50% of suspected suicide cases in the North East and North Cumbria were not known to mental health services, report finds (Image: South Wales Echo)

A regional health organisations has recorded 375 suspected suicides between April 2024 and March 2025 with only half of cases known to mental health services. Many were however known to have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

In a report to councillors from across the North East, representatives from the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) talked through recent data involving the regional rate of suicides. The rate per 100,000 in the North East and North Cumbria stands 12.5 per 100,000, slightly higher than the national England and Wales average of 11.4.

Other statistics include:

However, only 50% of those who took t

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