Every day around two people die from suicide in Scotland.
In 2022 there were 762 probable suicides in Scotland.
Research shows that up to 135 people can be affected in some way by every suicide death.
Statistics
Reportable statistics on suicide come annually from the National Records of Scotland. These national statistics have shown us that some groups in the population have higher rates of death by suicide than others.
Just under three quarters of all suicides in Scotland are male
46% of people who died by suicide were aged 35-54 years old
People living in Scotland’s most deprived areas are more than twice as likely to die by suicide than those living in the least deprived areas
31% of people who died by suicide in Scotland had contact with mental health services in the 12 months prior to their death
Tayside
Each area of Scotland has its own further breakdown of relevant information which they use to inform and plan local suicide prevention measures. The factors identified for Scotland are relevant in Tayside and the statistics show similar trends.
The mean age of people who died by suicide in Tayside is 44 years old
79% of Tayside suicide deaths were male
42% of people had contact with mental health/substance use services in the 12 months prior to their death
50% of people who died by suicide in Tayside had a recorded history of problematic alcohol or substance use
While some groups may be statistically at higher risk than others, suicide can affect all ages, genders, ethnicities, and cultures.
Talking about suicide in open, compassionate ways can create a community where those who are feeling suicidal can feel safe asking for help.