Suicide rates highest ever among middle-aged men

According to a study, the suicide rate among middle-aged men in the UK has reached a record high. The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that in 2020, the male suicide rate in the 45-49 age group was 23.5 per 100,000, the highest on record. This represents a 34% increase from 2019, when the rate was 17.7 per 100,000. The ONS also reported that the rate for men aged 50-54 increased to 24.1 per 100,000, up from 18.8 in 2019. The ONS did not provide a detailed explanation for the increase, but the charity Mind suggested that the pandemic may have contributed to the rise in suicides among middle-aged men. The charity's chief executive, Paul Farmer, stated that the pandemic has 'exacerbated existing societal pressures and challenges' that can lead to suicidal thoughts. He also noted that men are more likely to die by suicide than women, as they are less likely to seek help when struggling with their mental health.