Richmond's suicide rate is higher than the London average, according to a progress update on the Richmond Suicide and Self-harm Prevention Strategy (2022-2025) presented at a recent Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee meeting.
The report presented at the meeting indicated that Richmond recorded a suicide rate of 9.1 deaths per 100,000. While this is higher than London's rate of 7.0, it remains lower than the national average of 10.7. These differences are not statistically significant1. Male suicides are approximately three times more frequent than female suicides.
Dr. Ramir Ravindane, consultant in public health for Richmond Borough Council, and Graham Marpa, senior public health leader and suicide prevention leader, presented the progress update. The strategy aims to reduce suicide and self-harm across all age groups using a prevention approach. Key objectives include understanding local needs, challenging stigma, improving access to information and post-vention support, preventing suicide and self-harm among young people, improving access to services, and improving crisis responses.
Key achievements of the strategy include the rollout of Portus, an online toolkit for self-harm and suicide prevention, targeted training for frontline staff, and improved real-time suicide surveillance systems. The improved surveillance system is being used to inform and adapt the suicide prevention strategy, with Richmond working towards enhanced data-sharing with neighbouring boroughs and the Integrated Care Board to inform the development of a refreshed Suicide and Self-harm strategy from 2026.
Challenges remain in improving access to psychological therapies for at-risk groups. The committee is working to Identify key performance indicators with commissioners of psychological therapies to improve access for at-risk groups.
Councillor O'Shea raised the issue of trauma for those who witness suicides, particularly on the railways, noting that one of the spots in Richmond is a hot spot for people jumping in front of trains. The report notes that the council works with the Samaritans and commissioned a bereavement service run by Mind. Graham Marpa added that the council works very closely with the Samaritans and other voluntary sector organisations, and that the Samaritans will deploy staff in locations on a regular basis post event. He also mentioned that there is a community action plan in place to counter clustering contagion.
Councillor Vollum asked about support for menopausal women. Councillor O'Shea stated that it would be good to have statistics on suicide rates of menopausal and perimenopausal women and to consider a work stream of prevention for that group. Graham Marpa responded that the council does not have the granular data but knows that women aged between 45 and 54 have the highest rates of suicide and so there's definitely a correlation there and there is some evidence that's building around causation as well. He stated that it's absolutely right for us to focus on that group.
The committee noted the progress made in the Richmond Suicide and Self-harm Prevention Strategy and agreed that bi-annual updates be provided.
