the economic downturn is now being seen in the suicide rate.”
Commenting on the figures in relation to male suicide rates, he said:
"The most important issue raised by these figures is the urgent need to tackle the many difficulties faced by men in their middle years. The ONS has specifically referenced Samaritans' report on this crucial area. The research investigated why disadvantaged men in this age group are especially vulnerable to suicide.
The rate for men aged 30-44 of 23.5 deaths per 100,000 remains the highest of all groups, and the rate for men aged 45-59 has increased significantly over recent years, with the 2011 rate of 22.2 being almost as high as for those aged 30-44.
Meanwhile the suicide rate for younger men aged 15-29 has decreased over the past decade and has remained relatively stable since 2006.”
Source: British Medical Journal / Daily telegraph / Samaritans
Download the official statistics from the E-Library here
Download the Samaritan's report here
