Havering's Suicide Rate Higher Than Expected for Women

Havering has seen a higher proportion of female deaths by suicide than expected, according to the 2024 Suicide Prevention Annual Report. The report, presented at the Havering Health & Wellbeing Board meeting on Wednesday, also noted that almost half of the suspected suicides in 2024 occurred in a public place.

Sam Westrop, presenting the annual report, noted that on average, there are 18 registered deaths by suicide a year in Havering, equating to roughly one death every three weeks. In 2024, there were 17 deaths by suspected suicide among Havering residents.

The average age of those who died was slightly younger than the national statistics, and the average index of multiple deprivation was higher than the Havering average.

The council has implemented a process for safeguarding referrals, and has referred three cases to adult safeguarding colleagues, resulting in a suicide-themed safeguarding adult review. The council also undertook a site-specific investigation after two suspected suicides occurred at the same location within a 12-month period, resulting in five site-specific recommendations to encourage the safe area:

1. Distribute leads and/or dog waste bag holders to dog walkers and members of the community with information on assisting individuals in distress to promote collective responsibility.
2. Improve Samaritans signage at the location to ensure better visibility for those who may come to the site experiencing suicidal thoughts or intent.
3. Review Samaritans signage at other similar sites in Havering to ensure better visibility for those who may come to the site who may be in crisis.
4. Visit adjacent public houses to hand out cards and hang up Samaritans posters
5. Add sensor lighting (blue) at the site

Recommendations from the 2024 annual report include:

• Adopting and implementing a local all-age suicide prevention strategy.
• Continuing to review each suspected suicide among Havering residents.
• Gaining clarity on the outputs of reviews conducted by wider systems partners.
• Scoping the possibility of obtaining additional data sources beyond the Near Real Time Suspected Suicide Surveillance System (nRTSSS).
• Working with GP practices across the borough to include their expertise in the panel review process.
• Implementing the agreed action plan resulting from the strategy.

Ms Westrop highlighted the work of the wider stakeholder group, which has over 175 members, the suicide prevention strategy steering group, which has 50 members, and the lived experience advisory group, which has 11 members. She also announced a conference to be held on 10 September in partnership with North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT), and a public campaign to reduce stigma around suicide. The activities planned for the public campaign include bus stop posters, a social media advertising campaign and a radio advert on Time FM.

Vicki Kong asked whether the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) was involved as part of the stakeholder groups, given the link between substance misuse and suicide. Ms Westrop confirmed that they were involved in the consultation period, and that there may be scope for providing information sessions and training for pharmacists in suicide prevention.

Mark Ansell, Director of Public Health, commended Ms Westrop and Isabel Grant-Funck for their work, noting that Havering's approach is at least as good as anywhere else in London.