THERE were four suspected suicides in Barrow over the Christmas period, a mental health campaigner has said.

Deborah Henry, who was instrumental in the formation of the Barrow Men’s Group in 2018, revealed the startling statistic in a hope of encouraging young men and women to address mental health issues.

Christmas and January are considered lonely times of the year and across the country suicide rates spike during the winter months, including in Barrow.

In the last twelve months Furness has been rocked with a devastating deaths.

The trend has been so concerning The Mail joined forces with local charities and health bosses to launch the Time to Talk campaign.

The aim is simple, to rid the taboo around mental health and to reassure those suffering it is OK not be OK.

Speaking to The Rotary Club of Furness, health and wellbeing coach Ms Henry said: “There were four suspected cases in Barrow alone over the Christmas period.”

She said the aim of Barrow Men’s Group was to provide a safe and confidential space for men to talk about health issues.

Ms Henry said: “It’s not about tackling the rise of male suicides, it’s about prevention.

“We have campaigns running all the time in Barrow encouraging people to talk if they are experiencing poor mental health and for the majority of the time it helps.

“But there’s the small minority where it doesn’t and these are the men who feel they have no other option but to kill themselves in that hopelessness and despair.

Rotarians heard Barrow was one of the most deprived areas in the country with life expectancy for men 13 years lower than the national average.

The move to transfer services from the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to the Lancashire Care NHS Trust was criticised by health campaigners.

The trust had been told it requires improvement by the Care Quality Commission watchdog.

Campaigners felt Barrow’s complex issues around supporting people with mental health problems would be exacerbated..

Richard Morgan, acting medical director at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, recognised suicide as one of the largest and most emotional challenges facing the organisation.

He said: “Everyone in the team recognises the impact that suicide and attempted suicide incidents have on our communities and the devastating effect it has on families, friends and loved ones. We are committed to learning from every case.

“Nationally most people who die by suicide are not in contact with mental health services. Consequently we, alongside a broad range of statutory and third sector partners, are working hard to make it easier to access services and get help if you are feeling this way. We are also working to deliver the Lancashire and South Cumbria suicide reduction plan which includes real tangible actions designed to make a difference. This is a priority for us and we understand the concern.”

Simon Fell, Barrow and Furness MP, said: “Every suicide is a tragedy. There’s no simple fix to what are essentially a range of complex and challenging issues. We need better mental health provision in schools and the NHS so that people have the support they need, but also we need to be more open. The truth is that often people just need a friend, and an arm wrapped around them. If you’re worried about someone, if they seem distant, be a friend and be there for them.”

Barrow councillor Bill McEwan, who lost his son to suicide, said: “There are things going in in Barrow like Every Life Matters and Red January which are really trying to tackle the issue of mental health.

“The government should be pumping more funding into mental health and help improve services.”

The Samaritans operate a free to call service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 116 123.

Barrow Men’s Group takes place every Monday from 6.30pm until 8.30pm at the Griffin Community Hall.