Cumberland Council has today published The Big Question: Understanding Suicide in Cumberland, a major new report bringing together local data and lived experience to better understand suicide, self-harm, and support needs across the area.
The report was commissioned by Cumberland Council in response to concerns that suicide rates in Cumberland were higher than the national average, and to better understand local patterns, risk factors, and support needs.
The findings are based on a large local survey of more than 800 residents, most of whom had been personally affected by suicide. Additional insight came from interviews and focus groups with people who had experienced suicidal distress, been bereaved by suicide, or supported others in crisis.
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data (October 2025 release) shows the suicide rate in England at 10.9 per 100,000 people and 11.2 per 100,000 across England and Wales, compared to 13.6 per 100,000 in the North-West and 19.4 per 100,000 in Cumberland, underlining the scale of the local challenge.
The report was funded by the NDA, supported by Cumberland’s Health Determinants Research Collaborative (HDRC), and carried out in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University.
Key findings from the report
- Around one in five reported having attempted suicide.
- Younger adults face higher levels of risk, while older adults are least likely to receive support.
- Men are less likely to seek help, while women are more likely to report suicidal thoughts or attempts but may not receive follow-up care.
- Over half of respondents have been bereaved or affected by suicide, highlighting the far-reaching impact on families, friends, workplaces, and communities.
The report also delivers an important and hopeful message: early support makes a difference. People who received help for suicidal thoughts were significantly less likely to go on to attempt suicide.
Cumberland Council is already taking action to prevent suicide and improve mental wellbeing across the county. This includes commissioning local research, supported by the HDRC, to ensure suicide prevention work reflects real lived experience rather than relying solely on national data.
The Council also leads a multi-agency suicide prevention partnership, working closely with the NHS, voluntary and community organisations, and people with lived experience.
Alongside this, the Council supports community awareness and stigma-reduction initiatives that encourage open conversations about suicide, provides clear signposting to mental health, crisis, and bereavement support, and continues to invest in early intervention and emotional wellbeing services for children and young people, including targeted pilots focused on neurodiversity and mental health.
Information about local mental health and wellbeing support is available on the Cumberland Council website: mental health support
While this work provides a strong foundation, the findings of the report show that more needs to be done.
Cumberland Council will now use the findings of The Big Question to strengthen local suicide prevention activity, with the Zero Suicide Cumberland vision. This work will focus around three key themes, each of which aims to ensure people receive the support they need long before reaching crisis point.
- Real Voices – putting lived experience at the centre of what we do and destigmatising conversations around suicide.
- Visible Education & Support – treating mental health with the same seriousness as physical health and improving access to suicide prevention training and support.
- Stronger Partnerships – deepening our work with health partners and community organisations to deliver services that serve our diverse communities across all of Cumberland.
Work will also focus on groups most at risk or least likely to receive support, including young adults, older people, men, and gender-diverse residents.
Addressing inequalities between towns and rural areas will remain a priority, alongside building confidence in communities through practical training to help people recognise warning signs, ask about suicide safely, and connect others to support. Improved support for those bereaved or affected by suicide will also be a key focus, recognising the wider community impact of suicide loss.
Cllr Justin McDermott, Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Communities, said: “This report carries a powerful message of hope, and I want to say thank you to everyone who participated, your courage will drive forward the change we so desperately need. This is only the beginning and to change the narrative, we must embed the vision of Zero Suicide Cumberland in all of our communities in everything we do. Suicide is preventable and every death by suicide is one too many. Let’s work together to ensure everyone gets the support they need long before reaching crisis point.”
Colin Cox, Director of Public Health, Customer and Community Wellbeing at Cumberland Council, said: “This report shines a light on an issue that affects all our communities. Understanding the experiences of those in crisis helps us act early to save lives. Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility, and these findings will guide how we deliver services across Cumberland to reach people before they reach crisis.”
Dr Emma Ashworth, Associate Professor in Child & Adolescent Mental Health at Liverpool John Moores University said: “We would like to thank all of the Cumberland residents who took the time to share their experiences with us. The findings highlight some key issues affecting the community, and crucially offer lots of different solutions that could be implemented in the region. We hope that these can be used to produce meaningful change, helping to improve individuals’ quality of life and reduce thoughts of suicide.”
NDA Director of Socio-Economics, Jamie Reed, said: “This study will play a vital role in underpinning a collective community response to suicide prevention work in Cumberland and in helping to ensure the right support is in place for anyone who needs it.
“As a significant employer in the area it’s important we better understand the issues which affect our communities and we work with local partners to fund a wide range of local projects, including mental health and well-being initiatives, which deliver long-lasting, positive change.”
Suicide prevention is not the responsibility of any single organisation. Kindness, connection, early support, and community action all play a vital role.
Anyone who is struggling, or worried about someone else, can find support through local services, GPs, voluntary organisations, or national helplines such as Samaritans on 116 123, available 24 hours a day.
Find the full report below:
Find the executive summary below: