Andrew RT Davies MS – the Shadow Minister for Health – has reacted with concern to statistics published today (September 1) from the ONS about the prevalence of suicide in Wales.
The figures, for 2019, indicate that although the number of deaths from suicide in Wales for males has been volatile, the overall number of deaths per 100,000 is now 18.8 compared to 16.0 in 1981 (165 deaths to 248 deaths). The average for England and Wales is 16.9 deaths per 100,000, itself the highest rate observed since 2000.
Figures for female suicides in Wales increased from 4.0 deaths per 100,000 in 2016 (57 deaths) to 5.8 deaths (82 deaths) last year. The England and Wales average is 5.3 per 100,000, the highest seen since 2004.
Mr Davies said:
“Let’s not forget that these figures don’t show the attempted suicides, only, tragically, those where a death was recoded.
“And each death from suicide is a tragedy, first for the person going through such psychological turmoil, then their families, but also for the emergency and medical services who have to work through each case, and in some cases the teachers of children who lose a parent.
“We Welsh Conservatives have – throughout the pandemic and lockdown – been concerned at diagnoses missed and treatments not started, and in many cases, we tend to think just about people with physical conditions.
“However, anecdotally, we hear about the psychological effect that the lockdown has had on people, some who may have been experiencing difficulties before.
“So it’s absolutely critical that the Health Minister and his party get things moving, assess how many people may be at risk, and get some of our most vulnerable people the help they need as a priority before we have a crisis in our country.”
Notes
Source material can be found here.