The latest ONS Statistics

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that suicide rates in England and Wales have stayed worryingly high.

In 2024, 6,190 people died by suicide. That’s the equivalent of 11.4 deaths per 100,000 people. That’s almost unchanged from last year, which means the crisis hasn’t eased, as we’d hoped to see.

Sadly for us, in 2024 the North East had the highest suicide rate in England, at 15.1 per 100,000 people.

For men, the numbers are particularly stark where three in every four deaths were male, with the highest rates among those aged 50 to 54. For women, the highest rate was among those aged 45 to 49.

And of course, we know that behind every one of these numbers is a person who was loved, and a family or friendship circle that’s been torn apart.

Each death leaves behind layers of grief, guilt and confusion that can last a lifetime. At Headlight Project, we see that reality every day through the families and individuals who reach out for therapy after losing someone to suicide.

We also see the ripple effects across communities. When suicide rates stay high, more people are living with loss. More schools, workplaces and teams need help to understand how to support others and how to prevent future tragedies. It’s a cycle of pain that we’re determined to break.

Our therapy work gives adults and children the space to process their grief and find their way forward. And our training helps schools, businesses and community groups learn how to spot the signs of someone struggling and how to reach out before it’s too late.

These latest figures show that this work has never been more important. Suicide rates aren’t falling. Instead, they’re holding steady at some of the highest levels we’ve seen in years. That means we need to keep talking, keep training, and keep showing up for one another.

If you’ve been bereaved by suicide, please know you’re not alone. And if you’re in a position to make a difference – as a teacher, manager, colleague or friend – please consider learning more about our prevention training.