A COMMUNITY left devastated by suicide has welcomed a ‘life-changing’ mental health scheme that will provide 24/7 support.

A new community hub funded by NHS England will open in Whitehaven later this year as part of a pilot to provide more mental health support in local communities.

The Copeland area has the highest suicide rate in England, with 20 people per 100,000 dying by suicide in 2020-22 – double the national rate. Referrals to local mental health services have trebled since 2017.

The hub will provide round-the-clock mental health support and will bring together a range of services and staff as one team, under one roof.

Most radically, it will offer an alternative to people needing to be admitted to hospital, by providing four short-stay beds for people who need to be supported at the hub for longer.

The scheme has been welcomed by community leaders and families who have lost loved-ones to suicide – including Mandy Hoskin, whose daughter, Rhegane Carruthers died by suicide in 2018 at the age of 22.

Rhegane Carruthers, of Bigrigg, tragically took her own life in 2018 aged 22 Rhegane Carruthers, of Bigrigg, tragically took her own life in 2018 aged 22 (Image: Archive)

Mrs Hoskin said: “This is so good to hear. I know how bad the suicide rates are in Cumbria. Something has been needed for a long time.

“I just really hope people use it and get the help they need. Mental health is an illness and has destroyed so many people. It leaves family and friends left with an indescribable pain.

“I urge anyone suffering, please, please get help, as you are loved and wanted, and with help and time things will heal.

“Let's hope it helps cut the rate of suicide in Cumbria. We all live in hope.”

Services will be provided by a group of local organisations working in partnership: Cumbria Health; Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW); Everyturn Mental Health; Home Group; iCan Wellbeing Group CIO; and The Well Communities CIC.

People who are struggling with their mental health will be able to get specialist, intensive support from NHS services and other local organisations all based in the hub. It will also work closely with existing community support, such as the Whitehaven Family Hub.

The hub will also offer advice on issues which often affect people’s mental health, like housing, money and employment. And there will be support for the families and carers of people who are unwell.

The new centre in Whitehaven will be one of six pilots across the country, initially funded for two years by NHS England.

Welcoming the announcement, the group said: “This investment will be life-changing for people in Whitehaven and the surrounding area. It will allow us to transform the way mental health care is provided locally.

“A 24/7 support hub in the town centre will bring together specialist health, social care and community services, so people can get the right help, at the right time.

“We have worked with local people and organisations to get the right people around the table to develop this new service, and we are excited to begin the work to make it a reality, together.”

Joseph Ghayouba, who represents Bransty on Cumberland Council, said: "This is a very welcome announcement. Copeland has a 50 per cent higher suicide rate than the rest of the UK and services like this might just start to tip the balance to reversing that horrible statistic."

“All credit to Everyturn Mental Health, Cumbria Health, Home Group,ICan Wellbeing group CIO, and The Well Communities CIC for setting it up.”

Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said: “After 14 years of Conservative government, our NHS is broken. Nowhere is that more evident than in mental health, with long waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment and services stretched well beyond their limits.

Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said he is committed to making sure everyone struggling with their mental health has access to the right supportJosh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said he is committed to making sure everyone struggling with their mental health has access to the right support (Image: Archive)

“I as your Labour MP and the new Labour government is committed to fixing our NHS and making sure everyone struggling with their mental health has access to the right support, in their community, without waiting months or years.

“That’s why I am so excited that Whitehaven will be one of six pilot areas to trial this new community mental health hub approach, which will bring together NHS services and a range of partners to provide immediate support on a walk-in basis to the community of West Cumbria.

“I can’t wait to see it open and will be working closely with local NHS leaders in the months ahead to make sure it is a success.”

Preparations are underway for the hub to open later this year.