Published: 18 December 2024
A team of researchers have started a project to help understand the reasons behind the high incidence of suicide in Cumberland, and determine how best to support people with their mental health.
The study which is being conducted by researchers at Liverpool John Moores University has been commissioned by Cumberland Council and supported by the council’s Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC).
The research will explore residents’ and communities’ exposure to suicide, if and how it has affected their lives and, if they have considered suicide, why this was. It is also hoped to understand what could or would have helped them to make different choices.
The findings of this study will directly underpin future suicide prevention work.
An online survey is available to anyone over 18 who lives in Cumberland. This can be found online. Researchers would also like to speak directly with residents who are aged over 18 who have experience of personal suicidal thoughts or behaviours, or been affected through bereavement. They are also keen to interview anyone supporting someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours, either personally or as part of their profession.
Cumberland currently has the fourth highest rate of suicide in the country.