Reducing Suicide in St Helens

 Healthwatch St Helens examines ongoing concerns about high suicide rates in the borough, which, despite some temporary improvement, have reached their highest level in 30 years. They aimed to gather firsthand insights through a sensitively designed survey and engagement activities. The survey, conducted between July and November 2025, received 50 responses and included personal stories from bereaved individuals, helping to identify key issues and potential prevention measures. 

The findings show that suicide is rarely caused by a single factor but instead results from a combination of challenges. A major theme was gaps in mental health care, including long waiting times, early discharge, poor continuity of care, and insufficient support for complex conditions. Respondents frequently felt that warning signs were missed or not acted upon. 

Communication difficulties were another key issue, with many people reporting that distress was either not expressed or not taken seriously by others. Isolation and lack of social connection also strongly contributed to vulnerability, often linked to relationship breakdowns, overwork, or limited community support. 

The report also highlights the role of substance use, including alcohol, drugs, and gambling, as well as the impact of trauma, financial stress, and bereavement. Stigma, particularly around men’s mental health, was identified as a barrier that prevents people from seeking help. At the same time, some respondents expressed the belief that nothing could have prevented the suicide, reflecting the complexity of grief and understanding.

Overall, the findings suggest that suicide often stems from accumulated distress, missed opportunities for support, and systems that fail to respond flexibly to individual needs. 

The report also includes examples of existing support, such as Alfie’s Squad, which provides bereavement support for young people, and the Crisis Café, which offers community-based help but may not meet the needs of everyone. 

Key recommendations include developing new peer-support models similar to Alfie’s Squad, commissioning support for people at risk of being bereaved, and creating additional safe, non-clinical spaces to reduce loneliness and isolation. The report also calls for improved training for frontline services, better referral pathways into support organisations, and greater involvement of people with lived experience in decision-making.