A trust has published figures on those most affected by suicide in the county.

The Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust revealed 80 per cent of all deaths by suicide in Hertfordshire were men.

Figures also suggested 82 per cent of people who died by suicide had discussed their mental health with their GP, 50 per cent were in employment, 23 per cent were “involved” in the criminal justice system, 67 per cent were not in a relationship and 59 per cent were not known to mental health services.

The trust, together with more than 80 people from over 20 organisations working in focus groups making up the Suicide Prevention Network, set up the Hertfordshire Suicide Prevention Strategy in 2017.

The shared vision is a Hertfordshire where no person ever gets to the point where they feel suicide is their only option.

In March this year, all “task and finish” groups in the network made information sharing between organisations, a regular county suicide audit, improved referrals and support for bereave families, key areas of progress to focus on.

Support of other organisations and campaigns such as Spot the Signs, Healthy Young Minds in Herts School Accreditation and Suicide Aware School status, and Just Talk which aims to normalise mental health conversations for teenage boys, were also prioritised.

Catherine Pelley, deputy director at Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, said of the strategy: “We must all join together in our continued ambition to reduce the number of deaths in our county.”

Please find details of some of the support available here: http://www.hpft.nhs.uk/information-and-resources/spot-the-signs/urgent-help/

If you need support and would like to discuss issues relating to suicide, call the Samaritans on 116 123 email jo@samaritans.org or write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA