The Big Question: Understanding Suicide Rates in Cumberland
Considerable work on suicide prevention has been undertaken in Cumbria over the last 10 years but, despite being based on available evidence and recognised best practice, suicide rates have remained high. One fundamental problem is that we simply do not know why suicide rates in Cumberland are so high. We know that there are a multitude of reasons that people take their own lives; we know that there is no specific type of person who does so; we know that people who have lost a family member to suicide are at greater risk themselves; we know that people are seeking an escape from the challenging situation they find themselves in; but we do not know why so many people in Cumberland die by suicide when compared to other similar regions.
Before Cumberland Council embarks on the preparation of a new suicide prevention strategic plan, they want to understand the lived experience and causality that sits behind the loss of life to suicide in Cumberland, in order to give them the best chance of identifying the interventions that could actually make a difference.
This project, the Big Question, will seek to understand why suicide rates are so much higher in Cumberland than elsewhere in England. The study, conducted by LJMU and commissioned by Cumberland Council, will aim to explore residents’ and communities’ exposure to suicide, if and how it has affected their lives, and if they have considered suicide, why, and what could or would have helped them to make different choices.
The study also provides opportunity for structured conversation with friends, family, and significant others who had a close relationship with the person who has been lost, to enable a fuller contextual understanding. This will help in understanding the views of those who are bereaved and also those with lived experience of suicidality, so that the Local Authority can better support people going forward. The findings of this study will directly underpin future suicide prevention work conducted by the Local Authority.
Take part in the research
We are conducting a survey to find out more about the views of Cumberland residents on the suicide rates in the region. Take part in our survey. Anyone aged over 18 who lives in Cumberland can take part. More details are available on the survey link.
We are also looking for Cumberland residents aged 18 or above to take part in an interview. Individuals who have experience of, personal suicidal thoughts or behaviours, bereavement by suicide, or supporting someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours (personally or professionally) can take part in an interview with a researcher.
The interview can take place either online or in-person, and should last about 45 minutes. The interview will ask you about your experiences of living with or supporting someone with suicidal thoughts, and will seek your thoughts on what might be going on in Cumberland and what could be done differently. To find out more or to take part, please view the participant information sheet (PDF, 229KB) or email the research team: E.L.Ashworth@ljmu.ac.uk.
Help and support
If you are having thoughts of suicide, or are worried about someone else, you can receive help from the following organisations:
- Samaritans, crisis listening service – call 116 123, open 24/7
- Papyrus, for the prevention of suicide of under 35s – call 0800 068 41 41, open 24/7
- Every Life Matters, suicide awareness and prevention charity in Cumbria
- NHS crisis support – call 111, open 24/74
Further information
For more information, please contact Dr Emma Ashworth.