Suicides go up by 20 per cent in the last year

Support groups rallying to tackle mental health

THE number of residents taking their own lives in Barnsley rose last year, shocking new figures have revealed.

Figures have risen year-onyear since 2019 when 28 suicide deaths were recorded across the borough.

Office for National Statistics figures show a total of 37 people took their own life in Barnsley last year – up six from 31 the year before.

The town’s three-year suicide rate is also on the rise, currently standing at 14.8 suicides per 100,000 residents.

This was up from 12.7 in 2018 to 2020 and 10.7 in 2017 to 2019. The figures only include registrations in 2021, meaning they could include deaths that occurred in 2020 but were registered the following year due to disruption to coroners’ inquests caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Department for Health and Social Care have said they’re prioritising children and young people’s mental health with the existing prevention strategy.

This has been evident in Barnsley in recent months, with a new mental health service being created to support youngsters as part of a longterm plan to prevent cases reaching the point of suicide.

The collaboration between local mental health support teams and child and adolescent mental health services (CAHMS) – dubbed Branching Minds Barnsley – will help youngsters and their families get the right support, whilst providing more seamless care.

Residents can request support for mental health and emotional wellbeing issues centrally from the new service.

Statistics from NHS Digital show a total of 2,340 children and young people had at least one contact with mental health services in the Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area in the 12 months to May.

It’s the highest number since local records began in July 2021 and up from 2,295 in April this year.

Local rates of mental health in young people have been on the rise in recent years, with one in six young people aged six to 16 now estimated to have a probable mental health disorder, compared to one in nine in 2017.

Barnsley Football Club are partnering with the council to raise awareness of World Suicide Prevention Day tomorrow. AlrightPal materials sign posting support services will be available around Oakwell on matchday, whilst the players will warm up in supportive shirts.

Coun Caroline Makinson, cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities, said: “We’re seeing a change in attitude towards mental health, but there is still plenty of work to do as suicide and mental health are very complex issues.

“In Barnsley, we want our residents to be able to access the right support at the right time for any problems they may face, allowing them to live a happy and healthy life.

“Just as we all have physical health, we have mental health too, and it’s equally important to look after it.

“It can’t be emphasised enough that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s a sign of bravery and strength.

“I would also like to thank Barnsley FC for supporting this important campaign.”