Wigan's suicide rate is higher than the national average
Over one hundred people have died by suicide in Wigan in the last three years - with the reason puzzling local health bosses.
There is 'still much work to be done', the Suicide Prevention Team admitted during a Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee. A total of 75 per cent of these deaths were men, public health director Rachael Musgrave told the committee at Wigan Town Hall on October 24. However, Coun Danny Fletcher did probe as to why Wigan’s suicide rates were higher than the national average. A member of the Suicide Prevention Team said 'it was not clear.'
The SPT consists of representatives from the NHS, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Northwest Ambulance Service, Network Rail, Support for those Bereaved by Suicide , Samaritans and wider partners. They all contribute regularly to highlight issues in their services have had in relation to suicide to Wigan Council's team.