Analysis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that Generation X – those born in the 1960s and 1970s – are the age-group with the greatest number of deaths by suicide.

The data shows the higher rate of fatalities began in the 1980s and 90s, when people belonging to Generation X were in their 20s and are still occurring in the now middle-aged cohort.

Public Health England have stated the trend overlaps with patterns of heroin use but other factors will also contribute.

Samaritans says the findings should help inform policies in suicide prevention, spokeswoman Charlotte Simms said, “We know that suicide rates are currently higher among people in their 40s and 50s and particularly among men.

“But this data from the ONS suggests it isn’t just related to age but is a risk that has been carried by a generation of people and there are lessons to learn from that.”

For more information visit, www.ons.gov.uk