The number of Scots killing themselves has fallen, but there is still a big disparity between the rich and the poor
A drop in the suicide rate in Scotland has been welcomed by the Samaritans.
The number of people taking their own lives fell by 12.5 per cent in 2014 from 2013, figures released by National Records of Scotland show.
However, there is still a disparity between rich and poor – with those living in deprived areas most at risk.
The fall, recorded for the fourth year running, shows the suicide rate is 13.3 per 100,000, compared with 15.2 per 100,000 in 2013.
A total of 696 people took their own lives in Scotland in 2014, 497 men (a rate of 19.3 per 100,000) and did 199 women (7.2 per 100,000).
This is a decrease among men since 2013, but an increase among women.
The gap in suicide rates between the most and least deprived people in Scotland is a social injustice
James Jopling, Samaritans executive director for Scotland, said: “It is good news to see that the number of suicides in Scotland is at its lowest for almost 40 years. However, there is no room for complacency.
“Every one of the 696 people who took their own lives in 2014 was a friend, partner, child or relative. Although successive Scottish Governments have invested in efforts to reduce suicide, and shown a commitment to working co-operatively, there are still challenges which need to be tackled urgently.
“One of these is socio-economic deprivation, which increases the risk of suicide, especially among men. The suicide rate is three times higher among the most deprived people living in Scotland compared to the least deprived. And in 2014, men aged 35-44 took their own lives at almost treble the rate of the general population, at 36.7 per 100,000.
“Choose Life, the national suicide prevention strategy for Scotland, has contributed to our efforts to reduce suicide and introduced effective national and local measures to prevent suicide.”
The figures showed some regional variation, with rates in Highland and Inverclyde significantly higher than the overall rate.
Jopling said: “This highlights the importance of local suicide prevention plans and supporting relevant agencies to work together and share best practice. We need to keep making progress and continue investment to keep these resources in the place right across Scotland.
“The Scottish Government also needs to continue efforts to reduce inequality right across the country to support the further reduction of the numbers of people taking their own lives. The gap in suicide rates between the most and least deprived people living in Scotland, although now less marked than it was a decade ago, is a social injustice which demands our attention and further action.”
