Alex Cumming, executive director of delivery and service development for the Scottish Association of Mental Health, said every death by suicide was “devastating” and each one impacted an average of 135 people.

“We need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to support people who’ve lost someone to suicide and my heart goes out to all of them,” he added.

“We cannot read too much into a single year of data, especially after rising numbers in recent years, but the fall in deaths by suicide in 2024 is welcome.”

He added: “We need to re-double our collective efforts to prevent suicide across Scotland to make sure that the rate continues to go down and more lives are saved.”

Haylis Smith, from Suicide Prevention Scotland, said: “Of course, we welcome a reduction in deaths by suicide, but that won’t be of any consolation to everyone who knew one of the 704 that died last year.

“Our work at Suicide Prevention Scotland has to be relentless until no suicide is inevitable.

“We know the best way to prevent suicide is to talk about it, and so if you’re worried about someone, please ask them if they are considering suicide.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said that behind the reported deaths by suicide were “hundreds of people let down in their hour of need and families destroyed”.

“It is a scandal that suicide rates remain so much higher in the poorest communities,” she added.

“More must be done to ensure that people can get the help they need when they need it – whether it’s improving care for those in crisis, tackling long waits for mental health support, or providing the wider support people need.”

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