PUBLIC health leaders in the South West have highlighted a worrying rise in suicides and self-harm across the region since the downturn in the economy.

The number of people taking their own lives in the South West rose by almost a quarter between 2007 and 2009, reversing years of decline.

Although Bournemouth, Poole and the rest of Dorset remained below the regional average for suicides, 2010 saw a sharp rise – a trend that appears to be continuing this year.

Lindley Owen, public health consultant at NHS Bournemouth and Poole, said: “We know what’s associated with suicide, and it’s a mixture of isolation, breakdown in relationships, losing a job, depression and pre-existing mental illness. Some of those aspects have been becoming more prevalent in recent months.

“Financially we’ve had a period of continuing five per cent inflation. Most people are seeing their incomes stagnating, or going down, and a rise in workloads.

“We know money worries are a big strain on families and can be at the root of depression, and people with depression are more likely to take their own lives.”

In 2009, there were 25 suicides in Dorset, but last year 42 people took their own lives.

Across the South West, men account for three-quarters of suicides, with the 35-44 and over 85 age groups most at risk. Suicide rates in the poorest fifth of areas are twice as high as in the wealthiest parts of the region.

Hospital admissions for self-harm also rose by 73 per cent in the south-west between 2002 and 2009, the second highest increase in England. The biggest increase was in girls aged 15 to 24.

Dr Julia Verne, director of the regional Public Health Observatory and co-author of the Suicide and Self-Harm in the South West report, said: “Although deaths from suicide account for a relatively small number, each is a tragedy for the individual, their family and friends.”

The report’s recommendations include teaching social and coping skills to schoolchildren; and raising awareness of suicide, self-harm and their risk factors in social care, criminal justice and community settings.

• LINDLEY Owen advises anyone who is feeling depressed to make an appointment with their GP. Having suicidal thoughts means you need to be seen urgently.

“Don’t try to deal with the problem on your own. When you are depressed, it’s very difficult to see the upside: it’s the nature of the condition,” he says.

And for those worried about someone else, he says: “Families can see the doctor on behalf of a relative, although the doctor will be bound by rules of patient confidentiality.

“Keep in contact with people – you don’t have to talk about how they’re feeling all the time. You can show people in all sorts of ways that they’re valued.

“If someone suffers a life-changing event, even if they appear to coping well on the surface, they need time and space to recover.”

• Bournemouth Samaritans is on 01202 551999 or 08457 90 90 90; or email jo@samaritans.org