Suicide rates among children and young people in England have risen by 50% in the last decade. The Office for National Statistics analysed data on nearly 12 million young people aged 15-25 from 2011 to 2022. There were 4,315 suicides over this period. In 2021-22, 440 young people died by suicide, a 47% increase from 300 deaths in 2011-12. The suicide rate per 100,000 children and young people rose 54%.

The ONS found higher suicide rates during summer exams and lower at the academic year’s start. Gemma Byrne of Mind highlighted the complexity of suicide causes and noted that over half a million under-18s are on mental health waiting lists, with one in four waiting over two years for care. Many young people lack timely community help.

An ONS spokesperson stated that due to low numbers and wide confidence intervals, we can’t draw meaningful conclusions from the variability in suicide rates among children and young people across the academic year.