SNP MUST ‘ACT NOW TO SAVE LIVES’ AFTER MALE SUICIDES RISE

There were 2.5 times more deaths in the most deprived areas of Scotland than in the least deprived areas.

It is the second year in a row that suicide numbers have increased, bringing the total number of deaths to suicide in Scotland over the last decade to 7,505.

Yet distressingly, those with mental health problems who ask for help are struggling to get it – 29,569 people were on the waiting list for specialist mental health services at the end of March 2024, including 5,557 children and young people.

And figures obtained by Scottish Labour earlier this year indicated a mental health timebomb is coming, with the number of urgent referrals to Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services rising across the country.

Paul Sweeney, Scottish Labour’s spokesperson on Mental Health, said: “Each of these deaths could have been prevented – and with men and those in deprived areas most at risk, it is clear this is not just a story of personal tragedies but a public health challenge.

“If someone takes the step of asking for help, we need to ensure that they have the appropriate support in their community to build up the resilience they need, rather than ending up on yet another waiting list. The SNP government must act now to save lives and ensure that those referred to mental health services get the treatment they need. “Scottish Labour will do everything in its power to reverse this alarming trend and ensure that mental health gets parity with physical health.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, right,  said:  “Suicide has a devastating and everlasting impact on families and communities. These figures are a sharp reminder of the urgent need to strengthen prevention and support all those struggling.

“In recent years, Scots have dealt with Covid lockdowns, the soaring cost of living and the SNP’s reckless decision to cut £50m from the mental health budget.

“Mental services are stretched thin, with thousands of children and adults are waiting more than a year for the treatment they desperately need.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats want a properly funded, world-beating system that will provide robust 24/7 crisis care and swift support for those who need it. As well as providing fresh funds for local and accessible mental health services, my party wants to roll out more counsellors in schools, GPs, A&E departments and alongside police and prison staff.”