A CUMBRIAN police chief has voiced his concern about a dramatic surge in the number of suspected suicides reported across Cumbria during lockdown and in recent weeks.

Experts nationally have spoken of their fears about the pandemic’s impact on mental health.

But figures obtained exclusively by The News & Star show for the first time worrying evidence that there may been a significant rise in people being driven into self-harm.

According to Cumbria County Council, the average annual number of deaths which were attributable to suicide in the county between 2016 and 2018 was 55.

Yet so far this year Cumbria has seen 45 suspected suicides.

Thus that figure - if formally confirmed by a coroner at a later date - indicates a suicide rate almost double that of recent years.

In July alone, there were 12 suspected suicides.

Andy Slattery, Cumbria Constabulary’s Assistant Chief Constable, said he was so concerned by the figures that he has raised the issue with the county’s Suicide Prevention Group.

He said: “These are deaths which in the early stages appear to be suicides, though that has to be determined by the coroner. But so far in July, there have been 12.

“It’s accelerated over the last few weeks.

“It’s been almost one every other day throughout July. We’re working together with our partner agency the Suicide Prevention Group in the county that is looking at this. It’s something we’ve raised as a concern with our partners.”

The figures were released as local efforts to prevent suicide during the pandemic were intensified.

The charity Every Life Matters urged people to talk about the issue and is offering free suicide awareness training.

Ian Alcock, the charity’s suicide safer community co-ordinator in west Cumbria, said some people are likely to face economic uncertainty as the country emerges from lockdown.

“It’s going to be extremely difficult for people in terms of financial uncertainty,” he said.

The national suicide prevention charity Papyrus is supported by Eden Valley man Andy Airey. Since his 29-year-old daughter Sophie took her own life, he has campaigned to raise awareness of the issue.

“I’m horrified,” said Andy after hearing about the Cumbrian figures for suspected suicides.”

The pandemic had thrown the lives of everybody up into the air, he said.

Of his own family’s experience, he said: “Having been through what we’ve been through and coming across people who have gone through bereavement by suicide, we keep coming across people who didn’t know their loved ones felt suicidal.

“It’s such a common thing; that people get into these dark places and for whatever reason they choose not share or not to reach out for help.”

Asked what his message to those who may be at risk is, he said: “Reach out. If you don’t tell people how you’re feeling, nobody can come to your aid. There is help out there.

“It’s incredibly important to spread that message.

Where you can seek help:

* Papyrus’s HOPELINEUK offers confidential support and advice to children and young people under 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts or to anyone concerned about a young person.

Call: 0800 068 4141; or text: 07860 039 967; or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

* The Samaritans: Call 116 123.

* The Every Life Matters suicide awareness training is done online by zoom and lasts 60 minutes. If your group is interested interested call Every Life Matters on 07908 537541 or contact them at: info@every-life-matters.org.uk

* The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – for men is on 0800 58 58 58, from 5pm to midnight every day.

Experts agree that suicide can have multiple and complex causes.