MORE people commit suicide in Warwickshire than die on the county’s roads.
The shocking statistic has prompted the launch of a new suicide prevention campaign in a bid to reduce the number of people taking their own lives.
Warwickshire Coroners recorded 105 cases of death by suicide in the 12 months to April 2014 – which was more than double the 51 people killed in road accidents in the county during the same period. The majority of suicides were males aged below 50.
The campaign regards every death by suicide as potentially preventable, and outlines plans and priorities:
* Providing specialist suicide prevention training for GPs
* Targeted suicide prevention campaigns in the community
* Partnership working with our specialist mental health services provided by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust
* Working with local media to deliver sensitive reporting on suicides and suicidal behaviour
* Reducing the impact of suicide on survivors, families and the bereaved
Coun Les Caborn, Warwickshire County Council’s health spokesman, said: “Every death by suicide is a tragedy and impacts families, friends and the wider community. This strategy affirms the council’s commitment to working with our partners to reduce the rates and provide better support for those bereaved.
“Death by suicide is everybody’s business and we all have a role to play in achieving the zero suicide target set out in the strategy.”
Visit warwickshire.gov.uk/mentalhealth for details of wellbeing services in Warwickshire; ittakesballstotalk.com for information on the suicide prevention campaign for Coventry and Warwickshire targeted at men; or call Samaritans free 24/7 on 116 123.
