Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Break the Silence to Save Lives: Research Urges Earlier Suicide Prevention
New figures show that many people died by suicide in England and Wales in 2024.
Men died by suicide at a higher rate than women, and boys had higher rates than girls in the 10-to-17 age group.
The article also says rates differ between England and Wales.
Dr Nik Kotecha’s foundation and the Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys are studying how community programmes might help.
They hope to reduce men’s suicide rates by 10% in five years.
The article says that support should reach people before they reach a crisis.
It also argues that telling someone to talk is not enough if there are no safe places, helpful services, or trusted listeners.
Families, friends and communities can help make asking for support feel acceptable.
ONS figures show 6,190 suicides were registered in England and Wales in 2024; the male rate was 17.6 per 100,000, more than three times the female rate.
Men aged 50–54 had the highest reported rate, at 27.5 deaths per 100,000; rates among 10–17-year-olds were significantly higher for boys than girls.
The article says boys receiving special educational needs support faced lower recorded suicide rates than boys without recorded provision, while urging more targeted early support.
Wales recorded 15.7 suicides per 100,000 in 2024, compared with 11.1 in England; the rate among Welsh men was almost 41% higher than among men in England.
The Randal Charitable Foundation and CPRMB are funding research into community-based programmes, with a stated ambition to reduce men’s suicide rates by 10% over five years.
- Who
- Men and boys affected by suicide risk; the Randal Charitable Foundation and the Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys are supporting research.
- What
- An article discusses suicide statistics and research into community-based mental-health support and prevention.
- When
- The cited figures cover 2024; World Mental Health Day is October 10.
- Where
- England and Wales, with discussion of Asian communities and support across the UK.
- Why
- The research aims to understand barriers to support and identify community approaches that may help prevent suicide.
Calls for community-based prevention
Limits and unanswered questions
Community programmes
Calls for community-based prevention
The foundation and CPRMB are investigating whether community-sourced programmes can support men’s mental health and contribute to suicide prevention.
Limits and unanswered questions
The article says no studies have collectively considered these community resources or measured whether they can underpin suicide prevention, so their impact remains to be established.
Encouraging men to talk
Calls for community-based prevention
Open conversations in families and communities can help make seeking support feel acceptable.
Limits and unanswered questions
The article cautions that simply telling men to talk is insufficient unless safe spaces, useful services, supportive relationships and willing listeners are available.
- Suicides registered
- 6,190 in England and Wales in 2024
- Male suicide rate
- 17.6 per 100,000, more than three times the rate for women
- Highest rate among men
- Men aged 50–54: 27.5 per 100,000
- England and Wales rates
- Wales: 15.7 per 100,000; England: 11.1 per 100,000 in 2024
- Welsh men
- Suicide deaths were almost 41% higher than for men in England
- Research partners
- Randal Charitable Foundation and Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys
- Stated ambition
- Reduce men’s suicide rates by 10% over the next five years