The number of suicides in a Suffolk district increased by 76% between 2021 and 2022, according to latest figures that showed an overall rise in deaths in the county.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown that in 2021, there were 21 suicides in east Suffolk, but in 2022 this figure had risen to 37 - the most recent year for which records are available.

In the county as a whole, there were 77 suicides in 2022, compared with 67 in 2021.

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The 77 figure is the joint second highest in the county since 2001, with the highest number being in 2020 when there were 81 deaths.

However, the east Suffolk number is the highest since 2001 and three more than the second highest of 34 deaths in 2020.

Ezra Hewing, head of education at mental health charity Suffolk Mind, said without knowing specifics, he could only speculate on the causes that had led to the rise in suicides in the county.

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However, he said research had shown that the most frequent causes of suicides included job loss, unemployment, relationship breakdown and loss of contact with family, as well as social isolation and surviving domestic and sexual abuse.

He added suicide was the number one cause of death in males aged 45-49 and although strategic efforts to reduce suicide rates had focused on encouraging those at risk to seek help, 90% of people had been in contact with services when they died from suicide.

He added: "Forward-thinking researchers have argued that we need to proactively ask people affected by these risk factors wherever they encounter services; that includes debt management, family liaison and the courts, as well as mental health and domestic and sexual abuse agencies.

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“There is also a need for training in recognising how men express distress and suicidal thoughts, which may not conform to our assumptions about how people voice their pain.

"If you or someone you know needs support, please visit our website to find out more about the services and resources available.

"Alternatively, businesses and organisations can organise mental health training for their team through The Mental Health Toolkit, part of Suffolk Mind.”  

If you are struggling to cope, call Samaritans for free, day or night, 365 days a year, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.