A BRADFORD health chief has outlined what work is being done to tackle suicide - after new figures were released.

Latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows 50 deaths from suicide were registered in Bradford in 2022 - the most recent year full figures are available.

This was the same as in 2021.

In 2020, 42 deaths from suicide were registered in Bradford.

Sarah Muckle, director of public health at Bradford Council, said: "While in Bradford we have the lowest suicide rate in West Yorkshire, we believe that every death by suicide is a tragedy and could be prevented.

"We have undertaken work to make mental health services and crisis services more accessible to our residents as well as promoting suicide prevention training that anyone can access.

"Last year we worked with major sports teams in the district, including Bradford Bulls, Keighley Cougars, Bradford City and Yorkshire County Cricket club, to promote the Check in With Your Mate campaign.

"The campaign aims to encourage people, in particular men, to check in with each other and normalise conversation around mental health and suicide.

"We have also supported the West Yorkshire Suicide Prevention Champions scheme, which launched in September last year with the aim of signing people up as champions to break down the stigma that is often associated with suicide.

"For anyone who is bereaved by suicide, we provide a free specialist bereavement service through Mind."

Last September, the Government published its five-year suicide prevention strategy.

It included a commitment to improve support for people who self-harm, and for those bereaved by suicide.

Plans to tackle harmful digital content about suicide and promote online safety are also a part of the strategy.

But Julie Bentley, chief executive of the Samaritans, said a "more ambitious approach to suicide prevention" was needed.

Ms Bentley warned the strategy "will only take us so far without investment at both a national and local level".

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said its new strategy includes more than 100 measures, with a focus on prevention and earlier intervention.

They added: "In August, the Government also launched a £10million fund for the voluntary sector in England to carry out crucial work to prevent suicides and save lives.

"We're also investing £2.3billion extra a year into mental health services to help an additional two million people access NHS-funded mental health support by 2024."

Contact Samaritans for free at any time on 116 123.