Carlisle, Copeland and Barrow record the highest suicide rates

The data shows that across the 2020-22 period, Copeland and Carlisle had the highest per 100,000 rates of suicide of England and Wales local authorities, with 20.6 and 18.6 per 100,000, in comparison to the country's average of 10.5.

Barrow was fourth highest with 17.2 deaths per 100,000 of the population.

The figures show, that within the 2020-22 period, 35 people in Copeland died by suicide, 53 in Carlisle and 30 in Barrow.

The severity of these figures was reflected by Mr Chris Wood, CEO and co-founder of the suicide prevention organisation, Every Life Matters. He said: “Each one of these deaths is an individual tragedy.

"Each one of these people had family, friends, colleagues and neighbours who are left devastated by the loss.

"And for those closest to the person this form of bereavement is considered generally as one of the most traumatic we can experience.

Mr Wood reiterated the importance for agencies across Cumberland, and Westmorland and Furness, to work hard to understand the counties high figures.

He said: "It's time that we invest strategically, and long term, in activity we know can potentially help save lives.

"We know suicide prevention is a really complex issue to address, England’s suicide rates have remained relatively static for the last decade, but we must keep trying, and we must do everything we can to prevent more unnecessary deaths.

"Suicides are preventable deaths.”

Every Life Matters infographics (Image: Every Life Matters)

"Though someone is statistically more likely to be at risk of suicide if they live in an area of high deprivation, or are among higher risk groups including people in problem debt, our LGBTQ+ communities, experiencing relationship breakdowns or bereavement, suicide can still affect anyone, from any area of life.

"Suicides happen when someone cannot see a way out of their current situation, where they have lost all hope."

He continued: “These figures are a wake-up call. We all need to step up and take responsibility, whether that’s our NHS services who need to ensure services are safe and fully staffed, our local authorities who need to take a lead on local suicide prevention strategy, and to properly resource it, or the network of frontline support services who may be in contact with the vulnerable in our communities, and who can recognise and respond to suicide risk, or family friends and colleagues, who are often best placed to see when someone is struggling. We all have a role to play.

“And this is really important coming up to Christmas. This is a time we need to mindful of those struggling with problem debt, loneliness, relationship or family breakdowns, bereavement, physical health issues, loss of work and so on.

"If you see someone is struggling, withdrawing or changing their behaviour then check-in, don’t accept “I’m alright” for answer, be helpfully nosey and let people know you are there for them.

"And really importantly, if you are worried someone might be thinking of ending their life, ask them, and ask directly, “are you thinking about suicide?”. All the evidence shows it won’t put the idea in their head, and the conversation it starts might just be a lifesaver.”

For more information about where to get help when you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or how you can support someone at risk, or if you have been bereaved by suicide, visit every-life-matters.org.uk

If you are having thoughts of suicide support is available at;

• North Cumbria NHS Universal Mental Health Crisis Line 0800 652 2865 open 24 hrs a day/7 days a week
• South Cumbria NHS Urgent Mental Health Support Line 0800 953 0110 open 24 hrs a day/7 days a week
• Samaritans – Call 116 123 – There round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• PAPYRUS – Call 0800 068 41 41 – 9am to midnight. Support line for young people at risk of suicide.
• CALM – Call 0800 58 58 58. Men’s Helpline open 5pm – Midnight
• Shout Crisis Text Service – Text Shout to 85258 to get 24/7 text support