Britain | Male suicide

A worrying trend

Official suicide statistics released on February 19th contain disturbing news: suicide rates rose by 4% between 2012 and 2013, and the rise was due mainly to one group: men over 30. Rates were broadly flat among women, and among young men—often thought to be particularly at risk—suicide rates fell.

Why are middle-aged men so susceptible? The recession hit working-age men especially hard in Western countries, where social and employment status are closely linked. A recent study in the Lancet, a journal, found strong ties between unemployment and suicide. Roger Webb and Navneet Kapur of the University of Manchester say unemployment is only one contributing factor, however. Other aspects of the recession, such as falling income, “zero-hour” contracting and debt, may also be important.

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline "A worrying trend"

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