Why is Suicide Prevention so important?
There were 6,069 suicides registered in England and Wales, at a rate of 11.4 per 100,000—an increase from 2022 (10.7 deaths per 100,000). View the Office of National Statistics website for more information
Race & Suicides - A lack of data
There is a lack of data on the number of suicides among people of colour, as ethnicity is not often recorded accurately, robustly, or consistently across agencies involved in suicide cases. This includes the NHS, police, British Transport Police, GP practices, and Coroner’s Courts. Reasons for poor recording include:
- Poor or no training in collecting race and ethnicity data, including explaining to others why it is necessary.
- Using outdated ethnicity datasets that do not reflect the current population, with variation across organisations.
- Staff failing to ask about ethnicity and instead making assumptions based on stereotypes.
- Weak leadership and prioritisation from senior management, and no commitment at the board level.
Race & Suicides - A lack of cultural support
There is much stigma associated with suicide in society. In some communities, cultures, and faiths, this is further amplified by shame and inaccessible services.
Services are often culturally inappropriate, and people of colour are limited in their choice of support mechanisms.
For example, mainstream organisations may not understand specific funeral rites, faith foundations, grieving processes, or extended kinship structures.
How We Can Help
Campaign For Racial Justice In Suicide Prevention will seek change in suicide prevention among people of colour, from lobbying for better data systems to promoting good practice and guidance.
