As more than 700 die by suicide, government must prioritise saving lives

Responding to new figures published by the National Records of Scotland showing that more than 700 people died by probable suicide in 2022, with the rate for men almost 3 times higher than for women and with rates in the most deprived areas 2.6 times higher than those in the least deprived areas, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“Behind these heart-breaking figures are people and families mourning an unspeakable loss. I want to extend my fullest sympathies to them.  

“Saving lives must be a fundamental priority of this government.  

“Scottish Liberal Democrats would clear mental health waiting lists for all those struggling. We would back this up with fresh funds for local and accessible mental health services and robust 24/7 crisis care so that people always have somewhere to turn in their most desperate hour of need.”