Suicide rates among middle-aged men in England and Wales have reached their highest level since records began, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics. Men in their early 50s were more likely to die by suicide than any other group last year, and the rate for men aged 50 to 54 rose to 28 per 100,000.
The data show 6,162 suicide deaths were registered in 2025, down slightly from 6,190 the previous year, while the overall rate remained broadly the same at 11.3 deaths per 100,000 people. Almost a third of deaths were among men aged 45 to 64, where the rate increased to 23.8 per 100,000, the highest since data collection began in 1981. Suicides also rose among pensioners, with the biggest increase among those aged 75 and older.
Mark Winstanley, chief executive of Rethink Mental Illness, said the rate remained "stubbornly high" and pointed to pressures including financial issues, job insecurity, rising housing costs, loneliness and poor mental health. He said many people were reaching crisis point without getting the help they need.
Sonya Trivedy of Samaritans said the figures show suicide rates are among the highest recorded this century and criticised successive governments for failing to make prevention a priority, calling for meaningful action and proper funding. Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of Sane, said she was not surprised, noting that almost 60 per cent of her charity's callers now talk about suicide or self-harm.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing