HEALTH chiefs are aiming to drastically cut the suicide rate in Darlington after it was revealed to be one of the worst in the region.

Statistics show 17 people per 100,000 take their own lives in the town each year, compared with a regional average of about seven per 100,000.

The national average is ten people per 100,000 population, but the Government wants to see that reduced by 20 per cent by 2010.

The only town with a worst rate than Darlington in County Durham and Teesside is Middlesbrough, with 21 suicides per 100,000 population. Darlington Primary Care Trust has devised an action plan to try to reduce the rate, which will go before its board at a meeting tomorrow.

The plan outlines proposals for the future plus measures already in place, including the appointment of a specialist mental health nurse and part-time liaison psychiatrist at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

"They see people who come to casualty following an incident of self-harm," said trust spokesman Sue Dixon.

"They will assess their problems and needs, offer them follow-up support and link them to other mental health services where needed or desired.

"We are also trying to change people's attitudes to suicide. The feedback we are getting is that this new service is improving things."

A mental health helpline has been set up to provide out-of-hours support for patients and carers.

The freephone number 0800 0857027 is open from 5pm to 9am Monday to Friday, and 24 hours a day at weekends and bank holidays.

"The line has proved popular, so do try again if you find it is busy," said Mrs Dixon.

For those with severe mental illness, a crisis resolution and home treatment team has been established to offer urgent help out-of-hours.

The action plan is aimed at targeting vulnerable groups, such as people with a history of self-harm, patients known to the mental health services, those in crisis and others who have been through the criminal justice system. Studies show that young men are the most likely to kill themselves.