A DISTRICT health chief has outlined work being carried out to reduce deaths from suicide – as new figures reveal a slight rise over a two-year period.

According to the Office for National Statistics, 50 deaths from suicide were registered in the Bradford district in 2022, the most recent year for which full figures are available.

The total was unchanged from the previous year, but up by eight compared to 2020.

Sarah Muckle – director of public health at Bradford Council – says the district has the lowest suicide rate in West Yorkshire, but that "every death by suicide is a tragedy and could be prevented".

She acknowledges the work being done by sports clubs including Keighley Cougars to support people with their mental health and combat suicide.

"We have undertaken work to make crisis and mental health services more accessible to our residents as well as promoting suicide prevention training that anyone can access," she says.

"Last year we worked with major sports teams in the district, including Bradford Bulls, Keighley Cougars, Bradford City and Yorkshire County Cricket Club, to promote the Check in With Your Mate campaign.

"The campaign aims to encourage people, in particular men, to check in with each other and normalise conversation around mental health and suicide.

"We have also supported the West Yorkshire Suicide Prevention Champions scheme, which launched in September last year with the aim of signing people up as champions to break down the stigma that is often associated with suicide.

"For anyone who is bereaved by suicide, we provide a free specialist bereavement service through Mind."

Last September, the Government published a five-year suicide prevention strategy.

It included a commitment to improve support for people who self-harm, and for those bereaved by suicide.

Plans to tackle harmful digital content about suicide and promote online safety are also a part of the strategy.

But Julie Bentley, chief executive of the Samaritans, said a “more ambitious approach to suicide prevention” was needed.

Ms Bentley warned the strategy “will only take us so far without investment at both a national and local level”.

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said its new strategy included more than 100 measures, with a focus on prevention and earlier intervention, adding that the Government had also launched a £10m fund for suicide prevention work by the voluntary sector.

* Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123.