Suicide rate fell during first lockdown, new data shows

The most notable decreases were found amongst those aged 10 to 24

ONS data found that suicide rates fell during the first coronavirus lockdown in 2020 (AFP via Getty Images)

The suicide rate in England and Wales fell during the first national Covid-19 lockdown, new data from the Office for National Statistics shows.

An analysis of ONS death registration data revealed that 1,603 suicides occurred between April and July 2020, which represents a drop of 18 per cent from the same period in 2019. The figure is also 12.7 per cent below the average for the previous five years.

The preliminary figure equates to a mortality rate of 9.2 deaths by suicide per 100,000 people, which is significantly lower than rates for the period of April through July in the previous three years, and comparable to the 2016 rate.

Although around three quarters of the suicides recorded during the first national lockdown were among men, there was actually a drop in the male suicide rate falling to 13.9 deaths per 100,000 men compared with 16.9 per 100,000 in 2019. The female rate remained relatively constant, at 4.7 deaths per 100,000 women, compared with 5.3 per 100,000 in 2019.

It was also noted in the data that in terms of age, the largest decrease was witnessed amongst those aged 10 to 24. This age group was found to have experienced 4.4 deaths by suicide per 100,000 in 2020, down 30.2 per cent from the 6.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2019.

The ONS said that while the latest data is likely an underestimate, as more suicides may yet be reported, it would take an “unfeasibly large” number of late registrations to reverse the trend and show an increase in suicides during the first lockdown.

Julie Stanborough, the head health analysis and life events at the ONS, said: “The latest available evidence shows that suicide rates did not an increase during the early stages of the pandemic, which is contrary to some speculation at the time.

“Instead, we found suicide rates to be lower between April and July 2020, the first wave of Covid-19 in England and Wales, when compared to the same period in previous years.”

Jacqui Morrissey, assistant director of research and influencing at The Samaritans, said that the latest ONS data for England and Wales was reassuring. “It confirms that there was no dramatic increase in suicide rates during the early phase of the pandemic, contrary to what may have been expected.

“In fact, fewer people died by suicide in the early months of the pandemic than in the same period in previous years and research suggests this may be down to people pulling together and looking out for one another more.

“However this data is now over a year old and we know that the pandemic is going to have a long-lasting impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing so there is no room for complacency.

“The government must put suicide prevention at the heart of post-pandemic recovery plans and, if this drop is to be more than just a one off, introduced a national system of real-time suicide reporting that means we can rely on accurate, up-to-date information for tackling suicide and measuring progress.”

Professor of psychiatry Louis Appleby, of the University of Manchester, said: “The mental health of young people has been a major concern during the pandemic and there is evidenced of greater distress, yet this does not seem to have translated into higher suicide rates.

He added that social cohesion, mutual support, and committed charities and services likely played a role in keeping suicide rates down, and emphasised the need to ensure we don’t lose the current momentum around suicide prevention.

While other countries have also seen their suicide rates fall, many experts say that it is too early to definitively say that suicide rates have decreased during the pandemic.

Suicides in the US appear to have fallen by 5.6 per cent in 2020 – the largest decline in America’s suicide rate in around 40 years.

In Scotland the number of suicides also fell last year, with 805 suicides reported, down 3 per cent from 833 in 2019 according to government figures. In April, under the first national lockdown, the number of suicides was lower than the five-year average. But between June and September, following the lockdown, Scotland witnessed 28 per cent more suicides than usual.

Similarly, Japan witnessed a 20 per cent decrease in the number of suicides in the early months of 2020, followed by a spike in the summer, when a 7.7 per cent increase in suicides was reported, causing the national suicide rate exceeded past years’ rates. Data show that the increase was largely driven by female suicides, which experts believe was caused by the disproportionate impact that the pandemic has had on women, specifically in terms of adverse economic conditions and job losses.

Ann John, a professor in public health and psychiatry at Swansea University Medical School, wrote in the BMJ: “Any change in the risk of suicide associated with Covid-19 is likely to be dynamic”. She noted that previous epidemics had witnessed “honeymoon periods” in which short-term decreases in the number of suicides occur initially, before a corresponding uptick is noted.

She added: “Trends in certain groups may be hidden when looking at overall rates,” and emphasised the need to focus on preventative action.

Caroline Harper, mental health lead at Bupa said that the pandemic has been a challenging period, and highlighted the need for continued awareness of mental health support as the UK recovers from the pandemic.

She said: “Suicidal thoughts and feelings can affect anyone at any time, regardless of your age, gender, or background.

“There’s no ‘one reason’ that causes you to experience these thoughts, any changes to your life can affect how you feel, and these can happen to anyone.”

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.