Fewer men killed themselves in 2017 than in any other year for 37 years

Of 5,821 suicides last year, 4,382 of them – 75 per cent – were men

Samaritans says awareness is increasing of men's mental health issues

But the helpline charity added 'one death by suicide is still one too many'

Male suicides in the UK are at the lowest levels since records began 37 years ago.

The number of men killing themselves has dropped to its lowest ever level, with 4,382 deaths recorded last year.

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But men are still three times more likely to end their own lives than women – in 2017, 75 per cent of all suicides were among men.

The people most likely to commit suicide are men aged between 45 and 49 years old, who have a rate of 24.8 deaths per 100,000 people.

Samaritans, a charity providing support for people at risk of suicide, says increasing awareness of men's mental health issues is driving suicides down.

The charity said it was 'encouraging' that rates were coming down but 'one death by suicide is still one too many'.

A total of 5,821 people committed suicide in the UK last year – Birmingham had the highest rate, with 74 deaths, while the Isles of Scilly had the lowest and was the only local authority without a single suicide in 2017

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Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the total number of registered suicides in the UK dropped by 144 in a year.

While 5,965 people killed themselves in 2016, there were only 5,821 deaths last year – 4,382 of those were men.

This works out at 15.5 suicides per 100,000 men, a rate triple the 4.9 per 100,000 women.

Scotland has the highest number of suicides in the UK, with 13.9 deaths per 100,000, and England the lowest at 9.2.

Most suicides in England occurred in Birmingham

WHICH REGIONS HAD THE HIGHEST SUICIDE RATES IN 2017? North East (720) North West (634) Yorkshire and the Humber (568) East Midlands (510) West Midlands (500) East of England (468) London (462) South East (360) South West (341) Wales (248) Source: Office for National Statistics

Within England and Wales, Birmingham had the highest level – with 74 deaths – followed by Leeds with 71 and Cornwall with 64.

There were the fewest suicides in the Isles of Scilly, which had none, and the City of London and Boston, which had one each.

Samaritans said efforts to reduce stigma around men’s mental health may be contributing to falling rates.

'It's encouraging to see the reduction in male suicide'

Ruth Sutherland, Samaritans chief executive, said: 'It’s encouraging to see the reduction in male suicide.

'We believe that the focus of suicide prevention in recent years to tackle the higher rates in men has contributed to this.

'Added to this, reducing stigma around men’s mental health and encouraging men to open up and ask for help when they are struggling has been beneficial.

'But one death by suicide is still one too many.

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'Suicide is complex and it’s a problem of inequality. It affects the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society, male and female, disproportionately.

'So, this is an urgent public health issue, not simply a health or mental health one.'

'Suicide really is quite a big problem'

Giving the issue a higher profile in recent years have been Princes Harry and William, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge who have spearheaded a campaign to encourage people to discuss their mental health.

When opening a centre for helping suicidal men in Liverpool in June, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge said: 'Suicide really is a quite a big problem, and we don't talk about it.'

ONS figures cover all deaths recorded from deliberate self-harm among people aged over 10, or deaths in which the 'intent was undetermined' for people aged 15 or over.

Anyone can phone Samaritans for free at any time on 116 123 or go to the charity's website.