The number of probable deaths by suicide in Lanarkshire dropped by just under a quarter last year, according to latest figures.
Statistics were revealed by the National Records of Scotland, with the rate decreasing by six per cent in the country as a whole - with the fall largely attributed to a drop in female suicides.
Overall in Lanarkshire, the total number dropped from 112 to 89 - a decrease of 20 per cent.
In North Lanarkshire, the figure dropped from 62 to 58 from 2020 compared to 2021 - a reduction of just over six per cent.
Meanwhile, in South Lanarkshire the number was 50 and 31 respectively - a drop of more than a third at 38 per cent.
The rate of probable suicides remains higher in men.
Statistics for Scotland as a whole show three-quarters of people who died by suicide in 2021 were male, with 565 compared to 188 females.
In North Lanarkshire there were 39 registered in men in 2021, compared to 42 in 2020 - a decrease of seven per cent.
There was a far bigger drop in South Lanarkshire of 40 per cent - going from 37 in 2020 to 22 in 2021.
Meanwhile, in women in North Lanarkshire there were 20 recorded in 2020 and 13 last year - a reduction of 35 per cent.
And in South Lanarkshire, the figure dropped from 13 to nine- a 30 per cent reduction.
Data shows there were 753 probable suicides in Scotland in 2021, down 52 on the previous year.
National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG), Rose Fitzpatrick said: "We need to remember that each of the 753 people who took their own lives last year was a person in pain and despair who will never know how deeply their death has affected the people they left behind.
“We should not as individuals or communities accept that suicide is inevitable, and we must continue to do all we can across Scotland to save people from taking their own lives.
“Much hard, complicated work is being undertaken across Scotland but there is much more for us all to do.
“If you believe, as we do, that saving lives from the tragedy of suicide is important, please get involved with our National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group suicide prevention movement, United to Prevent Suicide."
And Danielle Rowley, from Samaritans Scotland, said there was a huge amount of work to be done.
"While we welcome the overall downward trend, particularly a significant reduction among females, we must continue to take action on the range of factors that may contribute to suicide risk," she said.
"This data, and Samaritans' own research, suggests reaching out to men from lower-income areas - who are at the highest risk of suicide - must be a major focus of preventing suicide in Scotland."
Paula MacLeod, general manager mental health and learning disabilities at NHS Lanarkshire, said: "Every suicide is a tragedy that has a far-reaching impact long after a person has died. Suicide prevention is everyone's business and continues to be a priority in Lanarkshire.
“The past two years have been tough for everyone. We must encourage people to talk about their feelings and seek support when they need it. We should all look out for the people around us. Support and help is available around the clock.
"A lot of work is required to reduce the stigma and encourage people to open up, especially as we recover from the impact of Covid and process the toll it has taken.
"We continue work tirelessly to tackle suicide in partnership with both Lanarkshire local authorities, Health and Social Care Partnerships and voluntary organisations, such as the Samaritans.”
The Scottish Government and COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) are due to launch a new Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan by the end of September.
It will take a long-term view and should include key commitments made by the Scottish Government to look at the wider impact of societal inequalities such as poverty.
The rate in Scotland as a whole in the period 2017 - 2021 was over three times higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas.
And the highest crude rate of suicide for both males and females occurred in the 45 – 54 age group in 2021.
The rate for suicides at age 25 to 44 have also fallen in the past 10 years.
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