Male suicide rates soar in Wales – latest figures reveal a 23% increase.

The number of suicides in the UK has increased by 4% according to figures released by the Office of National Statistics, the proportion of men taking their own lives is at its highest level in over a decade.

Statistics released today for 2013 show 6,233 people aged over 15 committed suicide – 78% were male and 22% were female.

Male suicide in Wales has risen once again and remains significantly higher in terms of rate to population; 26.1 per 100,000 versus that of  England 17.2 per 100,000.

In Wales male suicide between 2012 and 2013 has increased by a massive 23%

Male Suicide in Wales:

In England and Wales the combined suicide rate among men and boys was more than three times higher that of women and girls, with 19 deaths per 100,000 compared with 5.1 deaths.

The suicide rate in the UK is highest among men 45-59, at 25.1 deaths per 100,000 people, increasing to its highest level since 1981.

Many of the men taking their own lives are unemployed or working in manual or semi skilled roles between the ages of 20 and 50 according to the Samaritans.

Female rates in the UK have stayed relatively constant since 2007, the number of female suicides in Wales dropped slightly from 77 to 76.

There were 4,858 male suicides registered in the UK in 2013 

In December 2014 the Welsh Government launched a new five-year plan to reduce suicide and self harm in Wales and in currently in the consultation phase which is open until March 5, 2015.

Called ‘Talk to Me 2‘ the plan builds on the first Talk to Me plan, launched in 2009 and sets out  strategic aims and objectives to prevent and reduce suicide and self harm in Wales.

The aims of the plan are to identify those groups of people who are particularly vulnerable to suicide and self harm and sets out the care they should receive, provided in the right place, at the right time.

The national priority in Wales over the next five years include:

• Reducing access to the means of suicide
• Delivering appropriate responses to personal crises, early intervention and management of suicide and self harm
• Further improving awareness, knowledge and understanding of suicide and self harm among the public; people who frequently come into contact with those at risk of suicide and self harm and professionals in Wales
• Providing information and support for people bereaved or affected by suicide and self harm
• Supporting the media in responsible reporting and portrayal of suicide and suicidal behaviour
• Continuing to promote and support learning, information and monitoring systems and research to improve understanding of suicide and self harm in Wales and guide action.

At the time of the launch Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said:

“Suicide is usually in response to a complex series of factors, which are both personal and related to wider social and community influences. It is a tragedy for all concerned and is a cause of distress for many people – the individual, family, friends, professionals and the wider community.

“It is estimated that for every person who dies through suicide at least six others are significantly and directly affected. Many others may be indirectly affected. Losing someone through suicide can be particularly traumatic and difficult to cope with; its impacts are psychological, spiritual and economic.

“Our five-year strategy aims to promote, co-ordinate and support plans and programmes to reduce suicide and prevent self harm at national, regional and local levels.

“Prevention of suicide and self harm is a major challenge for us all, but no single organisation or government department can tackle this issue in isolation. The successful implementation of Together for Mental Health, the Measure and Talk to Me 2 will make a significant contribution to the prevention of suicide and self harm in Wales.”

Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90 (24-hour national helpline)