The pandemic has led to more people having suicidal thoughts, according to a new report.

After years of the suicide rate falling in Scotland there has been a rise in recent years.

The year of the pandemic 2020 saw a slight fall but researchers have evidence to show people’s mental health has been affected to show more people having suicidal thoughts.

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The report, by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, showed a marked increase in suicide among people in the most deprived communities compared with the least deprived.

And men aged 35 to 54 are the group with the highest rate.

Younger people have seen an increase in self-harming since the pandemic

The report states: “Research has also suggested that the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of self-harm in the UK. 

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“In Scotland, the number of child (under 18) inpatients diagnosed with self-harm related injuries in Scottish NHS acute hospitals increased by 22.8% between 2019 and 2020 and by a further 21.8% between 2020 and 2021.”

For all people the rate of suicide in 2020 was 14.7 per 100,000.

For men it was 21.5 and 14.2 for women.

Since 2008, however, the 35-44 age group has generally had the highest suicide rate amongst males. 

Since 2000, the suicide rate has been highest for females in either the 35-44 or the 45-54 age group.

In the most deprived areas the rate is far higher for men and women than in the least deprived.

The report stated: “Public Health Scotland found that suicide deaths were approximately three times more likely among those living in the most deprived areas of Scotland compared to those living in the least deprived areas.”

For men the rate in the 20% most deprived areas has declined but is still highest, at 36.5 per 100,000.

In the least deprived areas the corresponding figure is 9.6 per 100,000.

For women the gap is narrower but still notable.

In the most deprived areas it is 11.7 per 100,000 to 3.9 per 100,000.  

The study found younger people were having suicidal thoughts which increased in the early months of the pandemic and lockdown.

It found: “In Spring 2020, 10.3% of all participants reported having suicidal thoughts, which included 21.1% of young adults reporting having suicidal thoughts.

“A mental health tracker survey in Summer 2020, this was 13.3% for all participants and 26.3% of young adults.”

A new Scottish Government strategy on preventing suicide is due in September.