London has lowest registered suicide rate for an English city this decade

London has lowest registered suicide rate for an English city this decade and is a third below the national average, new ONS data has shown.

The London rate of 7.1 per 100,000 people is lower than that of other major cities such as Manchester (13.1), Liverpool (13.7), Birmingham (9.4), Newcastle (11.2) and Bristol (12.5).

This comes as the 2024 registered suicide rate in England and Wales is the highest of the millennium, at 11.4 per 100,000 – a 14% increase since 2020 and 11% higher than the 2001-2024 national average.

Despite promising figures, many believe there is still work to be done both in London and nationally, particularly to help young people.

Paul Noblet, Interim Head of External Affairs and Research at YoungMinds, said: “Growing up today is incredibly tough and many young people are experiencing multiple pressures which harm their mental health, including poverty, academic pressures, and the online world. 

“All these factors were intensified during the pandemic and have contributed to record numbers of NHS referrals for mental health support, with many young people facing long waits and becoming more unwell as a result. 

“It’s incredibly distressing when a young person experiences suicidal thoughts and much more needs to be done to prevent young people reaching crisis point and to help them get the support they need. 

“The Government must focus on getting waiting lists down and addressing the root causes of poor mental health.”

Richmond had the second-highest suicide rate (9.6 per 100,000) in London during the latest period (2022-2024).

A Richmond Council Spokesperson said: “Richmond council acknowledges the significance of this data and is committed to strengthening suicide prevention efforts alongside health and community organisations to reduce the number to zero.

“As part of the review process of Richmond’s Suicide and Self Harm Prevention Strategy (2022 – 2025), we are evaluating which interventions are working and where changes need to be made. 

“As a result of this process, we will be developing a new strategy to ensure we are making a difference for mental health across the borough.

“We are focused on suicide prevention in Richmond and ensuring residents know where to find help.”

The council spokesperson added that they been developing and delivering various interventions in the community, such as mental health first aid, self-harm and suicide prevention online toolkit for children and young people, suicide prevention training for GPs, suicide awareness and responses training for social workers, community, and voluntary sector staff and improvements to real-time suicide surveillance in the borough. 

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of mental health charity SANE, added that there is still a long way to go in terms of mental health support across England and Wales.

She said: “It is disturbing to see that rates remain high with middle-aged men still at greatest risk. 

“A significant number of suicides could be prevented if people reaching crisis point were able to receive an immediate response with follow-up care and treatment when they need it.

“Professionals and the public must be less afraid and reluctant to get involved as failure to act leads too often to missing the critical moment when intervention and compassion could save a troubled person’s life.”

The London Borough of Enfield has the lowest rate of registered suicide in England and Wales this decade at 4.9, while also recording the second lowest rate since 2001 at 6.38 per 100,000, higher only than Wokingham, Berkshire at 6.37.

Registered suicide data is based on when the death was registered, not when it occurred, with delays in registration meaning only a proportion of deaths registered in a given year would have occurred in the same year.

For example, of all suicides registered in 2023, the majority (51 percent) actually occurred in 2022.

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

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