Tragic suicide statistics in Scotland highlight need for more comprehensive response to mental health needs of young

Overall there were 805 deaths by suicide in Scotland in 2020, a decrease of 28 (3%) on the year before.

Of these, 93 deaths by suicide were people under the age of 25 compared to 110 deaths by suicide in the same age group in 2019.

And the suicide rate in Scotland’s most deprived areas is three times the rate in the least deprived areas.

In the face of these tragic statistics, Barnardo’s has called for a more comprehensive response to the mental health needs of Scotland’s children and young people including:

• Much greater investment in support to families through a network of family support services that offer a wide range of help within communities across Scotland
• Increased mental health services to support children & young people’s emotional wellbeing, working closely with existing CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services)
• Better support to groups of young people who have particular support needs such as care leavers e.g. tailored housing support through the Barnardo’s Gap Homes initiative
• More consistent triggering of significant case reviews in the case of child deaths so that we learn all the lessons to prevent further tragedies and identify where resources and support need to be targeted.

Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said:

“Every death from suicide is a tragedy and it’s extremely upsetting that 93 young people took their own lives last year.

“Although rates of suicide have fallen, the pace of change is nowhere near enough.

“During the pandemic, many of the young people we support have reported increased anxiety and isolation which can lead to a deterioration in their mental health. If we are to reduce the number of suicides among young people then we need a comprehensive approach that addresses the mental health crisis with better community support and more targeted help.”