Data from a Freedom of Information request concerning suicide callouts attended by Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue have revealed that 54 people have either taken or tried to take their lives since 2019 in the county.
With rates staying mostly the same throughout each year, it also appears despite the emotional and mental turmoil it brought on, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have had little to no effect on Hertfordshire’s suicide rates.
It should be mentioned the data contains no clarification if a death took place at the callout and does also not include data for events unattended by the fire service.
The data is also consistent with national levels, with Hertfordshire recording one of the lower suicide rates in the UK.
A spokesperson for Mind in Herts, part of the UK’s leading mental health charity Mind, said: If the current evidence we have show’s there has not been any increase in numbers of people taking their life then of course we will be pleased.
“However, it has been estimated that 10 people will be profoundly affected and around 135 people will be affected by each person dying by suicide. There is also a considerable economic cost- estimated at around £1.7 million per death.
“One suicide is one too many and we are working as part of the Hertfordshire Suicide Prevention Steering group with the aim that no one in Hertfordshire feels their only choice is to take their life.”
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