Deaths from suicide in Scotland have risen for the second year in a row and have reached their highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mental Health Minister Maree Todd described the rise as “alarming” and said the increase was a driving force for change.

Figures released on Tuesday by the National Records of Scotland showed an increase of 30 probable deaths by suicide between 2022 and 2023, taking the total to 792.

This is the highest number since 2020, when 805 probable suicides were recorded, but still lower than the nine-year high in 2019, when 833 cases were recorded.

Last year, male suicides rose by 34 to 590, while female suicides fell by four to 202 deaths over the past year.

However, the suicide rate among men was more than three times higher than among women.

The average age of people committing suicide has also increased from 41.9 years in 2000 to 46.6 years in 2023.

In three council areas – Dundee City, the Highlands and East Ayrshire – the rate was statistically “significantly higher” than the Scottish average, a similar pattern to 2022 data.

Comparable statistics for the rest of the UK for 2023 have not yet been published, according to National Records for Scotland.

Data from 2022 showed Scotland has the highest rate of deaths by suicide in the UK, at 14.0 deaths per 100,000 people.

In Wales there were 12.5 deaths per 100,000, in Northern Ireland 12.3 deaths per 100,000 and in England 10.5 deaths per 100,000.

Phillipa Haxton, head of vital events statistics, said: “The suicide death rate has been consistently higher among men and over the past 30 years has been around three times higher than among women.

“The most deprived areas of Scotland had 2.5 times more deaths from suicide than the least deprived areas.

“For most of the past decade, suicide rates were highest in small, remote towns and lowest in large urban areas.”

The Scottish Government said it is working with local governments to reduce deaths from suicide by providing support to all those at risk or affected, while addressing underlying factors such as inequalities, stigma and discrimination, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

Self-harm is also a risk factor for suicide. Last year, the world’s first action plan focused solely on tackling the problem was launched.

This included funding for a new service that will ensure anyone affected by self-harm can access compassionate support, without fear of stigma or discrimination.

Mental Health Minister Maree Todd said: “It is distressing to read this report and I offer my sincere condolences to all those who have been affected by the loss of a loved one to suicide.

“Our priority is to reach more people at increased risk of suicide, including those living in poverty, middle-aged men and the LGBT community.

“We are launching an online portal to ensure people experiencing suicidal thoughts know where to seek help. The introduction of suicide reviews this year will also help us identify missed opportunities to support people and, importantly, use this knowledge to redesign services.

“Our wider mental health work is also helping to prevent suicide. This includes funding over 800 additional mental health workers in emergency departments, GP surgeries, police custody suites and prisons, and investing in our Mental Health and Community Wellbeing Fund, which prioritises suicide prevention and social isolation projects.”

Billy Watson, Chief Executive of SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), said: “It’s really important that we remember that behind every single one of these deaths is an individual, their loved ones, their colleagues and their community.

“Research suggests that death by suicide affects as many as 135 people and as a society we need to make sure we support them through these most difficult times.

“We need to be careful not to interpret data from one year too hastily, but this increase in deaths follows a smaller increase last year.

“There is a proven link between economic crises and suicidal behavior. We can’t say that the increase is a result of this, but the numbers coincide with a significant increase in the cost of living.

“Increased investment in suicide prevention across Scotland is essential. The Scottish Government has committed to increasing the suicide prevention budget to £2.8 million by the end of this Parliament.

“This will not be enough and the resources of the Government’s ten-year national suicide prevention strategy plan and COSLA – not launched until 2022 – need to be reviewed early. Investment needs to be increased where risks – including the cost of living and ongoing capacity issues in the mental health system – are higher.

“At SAMH, we help build personal and community capacity to discuss, prevent, and cope with suicide. We have potentially life-saving conversations with people experiencing suicidal thoughts every day.

“But getting those numbers down — giving more people the tools to help and convincing more people that their lives matter — is going to take all of us. The time for suicide prevention is now.”

Help and support is available now if you need it. Details of available services can be found at stv.tv/advice

You can contact the Samaritans at any time, from any phone, free of charge on 116 123, by e-mail at [email protected]or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch. Details of other services and more information can be found on the NHS website Here.

Follow STV News on WhatsApp

Scan the QR code on your mobile device to receive the latest news from all over the country