1. Suicide Audit- County Durham 2005-2012 data Catherine Richardson Public Health

2. National context

3. Number of suicides year on year in County Durham

4. Suicide rate by locality in 2012 Area Populatio nSuicides Rate/100,00 0 Durham & CLS149,37115 10 Derwentside88,01316 18.1 Easington95,41813 13.6 Sedgefield87,3365 5.72 Durham dales88,3138 9.1 NHS County Durham Total 508, 451 5711.2 National Figure7.9

5. Average suicide rates for the last 8 years AreaPopulationNo of suicidesRate/100,000/yr Durham and CLS 149,371887.4 Derwentside88,013638.9 Easington95,418709.2 Sedgefield87,336314.4 Durham Dales88,313537.5 County Durham508, 4513057.5 National Figure7.9

6. Mapping of suicides by LSOA since 2005

7. 3 most common places outside of homes where people take their own lives Wooded area Railway Home of friends and family

8. Residence of those taking their own lives in relation to railway lines; note proximity to railway lines

9. Mosaic- allocation of those taking own life to 7 ‘supergroups’ Mosaic Public Sector SupergroupsYour area/file%Comp.%Pen. % Index ARural and small town inhabitants178.3342,94610.650.0478 BAffluent households31.4723,0945.730.0126 CMiddle income families199.3160,02514.890.0363 DYoung people starting out62.9418,0174.470.0366 ELower income residents10953.43179,06244.420.06120 FElderly occupants178.3338,2639.490.0488 GSocial housing tenants3316.1841,68610.340.08156 Total204100403,0931000.05100 Based on postcode; those committing suicide are more likely to be lower income residents and social housing tenants (index value >100)

10. Mosaic- allocation by ‘group’ Mosaic Public Sector GroupsYour area/file%Comp.%Pen. % Index AResidents of isolated rural communities73.4311,2422.790.06123 B Residents of small and mid-sized towns with strong local roots 104.9031,7047.870.0362 C Wealthy people living in the most sought after neighbourhoods 00.004,2331.050.000 D Successful professionals living in suburban or semi-rural homes 31.4718,8614.680.0231 E Middle income families living in moderate suburban semis 104.9038,8129.630.0351 F Couples with young children in comfortable modern housing 94.4121,2135.260.0484 GYoung, well-educated city dwellers20.986,8491.700.0358 H Couples and young singles in small modern starter homes 41.9611,1682.770.0471 I Lower income workers in urban terraces in often diverse areas 209.8027,2746.770.07145 J Owner occupiers in older-style housing in ex-industrial areas 2311.2746,85311.620.0597 K Residents with sufficient incomes in right-to-buy social housing 6632.35104,93526.030.06124 L Active elderly people living in pleasant retirement locations 20.986,2681.550.0363 MElderly people reliant on state support157.3531,9957.940.0593 NYoung people renting flats in high density social housing20.982,7140.670.07146 O Families in low-rise social housing with high levels of benefit need 3115.2038,9729.670.08157 Total204100403,0931000.05100

11. Results; 2005-2012 data 81% male; age distribution shown below Age Number of suicides

12. Trends over time… Year Number of suicides

13. Characteristics of those taking their own life 62.8% were divorced, separated, single, or widowed 32.2% lived alone 30% were unemployed The most common method was hanging/strangulation

14. Characteristics of those who take their own life, continued 58.9% were recorded as having a mental health problem 39.2% had a history of self-harm 20% had significant alcohol intake recorded 13% were drug users 53% had a history of involvement with Criminal justice system (CJS)

15. Contact with services 44% had contact with their GP in the 3 months before death 37.9% had contact with mental health services in the 12 months before their death, of these; 82% unemployed 37% lived alone 68% single 57% contact with CJS 37% noted as having alcohol problem 18% recorded as drug users 16.5% had been admitted by the mental health services during this time

16. Themes for those where multiple triggers thought to be relevant ThemeNumber of cases affected Mental health problems33 Family/relationship breakdown 33 Ill health12 Bereavement29 Alcohol15 Financial problems29 Drug use7 Problems at work3 Police involvement5

17. So, overall, most common triggers are; ThemeNumber affectedPercentage Mental Health Diagnoses 7425.9% Family/relationship breakdown 7325.6% Bereavement4716.5% Financial Problems3411.9%

18. Is the economic crisis going to spell more suicides in County Durham?

19. Recommendations in terms of service provision Mental health services and primary care need to ensure those at risk of suicide are identified Improved communication between services Commissioning of services need to meet the requirements of those with key risk factors Evidence suggests informal support services and reduction of access to means are highly effective interventions for reducing suicides

20. What is already available in County Durham ? Bereavement U Care Share deliver family practical support incl a home visit Cruse deliver bereavement support As part of counselling provision; bereavement counselling Financial support is currently delivered through CAB with focussed delivery for people suffering mental distress. Welfare Rights service targeted at those with poor mental health A county wide relationship support service is available through ‘Relate’. Couples counselling is offered through IAPT and some volunteer organisations also offer support. Community support through CREE (sheds project)

21. Suicide prevention Develop plan to make County Durham a Suicide Safer County Implement suicide community response programme including early alert process for individuals at risk of suicide or self-harm Build capacity within services and communities through delivery of suicide prevention training Evaluate suicide bereavement services

22. Suicide prevention action plan Refreshing the early alert system – County Durham will be one of only a few areas nationally taking part in a pilot of a new early alert. Self-harm subgroup whose initial focus is on data and standardisation of audit tools. Media/communications subgroup and action plan to cover the sensitive reporting of suicide, use of the internet, media training, public information campaigns

23. Suicide prevention action plan To enhance the role of the voluntary sector to support those from high risk groups To ensure accessible information and timely support is available to those bereaved by suicide Audit process: there is a need to review the current audit tool and the amount and types of reports being requested to ensure the audit is fit for purpose and to reduce duplication of effort. County Durham to become a Suicide Safer County. A suicide safer county is one that has demonstrated a commitment to suicide prevention, promoting wellness and mental health, an ability to talk openly and freely about suicide and support to those bereaved by suicide