Suicide rates among young people aged 15-19 in England rose by 35% from 2020 to 2021, according to data from the Office for National Statistics analysed by charity YoungMinds.
The youth mental health charity is calling for urgent government support as the new data comes alongside a growing crisis in the NHS and schools. In 2020, 147 young people aged 15-19 in England took their own lives. This rose to 198 in 2021. This is the highest number in 30 years.
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‘These numbers paint a shocking picture of the state of young people’s mental health in this country. This cannot go on. Government must get a grip of the situation,’ said Emma Thomas, Chief Executive of YoungMinds.
‘Young people are struggling to access the support they desperately need, and the dramatic rise in suicides is truly alarming. We know that professionals, from the NHS to school classrooms, are doing all they can to support the record numbers of young people struggling with their mental health but without government support, they can only offer a sticking plaster.’
In 2020, 147 young people aged 15-19 in England took their own lives. This rose to 198 in 2021. This is the highest number in over 30 years. NHS data released today also reveals 2022 is set to see the highest ever number of referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Figures to date show the number of under 18s needing NHS treatment is 23% higher than at the same point last year.
‘We know that professionals, from the NHS to school classrooms, are doing all they can to support the record numbers of young people struggling with their mental health but without government support, they can only offer a sticking plaster,’ added Ms Thomas.
‘This is why we are calling for more resources for the NHS, so young people, particularly those in crisis, can access help quickly.’