The devastating and far-reaching impact of suicide has been outlined in a new council report, with a dedicated member of staff having been hired in Halton to address the issue of men taking their own lives.

A report due to go before Halton's Health Policy & Performance Board next week shows that suicides have fallen in the borough in recent years, in contrast to the North West. The average number of people taking their own lives is now also lower than the England average, at nine in every 100,000 in Halton, compared to 11 regionally and 10 nationally.

But it estimated 130 people are impacted for every suicide that occurs and there are approximately 25 people attempting suicide for every person that takes their own life. The report said suicide risk is greater in areas of deprivation, such as Halton but that evidence demonstrated suicide was preventable.

In Halton, 66 per cent of suicides are male and the average age is 45. Personal problems at time of death included unemployment, physical health issues, relationship or financial problems, bereavement, substance misuse, self harm and previous suicide attempts. But the report warned suicide was 'complex' and these themes could indicate possible contributing factors but not necessarily the cause.

Halton has a real-time surveillance system in place to receive notifications from the coroner of any suspected suicides. The borough has also had a local suicide prevention action plan since 2017.

The action plan focuses on the following areas:

  • Reducing the risk of suicide in key high-risk groups.
  • Tailoring approaches to improve mental health in specific groups.
  • Providing better information and support to those bereaved and affected by suicide.
  • Identifying people who self-harm.
  • Supporting research, data collection and monitoring.

Due to males making up a large percentage of suicides both nationally and
locally there is a specific focus on reducing suicides in men within the action
plan. A dedicated member of staff has been recruited to lead on this area of
work. A campaign and dedicated website Calm Your Mind has been
developed with local middle-aged men and lived experience champions.

The report said: "Evidence tells us men are less likely to take notice of generic marketing material as they think it isn’t for them. Calm Your Mind focusses on raising awareness of what men can do to calm their minds as well as letting them know where they can get help should they need it. The campaign uses local lived experience stories to raise awareness and the direction of the work is driven by local lived experienced champions."

The campaign and website have been active since June 2023 and receive
just under 400 visitors per month. The report said: "Although too early to evaluate its impact, the number of notifications for male suicides in 2023 is just over half of what it was in 2022."

Since 2017 Halton Health Improvement Team has provided suicide
awareness training to those who live or work in the area. The aim of the
training is to increase knowledge regarding risk factors related to suicide and
help signpost to support available. Since 2017, a total of 1,774 people have been trained.

The report added: "Those who work with vulnerable cohorts are actively encouraged to attend such as those who work with people who are unemployed."

Calm Your Mind can be found here.

Samaritans is available round the clock, everyday of the year, providing a safe place to talk for anyone who is struggling to cope.

Call 116 123 (this number is free to call and will not appear on a phone bill), 01204 521200 or email jo@samaritans.org.