A PAN-DORSET suicide strategy is claiming success  – despite additional mental health problems brought on by the pandemic.

The multi-agency approach was started in 2020 involving both unitary councils and a number of health partners.

A report to councillors concludes: “Overall, there has been significant progress in promoting suicide prevention and wider mental wellbeing agendas through communications, training and support services,” although adding that some areas of work have been hampered by the pandemic and other factors, including problems in sharing information.

Councillors will be told at a BCP health overview and scrutiny committee on May 23 that men are more likely to end their lives by suicide than women. Data from 2016-2018 identified the highest group at risk being aged 45 - 59 years, making them a key target group across Dorset within the suicide prevention programme.

“Themes that emerge suggest that people had a mental health history, with some already known to mental health services, or suspected suicides due to relationship issues, or a bereavement,” said the joint health service and council report.

The programmes has included a range of strategies including training courses to raise awareness in the community and among health professionals, including a mental health first aid course which will be assessed for effectiveness by Bournemouth University.

Other workstreams have included supporting community groups to respond to local needs; using those who have lived experience of suicide or attempted suicide to support other people; and additional support for those bereaved through suicide.

The report notes that one of the key areas, improving data and intelligence, has been hampered by out of date figures from the Office for National Statistics and the inability of some partners to be able to share information which, the report notes, “are being worked through currently between Dorset Police, Public Health Dorset and the NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group.”

Wider programmes are also being considered including wellbeing programmes to reduce social isolation and loneliness and a Light On programme to encourage men to talk about their mental health issues.

The meeting will be told that with a new national strategy anticipated later this year local plans will then need to be reviewed.