World Suicide Prevention Day 2025

Mental Health Sep 25
Today, we join the global movement to change the narrative on suicide. Let’s replace silence with compassion, stigma with understanding, and isolation with connection.




I am always conscious, that when writing about suicide, we must preface it with the need to remember that some of what follows may be emotionally challenging for many. Thus, please read with care, pause if you need to, and remember that support is always available if you find the topics discussed within overwhelming.

With that being said, as today is World Suicide Prevention Day, it’s vitally important we are shining a light on suicide, a topic that’s tough but essential for Inspire North to understand in order to support those that rely on our services.

To put it into perspective, across England, near-real-time surveillance shows a suspected suicide rate of 11 deaths per 100,000 population as of January 2025. Males continue to be at markedly higher risk than females, with rates of 17.4 versus 5.0 per 100,000 population. With age-specific rates outlined below:

  • 10–24 years: 4.4 per 100,000
  • 25–44 years: (second highest)
  • 45–64 years: 15.6 per 100,000 (highest)
  • 65+ years: lower than 25–44 and 45–64 groups

The importance in sharing challenging figures like this, is to centre the need to ensure we are always taking a proactive approach to preventative work than can help to reduce the risk of people losing their life to suicide.

Between 2018 and 2022, an average of 1,697 people per year who died by suicide in the UK were known to mental health services. Over that five-year span, this amounts to approximately 8,485 deaths—around 26% of all suicides.

Many of these individuals showed additional clinical or social risk factors:

  • 55% had a comorbid mental health diagnosis
  • 62% had a history of self-harm
  • 47% showed evidence of alcohol misuse; 38% had a history of drug misuse

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:

📞 Immediate Support

  • Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7)
  • Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential support via text
  • NHS 111 – Call 111, select option 2 for urgent mental health support
  • CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight daily) or visit thecalmzone.net
  • Childline – For under-19s: Call 0800 1111

🧰 Additional Support & Resources

  • Mind – Offers helplines, local services, and an online community: mind.org.uk

🏥 In Crisis

If someone is in immediate danger or has seriously harmed themselves:

  • Call 999 or go to A&E immediately


Will Goode - Director of Operations