Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders has called to increase mental health support awareness, as recently released figures reveale suicide rates in Wales are the second-highest of the regions in Great Britain, with rates amongst males significantly higher than females.
Local Assembly Member, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said:
“These figures paint a devastating picture for so many absolutely desperate people, and their families and loved ones. Each tragic death is a truly terrible story, and my heart goes out to each and every person who have been affected by suicide in anyway.
“No one should suffering from suicidal thoughts should ever feel that they are alone or without support, and I urge anyone who is feeling this way, or knows of anyone who might need help, to seek it out – contact your GP or reach out to a friend.
“Speaking up can be incredibly hard, but help is available out there, and we must work to promote this and get the message out to all who need this.
“The Welsh Labour Government must do far more to improve access and availability of mental health services across the country.
“There are some wonderful organisations working in Aberconwy who offer support, listening, advocacy and advice services.
To contact Samaritans, call 08457 90 90 90, email jo@samaritans.org or find the details for your local branch at samaritans.org.
Notes:
The full data set, including breakdown by country, age and gender, is available here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2016registration
Notably:
· Overall, the male age-specific suicide rate is around three times higher than the female.
· The greatest disparity is between men (14.9*) and women (3.3) aged 80 to 84, where men in this age group are more than four and a half times more likely to die by suicide.
· Males aged 15 to 19 (7.1) are only two and a half times more likely to die from suicide than females (2.9).
· The suicide rate for middle-aged men, notably those aged 40 to 44 (23.7), and 90 and over (22.6), is particularly high. [Rates stated are per 100,000 population.]
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