Suicides Rates Among Women and Girls Almost Doubles in Seven Years

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that suicides among women and girls aged 10 to 24 years has almost doubled in seven years. Since 2012, this figure has increased by 92%, a record high.

Responding, Jessica Southgate, CEO at Agenda, the alliance of women and girls at risk, said:

“It is extremely worrying that there has been a 92% increase in girls and young women taking their own lives. These figures highlight a failure to address the underlying causes driving young women’s mental distress and the urgent need to take action.

What has already been a worrying trend has been further exacerbated by the pandemic, as our recent report Voices from Lockdown revealed. The crisis has had a severe impact on the mental health of women and girls already facing multiple disadvantage – with reports of increased isolation, anxiety, depression, self harm and suicidal thoughts. Frontline services have raised concerns about young women, and Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnic women and girls, as at particular risk of poor mental health. Poverty, violence, discrimination and a lack of adequate support is contributing to this rise in avoidable deaths, and without action now, they are likely to increase.

We call on the government to invest in mental health support that takes girls and women’s needs and experiences into account, including the impact of violence and abuse, to ensure they get the support they need, when they need it.”