THE number of suicides in Barrow have risen by 500 per cent in the last eight years, according to new figures.

Newly-released statistics show eleven people took their own life in Barrow last year, compared to just two people in 2010.

The figures also reveal a 15 per cent increase in suicides across Cumbria as a whole, rising from 44 in 2017 and 51 in 2018.

Iain Mooney, Barrow Council's health and wellbeing boss, said the figures were ‘not surprising’.

“I think there’s definitely still a rural mentality here in Cumbria where people, especially men, are afraid of speaking out about their mental health,” Cllr Mooney said.

“Cumbria has one of the highest suicide rates in the whole country which is something we need to focus on.”

Last week The Mail revealed south Cumbria had the third worst suicide rate in the UK.

Cllr Mooney believes the solution to high suicide rates is a ‘better integrated approach’ rather than increased funding.

He said: “It’s an easy solution to say we should pump money into the system but I think we need to invest money into the community groups which we know are working in Barrow, like Mind, Kick Off 4 Mental Health etc.

“The groups are fantastic for encouraging a safe and inclusive space where all walks of life are welcome.

“The groups all run great initiatives around tackling the stigma and taboos surrounding mental health.”

The new figures come less than two weeks after bosses at Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group revealed a suicide prevention and first aid scheme is set to be rolled out at many of Barrow’s biggest employers.

As well as help people understand when someone is at risk of suicide, the new initiative will see suicide prevention training delivered to organisations who choose sign up, as well as bereavement support and suicide first aid.

The scheme, known as Suicide Safer Barrow, was set up after The Mail’s ‘Time to Talk’ campaign urged health bosses to take action. Time to Talk was launched after five young Furness men were believed to have taken their own lives in the first few months of 2019. The campaign demands health bosses take urgent action as well as encouraging the community to breakdown stigmas and speak out to get help.

If you need to find more information and advice about suicide prevention, call The Samaritans on 116 123, Mind on 0300 123 3393 or PAPYRUS on 0800 068 4141.