Damien Moore MP has today welcomed a ‘significant’ fall in the number of people attempting to take their own lives in the town as he visited volunteers and workers at The Samaritans branch in Southport.
Statistics obtained from the Department for Health show the number of unplanned accident and emergency attendances that resulted in a hospital admission with a patient group of deliberate self-harm at Southport & Ormskirk NHS Trust has fallen by more than 50% in six years, from 422 in 2010-11 to 203 in 2016-17.
Figures also obtained by the Department for Health show the number of unplanned accident and emergency attendances that resulted in a hospital admission with a primary diagnosis of psychiatric condition has fluctuated in recent years but remains similar to what it was in 2010-11, suggesting many residents suffering from mental health in the town are now being supported through early intervention.
The announcement follows a visit by the town’s MP to the Samaritans branch in Southport where he spoke with the Chief Executive, Gerard Hughes, and national trustee, Jayne Finch, about mental health in the constituency and how the national charity is supporting those contemplating suicide.
Commenting on the fall in the number of attempted suicides and the reported number of mental health cases, Damien said:
“Whilst mental health cases have remained relatively equal to 2010-11, the number of people admitted to our hospital services in Southport as a result of attempted suicide has significantly decreased. It shows that the work done by mental health charities is coming to fruition, as more and more people are seeking treatment and are willing to speak about their experiences with mental health, yet are receiving help, support, and early intervention, which is positive news.”
“But, of course, one death or attempted suicide is too many and I know there will be many residents in Southport who are suffering in silence. To those people, I would encourage them to reach out to one of the amazing services we have in Southport.”
“I visited the Southport Samaritans branch a couple of days before Christmas Day to say thank you for all their work on behalf of residents and to learn more about the phone line service they are providing and how we can secure its longevity.”
“The Samaritans are an amazing charity, and their volunteer’s generosity is outstanding. The work they do in our community is unparalleled and, thanks to their intervention in a significant number of cases, the number of attempted suicides is at its lowest in the last seven years.”
If you are suffering from Mental Health or are contemplating suicide, you can call The Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their branch on 32 Union Street, Southport, PR9 0QE.
The count of the unplanned accident and emergency attendances that resulted in a hospital admission with a primary diagnosis of psychiatric condition for Southport and Ormskirk Hospital National Health Service Trust:
https://w ww.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2017-12-13.119416.h&s=section%3Awrans+speaker%3A25630#g119416.q0
Count of unplanned accident and emergency attendances that resulted in a hospital admission with a patient group of deliberate self-harm for Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust:
https://w ww.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2017-12-13.119415.h&s=section%3Awrans+speaker%3A
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