Suicidology summary for the UK 2024 – 2025
Last updated 27/02/2026
Trigger warning throughout as there are talks of suicide.
Danielle Shaw – Suicidologist
Suicidal thoughts are a pathway of an individuals mind for a means of escape. Meaning when one is within suicidal ideation or actions they are generally experiencing trauma of the mind.
Nobody wants to feel suicidal, it is not a nice feeling to feel. From experience when I have been suicidal it has been because I have wanted to escape the feeling that I am feeling.
But remember each person is different and experiences these thoughts in different manners.
Trauma to the mind can come from anywhere, we can lose something or someone and feel the depths of sorrow, we can have our physical health decrease or be in a life-changing event and have our whole world tipped upside down in a matter of minutes. Ultimately, trauma is trauma and we all experience it in different ways.
Childhood trauma can also have a huge effect on our adulthood, even if we don’t recall events our bodies can without us even realising. Causing anxiety and fight or flight mode to be activated. Please see blog on trauma from nowhere or moving on from trauma.
PLEASE REMEMBER YOU ARE GOING TO BE OKAY
If you are struggling and can not regulate your thoughts please reach out, we have SAPUK available everyday 6am – 11pm. Alternatively there is The Hub of Hope, MIND, Papyrus, or Samaritans.
Healing from suicidal thoughts
When researching how to heal from suicidal thoughts, the most strongest links are those with Physiology – physiology is our body. During trauma we must still be taking care of our bodies, such as drinking water, (coaching session coming soon), eating as healthy as we can and releasing any stress inducing measures.
Followed by this is talking, the importance of talking to someone who understands is crucial in a quicker healing path, it gives you the connection that somebody else can be compassionate with what you are feeling, it also gives you guidance with hope that you know somebody else has made it through.
Try not to isolate, suicidal thoughts can be belittling, to the point that you don’t want anybody else to see how you are feeling, it is okay to not be okay, those that love you will consciously blanket you.
Isolation is okay if you are understanding yourself -> please see article on solitude, or if you are processing why you are feeling this way, but if you feel like you may be a danger to yourself – please seek immediate support.
Below I have summarised information from across the UK. Last year the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) made available a £10 million grant fund to support suicide prevention activities delivered in England by voluntary, community or social enterprise.
Above is a list of organisations within receipt of this funding
Including in this the government also funded £75 million into the cause, there is not list of organisations within funding for this, it has been sought but no luck as of yet.
Suicide deaths over the years have slowly risen, the updated data from ONS for 2025 has not been publicly released yet. Below are most recent reports for the UK.
Suicide deaths that have been reported for England in 2022 are 5,846
Suicide deaths that have been reported for England in 2023 are 5,418 / 5,570
Suicide deaths that have been reported for England in 2024 are 5,717 / 6,190
(There are two different sources for analysing data from)
In 2025, January to March, 1,308 suicides were registered
April to June, 1,433 suicides were registered
For 2025 data from the ONS it has been noted that the data has been concluded and estimated over a two-year period from October 2023 – October 2025 with no real time monthly data, it has been suggested that there are similarities and not many changes. The data provided is given in formulation 10.1 out of 100,000 as appose to previous years where real data has been released and concluded, I will be following this up to hopefully release monthly published data figures.
Although recently, research has shown that the ONS have had many recent negative implications via the watchdog and BBC reporters, saying data provided is not a current reliable source, this was Summer 2025.
2024 UK Facts TRIGGER WARNING. IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING PLEASE SEEK IMMEDIATE HELP.
- Highest suicide rates in the country were seen in the North East.
- Lowest suicide rates in the country were seen in London.
- When comparing 2023 and 2024, the rate of suicides registered increased in four of nine regions in England.
- The largest increase was in Yorkshire and The Humber with the rate of suicides registered increasing
- The biggest decrease was in the East of England.
- Those aged 50 to 54 years had the highest suicide rate again in 2024. This age group have had the highest rate for suicide deaths registered each year since 2021.
- In England and Wales, males aged 50 to 54 years had the highest suicide rate across all age groups. This is a change from 2023 where males aged 45 to 49 years had the highest rate for suicide deaths registered.
- In 2024 females aged 45 to 49 years had the highest rate. A change from 2023 where females aged 50 to 54 years had the highest suicide rate.
- The most common method of suicide in England and Wales continued to be hanging, strangulation and suffocation, which accounted for 56.6% of all suicides in 2024 (3,504 deaths).
- The second most common method in 2024 continued to be poisoning (21.5% of suicide deaths registered; 1,331 deaths). This is an increase compared with 2023 where poisoning accounted for 19.8% of suicide deaths registered (1,202 suicide deaths).
Introduction
In the UK sadly we lose many people to a suicide death. If you are feeling this way, please reach out to someone – if you are struggling and need instant support. We have volunteers available at SAPUK everyday 6am – 11pm. For more information, please email myself danielle@suicideapuk.co.uk or the admin team admin@suicideapuk.co.uk
Hey, my name is Danielle Shaw, and I am a UK Suicidologist, I work with SAPUK and provide support, research and data analysis within my expertise. My topic of research is Suicidology; here I provide information and upcoming knowledge / information throughout the UK.
Many factors contribute to why someone may want to end their own life. Factors include, a traumatic event or a series of events, ongoing poor mental health, poor physical health, low local affluence, substance abuse and many more.
In recent years as the population has increased, we have seen a rise of the online world. Social media is quite present in many individuals lives with AI also contributing to many individuals’ daily routines (although there are not many publications on AI and its factors toward mental health). It can then encourage more complex hidden negative social factors. This can then increase the act of social isolation which can then encouraging more suicidal feelings. Please see article on mental health & social media for more information.
A range of feelings can be derived from being present online these include not feeling good enough online, the ease of comparison between social media profiles has also enabled individuals the ease of negative comparisons.
Poverty has also seen a rise in the last year, with more foodbanks being provided, many two income families are now also struggling with financial hardships.
Where is the data and information sourced
All information requiring a reliable source within this article has been sought. Which has been sourced from sources such as ONS, WHO, Samaritans, 2025 independent research publications.
As a Suicidologist and within my title I have also brought my collated information forward.
Positives within the data
Within the UK, we have many departments within the government who are working so that we are enabled real-time transparent data. This enables us as organisations, volunteers and workers to be provided with sufficient data to be able to progress with our future support and where it is needed. Including information on methods of suicide, heightened areas and data per 100,000 including quarterly analyses. The data provided is broken down into age groups and is divided between male & female.
The data is consistent to analyse.
Implications within the data
There are several implications with the data that is provided for real time suicide statistics. These are including registration delays, under 10’s are also not included. Within the data some suicide deaths where not recorded as a suicide on individuals of the ages under 15.
Because of the length of time it takes for a suicide death to be officially registered, there is always a lag in when the registrar can publish data on suicide occurrences. A coroner must certify a suicide death, usually following an inquest. The median time taken to register a suicide death in 2024 was 199 days in England and 269 days in Wales.
When individuals pass away, they must go through stages, including that with a registered coroner. Here the coroner spends time concluding how an individual has passed away. On occasions the coroner must determine whether the death was caused by suicide. When undergoing this assessment, the coroner must align with certain proofs, this is called a standard of proof, this standard was lowered to a ‘civil standard’ in July 2018 from a ‘criminalised standard’ which saw an increase in deaths registered for suicide.
There is data within the data that is classed as accidental and is not registered as a suicide death. Between years 2013 – 2023 accidental hanging increased by 7.1%. Accidental drowning increased by 0.2% and accidental poisoning increased by 47%. Hard-to-code data is also not included in suicide reporting.
Breakdown below –
Suicide deaths that have been publicly reported for England in 2024 are 5,717.
Breakdown of data for the deaths of UK & wales
In 2024 a total of 531,964 deaths where registered in England – link here https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/deathregistrationsummarystatisticsenglandandwales2024
The data provided is available to view on the ONS website via the above link. Please note that below the data has been deemed as accidental or with another cause of intent. Data that has been reported as registered deaths that could align with a suspected suicide for 2024 include –
Intentional self-harm in males was 4,133, and in females it was 1,356 – 5,489 in total, this is included in the registered suicide deaths.
In the 2024 registered deaths data, it was seen that 16,939 male and, 26,672 females where registered as a death caused by mental and behavioural disorders. This conclude that individuals with a mental health disorder can have more chance at chronic health conditions.
People with mental health conditions are more likely to develop chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, due to the interconnected nature of physical and mental health. This relationship highlights the importance of integrated care that addresses both mental and physical health needs.
When looking into this in depth, it is very confusing as to what information is correct. If someone has bipolar and the develops heart disease or diabetes, it is stated that it is registered as heart disease or bipolar but the data released implies that it is listed as bipolar.
I am currently enquiring about this, so will update this accordingly. But none the less awareness for mental and behavioural disorders needs to be created, as this is a lot of deaths per year.
I have taken the time to go through the deaths data released by ONS, but you can have a look yourself via the link above.
On the mental and behavioural list, below are the categories that are included when registering a death this way. F00-F09 Organic, including symptomatic, mental disorders references Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cognitive illnesses that are similiar natured.
When looking through the categories and understanding what they mean, they are such as, manic episodes, bi-polar disorder, depressive episode, anxiety disorders, pretty much all mental illnesses.
Furthermore, there was more via mental and behavioural disorders due to psychoactive substance abuse, 872 deaths in males, 404 deaths in females.
Accidental drowning showed that 213 males died this way, and 83 females.
Accidental poisoning, 6,841 males 1,952, females. This figure included overdosing on psycho-active substances such as a class a drug. Inhalation of necrotic substances at work etc.
Event of undetermined intent, males 466, females 235, this is where the coroner does not know the individual’s intent on death.
Intentional self-harm and event of undetermined intent, males 4,599, females 1,591. This is where there is clear understanding of self-harm, but the coroner cannot determine a suicide death.
The total deaths registered as accidental / undetermined deaths / mental and behavioural deaths that potentially need more awareness bringing to it are 60,867.
When researching the summary was that people with mental disorders can have a higher risk of heart disease, organ failures, diabetes or a death from various causes, including suicide, accidents, and other physical health issues related to their condition. Serious mental illnesses can lead to significant impairments in functioning and increase the likelihood of engaging in high-risk behaviors, which can also contribute to an early mortality.
Personally, because I do have too many questions to ask about this. I do think more could align with suicidal intent if cross-examined again.
Historically
Historically suicide prevention only emerged socially in the 2000’s with many seeing a death by suicide as a criminal offence. It wasn’t until we as a nation started to understand behavioural and mental disorders properly and how they influence an individual in creating a suicidal mind.
Suicidal thoughts were misunderstood, leading to many misdiagnoses. Often individuals were locked away instead of supported.
Summary of the work done throughout the UK for prevention
UK Mental Health organisations list – Suicide Prevention support list.
There are over 100 suicide prevention organisations across the UK. All organisations are independently making a difference within their communities. Here are a few that I have found of most support, that I would recommend.
https://www.suicideapuk.co.uk Of course SAPUK, we have been called one of the best volunteer-led organisations of the UK – supporting suicidal thoughts and actions reductions.
https://www.hre4u.co.uk is a mental health CIC working to prevent suicides by providing mental health resources.
http://www.help4you.org.uk is a mental health charity working on reducing stress & anxiety.
https://www.safecutkits.co.uk/ are an organisation who opens the door for safe conversations around self-harm, including understanding & safety.
https://www.thebrotherscafe.co.uk/ The Brothers café In Wales is extremely supportive group.
https://behindthesmile.care – provide peer support for those struggling with their mental health.
I would also recommend getting involved with The Baton of Hope, if you have the opportunity, I was fortunate enough to be a part of this last year.
The government have a five-year strategy plan where they invest into different areas and deliver suicide prevention initiatives.
All the common ones well known ones also have support, Mind, Papyrus, Samaritans etc.
Worldwide suicide prevention
Lesotho currently has the highest suicide rate in the world, with an estimated 87.5 deaths per 100,000 people. This rate is significantly higher than that of other countries.
In 2023, it was reported that these five countries had the highest suicide rates.
In the USA they also have a higher population of male deaths, and lose over 50,000 per year annually.
Upcoming work throughout the UK
The National Suicide Prevention Conference – 22 Apr 2026
There are also more conferences available throughout the UK, please google, suicide prevention conferences 2026.
At SAPUK, we are doing 9 social anxiety reduction events collaborating with other organisations. We also provide Walk & Talks from the Preston area and Lancashire. We provide these in Dewsbury too, if you are looking for joining something similar, please search locally for ‘Walk & Talk near me’ – a bunch should pop up for you.
We also may be doing The Semicolon Festival again, just understanding the logistics behind this.
The UK Semicolon Tattoo Project starts 3rd / 4th April 2026. https://www.suicideapuk.co.uk/semicolonproject
World Semicolon Day 16th April
The Baton of Hope tour begins in September
Bryan’s 10 year anniversary and our 9th mountain climb September 4th
Suicide Prevention Day 10th September
More events to be added, if you would like to add an event please email me @ danielle@suicideapuk.co.uk
UK Suicidologists
Danielle Shaw, I have been a Suicidologist for four years now – https://www.danisace.com
Dr Alexis Palfreyman – Centre for Impact on Violence & health
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexispalfreyman
Hilary Causer – Social Scientist – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-causer-66980a1b0/
Dr Andrew Maleknia CPsychol AFBPsS
It was hard to find many UK Suicidologists; I thought the best place to find them was on LinkedIn.
Personal thoughts
Overall, the past year of initives have been incredible. So many people speaking up about suicide prevention and awareness which is so incredible to see. Thankyou hopefully we will have a lower loss of deaths regardless of final diagnosis.
Within the UK we have so many organisations actively trying to prevent suicides. Although, we shouldn’t still be losing so many when we have too much resources. As an example and I know others mirror this, at SAPUK we have worked off initiative and passion saving thousands with collaboration and optimism, we have never received a grant nor a budget. We are still a small organisation but we have just worked within the communities and asked of community donations. Although the last year or so and for most organisations donations have reduced.
I have had a really bad experience with LCC funding, what I have experienced in three different departments now is hurrendous. (Story coming soon)
My personal opinion from experience – I believe this is due to the mental health fund, this never ceased to exist. Keep the social care mental health fund, but remove the grants or show the lists of who recieves them. What i experienced showed me that something has to change.
If we removed the budget and put it back into the communities, donations would maybe rise again. SAPUK is almost ten years old and continues growing, with no grant nor budget and i know many others align too, i believe this is good evidence that it may not be needed? Anyway I will be looking into this soon.
anyway thankyou for reading 🫶🏽
If you would like to add in any information, please contact me on danielle@suicideapuk.co.uk.
Last updated February 2026. Will be updated throughout the year.