THE number of people in Warrington who took their own life last year was almost double that of the previous year.

This is according to the latest statistics published by the Office for National Statistics, which shows that sadly, 26 people committed suicide in the town in 2019.

Compared to 2018, in which there was reported to be 14 incidents of people in Warrington taking their own life, this shows an increase of 85 per cent.

In fact, 2019 was the highest number of suicides in the town since the ONS records began in 2002, and the increase of 12 on the previous year was the biggest rise experienced by any local authority in the north west region.

The north west as a whole saw its 2018 total (682) rise by around four per cent in 2019 to 709, with England seeing a rise of around eight per cent from 5,021 in 2018 to 5,310 in 2019.

Upon viewing the statistics, Warrington Borough Council has urged people who are struggling to reach out to someone, whether that be a friend, family member or a specialist charity.

It also said it is working with partners across the region to make support more accessible and in turn, reduce the number of people contemplating ending their life.

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: “Any death by suicide is one too many, so these figures are not what any of us want to see.

“We must remember that behind these statistics, there are individual stories of those people who have questioned the value of their own lives.

“Taking a minute to reach out to someone, whether they are a family member, friend or even a complete stranger, can change the course of their life.

“Just by showing compassion, offering words of support and listening in a non-judgemental way, we can make a significant difference to someone’s life.

“There is a range of work being carried out, locally and regionally, to support people at risk of or affected by suicide.

“We are working with partners across Cheshire and Merseyside to deliver the NO MORE Suicide Strategy, which aims to connect people, make support accessible, raise awareness of suicide and bring agencies together to prevent suicides.

“We know the devastating effects suicide has on families and communities and I would encourage people to consider, if you have a friend or family member you have been concerned about, to take a minute to talk to them about how they are feeling and support them to access help.”

The council also pointed out that the suicide rate (rate of deaths per 100,000 population) in Warrington over the most recent three-year period is similar to that of the national rate.

It said that between 2017 and 2019, the rate for Warrington was 9.9 per 100,000, and the national rate was 10.1, while within the north west, the town is ranked 12th out of 23 local authority areas.

A spokesman added: “In Warrington, there is a programme of free suicide prevention training for staff and volunteers from not-for-profit organisations who support residents – warringtontraininghub.uk/publichealthtraining

“As a council, we play an active role in local and regional mental health projects, and campaigns specifically targeting men.

“Warrington, alongside other local authorities, supports World Suicide Prevention Day and World Mental Health Day every year to raise awareness of mental health and the support available

“We actively promote the mental health awareness website for Warrington – happyoksad.org.uk – which includes details of services that can offer information, advice, support or treatment, and it also has information about what to do if someone can’t cope and needs help urgently.”

If you are struggling and would like to talk to someone, call Samaritans for free from any phone on 116123.

Alternatively Papyrus, dedicated to helping people under 35 at risk of suicide, via its HopelineUK service.

Visit papyrus-uk.org/hopelineuk/ or call 0800 068 4141, text 07786209697 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org