MIDDLE-aged men are the main target of work to help prevent suicide across Barnsley with figures showing the rate of men aged 35 to 64 who take their own lives is more than three times the national average.

Barnsley’s suicide rate across all people of all ages is 10.8 per 100,000, which is only fractionally higher than the Yorkshire and Humber average of 10.4, and the all England average of 9.9.

When looking at men only, the rate for Barnsley jumps to 17.6 per 100,000, compared to 16.5 regionally and 15.3 per cent nationally.

But when men aged 35 to 64 are looked at in isolation, the rate jumps to 30.7, which is why they are the main target of a campaign which aims to raise awareness of suicide and encourage people to ask those who may be struggling if they’re ‘all right pal’.

The phrase has been promoted on social media through the hashtag #AlrightPal? for the last couple of years, but will be even more obvious online and around town over the next few days leading up to World Suicide Prevention Day on Monday.

“We’ve had #AlrightPal? turned into a stencil so it can be spray painted, and there are going to be 24 of them sprayed in and around Oakwell ahead of the match against Walsall,” said Phil Ainsworth, a health and well-being officer at Barnsley Council who leads the council’s work on suicide prevention and has garnered the support of Barnsley Football Club.

“We’ve chosen 24 because on average 24 people take their own life in Barnsley every year. In some ways that doesn’t sound a lot, but when you think about it that’s basically someone every two weeks.

“There will also be another 24 of the hashtags around the town centre area in high footfall areas to help get the message out there.

“We’re doing some really targeted prevention work in Barnsley as there is a significant emphasis on this now.”

The council is working together with a number of organisations including the NHS Barnsley CCG, Barnsley Hospital, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, The Samaritans, MIND and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, among others, on a local area suicide prevention plan.

Barnsley is to receive a share of £555,000 from NHS England to support suicide suicide prevention across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw. The aim is to help cut suicide by ten per cent by 2021 and the money will fund both regional and more local campaigns.

Phil said the funding came at a time where people are becoming more open to discussing issues around mental health, with a number of high profile people either speaking about their experiences or supporting mental health causes.

“It’s definitely raised the profile in recent years,” said Phil. “One of things we talk about is what we call parity of esteem, which is basically mental health getting the same representation as physical health.

“If someone’s physically unwell, people are sympathetic, they might have a bandage on an injury, and people will ask if they’re OK and what they need.

“If I’d broken my leg and someone saw me struggling to get into the lift, they’d offer me a hand, or hold the door.

“If people experience issues with mental health, people don’t always see that and it can be more difficult to get that sort of support.”

But Phil said progress was being made, and people were becoming more open in talking about issues with mental health.

“I think there is more conversation taking place which is a good thing.”

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NEXT Monday is World Suicide Prevention Day and Barnsley Council is encouraging people to think about others who may be struggling with mental health.

Phil Ainsworth, a health and well-being officer at Barnsley Council who leads the council’s work on suicide prevention, said the public health team had three key messages to promote to Barnsley people if they think a loved one or friend is struggling:

- Text, call, reach out to your mate or family member asking #AlrightPal?

- Ask how they are, listen without judging

- Be yourself, do everyday things.

Phil also had five further pieces of advice to people who are worried about friends or loved ones.

“Offer reassurance - seeking help can feel lonely, and sometimes scary. You can reassure someone by letting them know that they are not alone, and that you will be there to help.

“Stay calm - even though it might be upsetting to hear that someone you care about is distressed, try to stay calm. This will help your friend or family member feel calmer too, and show them that they can talk to you openly without upsetting you.

“Be patient - you might want to know more details about their thoughts and feelings, or want them to get help immediately. But it’s important to let them set the pace for seeking support themselves.

“Try not to make assumptions. Your perspective might be useful to your friend or family member, but try not to assume that you already know what may have caused their feelings, or what will help.

“Keep social contact. Part of the emotional support you offer could be to keep things as normal as possible. This could include involving your friend or family member in social events, or chatting about other parts of your lives.”