Suicide rates among women in Darlington are more than double the national average, it has emergd. 

The shocking statistics provide an insight into the worrying health of females throughout the town. 

Suicide rates among females in Darlington are 10.9 per 100,000 - higher than the North East and national averages of 6.1 and 5.2 respectively. Suicide rates for males stand at 21 compared to the North East average of 21.4 and the national figure of 15.8. 

Levels of self-harm and the rate of emergency hospital admissions are also significantly higher in young women than in young men nationally, regionally, and in Darlington.

Council officials have announced the need for targeted interventions to reduce the rates. 

“It is essential to understand the reasons for the increasing suicide rate amongst women and the significantly higher rates of intentional self-harm,” Darlington Borough Council said. 

“This understanding will inform targeted activity aimed at reducing female rates of self-harm and suicide rate in Darlington, alongside targeted interventions for males.”

Councillor Matthew Roche, cabinet member for Health, said: “It’s particularly shocking to see that Darlington is an outlier. It’s a concern for all of us.”

The council’s health and wellbeing board was told work is ongoing in the community to support and educate people in the town. 

Lorraine Hughes, director of public health, said: “We will be developing a local suicide prevention action plan. We’re working with Healthwatch and a mental health network has been set up. We’re really focused on this issue”

Councillor Heather Scott questioned whether the deaths could be linked to the rise of cyberbullying and social media. “Have we been able to dig deeper to see why the rates have increased,” she said. 

“It’s a major concern for us and we also need to concentrate on the reasons behind these statistics.”

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Ms Hughes said the council’s data is limited but hopes its community work can help reduce the rates. 

She told the meeting: “We don’t have that data but there does seem to be a link and there’s a lot of work to regulate social media platforms. Going forward, we will have more information but there are limitations - the only information we have available is from coroners. 

“That’s why it’s important to do the broader work about mental health and wellbeing, and supporting people to understand how and where they can get support. 

Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org.