Government won’t be complacent despite 11% suicide drop, says minister

The Government will not be complacent despite an 11% drop in probable suicides, a minister has said.

According to statistics released by the National Records of Scotland on Tuesday, the number of probable suicides in 2024 fell to the lowest since 2017, with 704 recorded – 86 fewer than the previous year.

But those in the most deprived areas of Scotland were two-and-a-half times more likely to take their own lives, according to the figures, with a rate of 7.4 per 100,000 in the least deprived areas compared to 18.7 in the poorest areas.

Visiting a mental health centre in Perth as the figures were released, mental health minister Tom Arthur expressed his condolences to anyone who had lost a love one to suicide, adding: “The decline in the number of probable suicides is encouraging, but we will not be complacent.

“Our aim is for anyone, regardless of age, who has thoughts of taking their own life, or is affected by suicide, to get the help they need.

“Together with Cosla and our partners, Suicide Prevention Scotland, we are driving forward our 10-year suicide prevention strategy to deliver on our ambition to reduce suicide deaths in Scotland.”

He added: “At its heart is tackling the underlying factors and inequalities which cause suicide and supporting people most at risk, including those living in poverty, middle aged men and those in rural areas.

“We increased our investment in suicide prevention to £2.8 million for the current financial year, meeting our commitment to double the suicide prevention budget in the current parliamentary term.

“We are committed to building a Scotland where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected. We will continue to listen, learn, and act – guided by evidence and compassion.”

Alex Cumming, the executive director of delivery and service development for Scottish Action on Mental Health, said every death by suicide was “devastating” and each impacts an average of 135 people.

“We need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to support people who’ve lost someone to suicide and my heart goes out to all of them,” he added.

“We cannot read too much into a single year of data, especially after rising numbers in recent years, but the fall in deaths by suicide in 2024 is welcome.

“We need to re-double our collective efforts to prevent suicide across Scotland to make sure that the rate continues to go down and more lives are saved.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said behind the reported deaths by suicide was “hundreds of people let down in their hour of need and families destroyed”.

“It is a scandal that suicide rates remain so much higher in the poorest communities,” she added.

“More must be done to ensure that people can get the help they need when they need it – whether it’s improving care for those in crisis, tackling long waits for mental health support, or providing the wider support people need.”