Suicide rates in the young rise by 50% in a decade

Suicide rates among children and young people in England have increased by 50% in the past decade, according to figures published for the first time.

- Tobi Thomas Health and inequalities correspondent

The analysis looked at data from almost 12 million children and young people who were aged between 15 and 25 from 2011-12 to 2021-22.

A total of 440 young people killed themselves in 2021-22, an increase of 47% compared with 300 such deaths in 2011-22, according to analysis by the Office for National Statistics.

There were 4,315 suicides across the whole period.

The suicide rate in children and young people increased by 54% over the same period.

Suicide rates peaked around the summer exam period, showing an increased rate in the spring. Conversely, there was a slight decrease at the start of the academic year.