Office of National Statistics report finds highest levels of male suicides since 1999 with rates higher in Wales than England
The Cardiff MoRunning event is back in Bute Park on 9 November with a 5K and 10k run, and a half marathon as part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness of men’s health issues
The event, which is aimed at getting more focus on men’s mental health and other health concerns, will come less than three months after the Office of National Statistics’ latest report which found a 7.8% increase in male suicides registered in England and Wales.
The report showed the number of registered male suicides increased from 16.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2022 to 17.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2023. This is the highest recorded rate since 1999.
The report also found that suicide rates were higher in Wales than in England, with Wales having 14 deaths per 100,000 and England having 11.2 per 100,000.
The Office of National Statistics calculated suicide data based on the year of death registration. In 2023, 39% of the recorded suicides occurred that year, 51% took place in 2022, and the remaining suicides occurred in 2021 or earlier.
Dave Krangel founded MoRunning in 2009 to help the charity Movember bring awareness to prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health. The Movember idea began by asking men to grow moustaches to show support for talking about these issues, now many of the MoRunning also sport the facial hair.
Asked about the recent rise in male suicides, Krangel said: “I think all we can do is keep doing what we’re doing. If charity events such as MoRunning are recognised and supported more it would help.”
Krangel said that many MoRunning participants have told him that MoRunning has changed their lives.
“They feel like an important part of something special and it’s amazing that sometimes we can make that little bit of difference,” he said.
Krangel added that people can raise awareness of the aims of MoRunning by joining the MoRunning events and giving optional donations.
Those unable to attend in person could join MoRunning’s virtual walk between the 1 and 30 of November and log their run times online.
