Last year there were 34 attempts, in 2016 27 and in 2015 35. And if this year’s trend continues with an average of 3.5 a month, the number of cases of people attempting to take their own lives will hit a six-year high.
The figures, released following a freedom of information request, come just days after campaigner Andy Le Seelleur called for action to reduce the Island’s high suicide rate, which stood at 15 in 2016 – the latest available figure.
Mr Le Seelleur, who lost his wife to suicide two years ago, said it should be treated as ‘public enemy number one’ and he called on the community and the States to work together to tackle what he sees as the Island’s worryingly high rate of people taking their own lives.
The new figures show that there were 157 cases of self-harm recorded at the General Hospital’s Emergency Department between January and September. Of those, 32 were classed as attempted suicides. In 2017 there were 198 cases of self-harm and in 2016 there were 210.
The response to the FOI request, which was not submitted by this newspaper, says that the figures reflect all attendances at the Emergency Department where the patient’s diagnosis category was recorded as attempted suicide or deliberate self-harm.
It adds: ‘In addition, some individuals had a diagnosis category of psychiatric, where more detailed Emergency Department diagnosis field showed that some self-harm had occurred (for example where the main concern was psychiatric but lacerations were also recorded).’
Meanwhile, following Mr Le Seelleur’s call to action, the Samaritans said they wanted to remind anyone having suicidal thoughts or requiring emotional support that they can be contacted via email, text message, over the phone or face to face at 30 Hue Street.
As well as offering outreach work in the community, the organisation offers workshops and presentations and training on suicide awareness and emotional wellbeing in schools and various organisations. They also train prisoners at La Moye as ‘listeners’ so they can offer support to fellow inmates.
And Jersey GP Dr James Mair, from the Island Medical Centre, said he would be willing to support anyone interested in setting up a Jersey group of the charity SOBS – Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide. A Jersey branch used to exist but folded a number of years ago and today no official support group exists locally.
He said: ‘I have no specific expertise in the area or personal experience of suicide. However, I have seen how peer support is vital and I know that this particular charity is excellent.
‘However, it will only thrive if a motivated number of individuals can drive it. I’d be happy to be a clinical point of reference to a group of motivated individuals and to liaise with the charity to facilitate any interest in forming a group.’
He added that an ‘obvious leader’ for such a group would be a survivor of bereavement motivated to support others.
In the meantime, anyone interested in engaging with the charity can call 0115 944 1117. The Samaritans can also be contacted on the free telephone number 116123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org.
