Our view: Urgent action essential as mental health professionals highlight ‘deeply unsettling’ suicide statistics

Influential mental health organisation the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, (BACP), has called for urgent action after official statistics showed suicide rates in England and Wales have reached a 20-year high.

In a report issued this week, the BACP cited Office of National Statistics, (ONS) data illustrating the scale of the issue: a total of 6,069 suicides in England and Wales in 2023 – an increase from 5,642 in 2022, and the highest rate since 1999.

Three-quarters of the recorded deaths were male, but the female suicide rate also reached its highest level since 1994.

The BACP,  the professional body for those who work in members of the counselling professions said, prevention services needed funding.

Staff at The New Futures Project are involved in suicide prevention work in Leicester and the wider county.

Carl Martin, our direct services manager, said: “We are aware of these figures and it is extremely concerning.

“It is likely that only a concerted effort by all involved and increased funding will be able to stop this trend.

“The voluntary sector will need supporting because it is clear that the complexity and severity of cases, has a knock-on effect in terms of service provision and staff well-being.”

Jeremy Bacon, the BACP’s lead on third sector issues, said: “These latest suicide figures are deeply unsettling and should act as a wake-up call to governments across the UK to provide urgent focus on prevention and early intervention.

“We’re hearing from our members that they’re seeing an increased complexity of client issues, with many people deferring seeking help until they reach crisis point.

“It’s essential that counselling and psychotherapy is easily accessible and available to anyone who is at risk of suicide or self-harm, as well as those who are affected by these issues. 

“Suicide is the main cause of death in people under 35 in the UK and for every one of those people, there’s a personal tragedy and the grief of loved ones left behind.

“From a third sector perspective, these statistics highlight the stark impact of the funding crisis that has seen many community-based services reduce their delivery or close waiting lists in the face of rising demand, and has even forced some services to close.

“This often leaves gaps in vital support that were known to be more accessible and acceptable than mainstream NHS services.

“We strongly urge the government to consider investing more in timely and appropriate services for suicide prevention in the next budget.”

The BACP is part of the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA), which works to reduce suicide and help people get access to support when they need it.

 It has complied a range of suicide prevention resources –  here – including presentations, articles and good practice guides.

The New Futures Project was set up more than 20 years ago to support women involved in sex work.

However, we have evolved into a comprehensive welfare and counselling service for women and young people dealing with sexual abuse or exploitation, domestic violence, trafficking, poverty and debt, substance use or mental ill-health.

Call us on 0116 251 0803 or send us a message at: info@new-futures.org.uk

You can find us at 71 London Road, Leicester, LE2 0PE.

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