Over 800 suicides registered in the South East in 2020
Delays to Coroner's services means the full impact of the pandemic on suicide rates isn't known yet
Across the South East 850 suicides were recorded.
The stats have been released by the Office for National Statistics, and cover the number of suicides registered between January and December.
The figures show a reduction in the number of suicides in England compared to 2019: 10.8 deaths per 100,000 in 2019 compared to 9.9 deaths per 100,000 last year.
The ONS says this reduction "most likely reflects the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the coroner's service in England and Wales; for example, delays to inquests caused by the service adapting to social distancing measures."
Did coronavirus cause a spike in suicides?
Suicides can take months or sometimes years to pass through the coroner's courts. It's too early to tell what the true picture is when it comes to linking the pandemic to suicides.
The first few months of lockdown in 2020 actually saw near 20-year low of suicides registered, but it's suggested that's because Coroners were impacted by lockdown in the same way other organisations were at the start of the pandemic, eg introducing social distancing etc.
The amount of time it takes to officially declare a suicide rose in nearly all parts of England.
By the end of last year, registrations in the East Midlands were taking an average of 254 days. This means it will be some months before the wider impact of the pandemic is established.
The report also suggests the second half of the year saw figures for England largely in line with pre-pandemic levels of suicide.
Simon Ruben from the Chilterns branch of the Samaritans says there has been a rise in demand for their services:
"The volume of calls has clearly gone up, we have handled around 1 million calls as Samaritans in the UK.
"One thing that I think has been misunderstood this last year is that people call us about their relationship to Covid.
"Of course this does happen but from my experience people are calling about the underlying cause and Covid has merely exacerbated the problem and given them fewer outlets and fewer ways of communication.
"There is of course the fear around the pandemic but the root cause is the other things people have been experiencing that Covid has made worse.
"Talk is the watch word though. It's great if it can be friends or family but if it can't be then people like us are here.
"Talk to somebody, because it eases that pressure."
Find support if you're feeling suicidal
If you, or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 999 without delay.
If you would like to talk to someone about a crisis you're experiencing, call Samaritans on 116 123.
If you would like to use a text service instead, text SHOUT to 85258
Or find mental health services closer to you via the Hub of Hope.
You can also speak to your GP.
Don't suffer alone.
Visit Every Mind Matters for advice about mental health, and what to do if you're experiencing a period of negative mental health.