Why don’t we record suicide data by ethnicity?

Sometimes there are really complex and challenging issues that are fiendishly difficult to solve, but the issue around data is not one of them, writes Ian Hamilton

The effects of Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of keeping the right data (Getty Images)

If you want an example of how people from ethnic minorities feel ignored, look no further than the fact we don’t count how many BAME individuals die by suicide. Ethnicity is recorded in many of the encounters that people have with the state but sadly not at this fatal point. This really matters. Without this data how are we to judge the extent of the problem, or how it has changed over time? 

The Office for National Statistics doesn’t collect ethnicity data or refugee status for suicides, nor are these important demographic details recorded by coroners when investigating deaths by suicide – despite knowing that asylum seekers, refugees and those from ethnic minorities are at increased risk as Juliet Cohen and colleagues wrote in the BMJ. 

We can gather from other sources of information and data that these groups are known to struggle to get help with their mental health problems, and when they do access mental health services, they are more likely than any other group to be detained under the Mental Health Act. Detention suggests their problems have escalated to such a severe point as they are unable to access help in a timely way that would mitigate this deterioration in health.