Call for more to be done to reduce the number of people dying by suicide

5,691 people in England and Wales took their own lives in 2019 according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.

36 people died in Witshire and 113 in Hampshire.

The New Forest had the highest region in Hampshire with 16 deaths recorded.

MALE SUICIDE HIGHEST FOR TWENTY YEARS

Nationally men accounted for around three-quarters of suicide deaths registered in 2019 - 4,303 compared with 1,388 women.

Men aged 45 to 49 had the highest age-specific suicide rate at 25.5 deaths per 100,000.

The rate is the highest since 2000 but is inline with figures released in 2018.

Meanwhile the ONS says the rate for 10 to 24-year-old females had also increased "significantly" since 2012 to its highest level, with 3.1 deaths per 100,000 females in 2019.

• Men remain 3 times more likely to die by suicide than women.

• Middle-aged men are still at the highest risk of suicide

CALL FOR MORE TO BE DONE

Jake Mills set up the charity Chasing the Stigma after trying take his own life six years ago.

He's been campaigning for action ever since and says the government needs to do more.

"I'm sick of having to say the same things over and over again and not be listened to and here we are with almost 6,000 lives lost because people felt they had no other options. It's just not good enough."

CORONAVIRUS

There are concerns the pandemic will take a huge toll on people's lives.

Ruth Sutherland, CEO of The Samaritans said:

"It is not inevitable that suicide rates will go up as a result ofcoronavirus, but we know that the pandemic is impacting on lots of people’s lives and exacerbating some known risk factors for suicide for some people who are already vulnerable. From our own research which looked to understand how coronavirus is affecting people who access our services, we know that callers are generally more anxious and distressed than before the pandemic. Volunteers are telling us that many callers have been worried about losing their job and/or business and their finances, with common themes around not being able pay rent/mortgage, inability to support the family, and fear of homelessness."

"Undoubtedly, the pandemic has affected everyone in society, but Samaritans is particularly worried about three groups: people with pre-existing mental health conditions, young people who self-harm, and less well-off middle-aged men. It is essential that these groups are given the support they need before people reach crisis point. Suicide prevention must be a priority right now, so we can save lives."

You can find out support in your area here hubofhope.co.uk

If you are struggling to cope, you can call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or you can email jo@samaritans.org