The Full Story
Why Cumbria?
The suicide figures in Cumbria have been higher than the national average for well over a decade and we are too often overlooked as a county with our growing figures and restricted access to mental health services. Cumbria now has the highest death by suicide rate in England and Wales, with Copeland having the highest rate per capita, per district and Carlisle with the second highest respectively in England and Wales.
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The impact the Baton of Hope Tour will have on our county is significantly needed. We aim to bring together as many third sector organisations, businesses and individuals to highlight the army of support out there in Cumbria for those who struggle with their mental health and suicide, and for those bereaved by suicide.
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We need to start more conversations around mental health and suicide to normalise the subjects and reduce the stigma. We need to change the narrative from despair to hope where suicide is concerned.
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We are fighting back as a county - The Baton of Hope is a key part of that battle!
The Suicide Crisis in cumbria
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Cumbria has a suicide rate that is 55% above the national average
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Copeland & Carlisle have 1st & 2nd highest suicide rates per district in England & Wales
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Barrow in Furness has one of the highest emergency admission for self harm and the 5th highest suicide rate in England & Wales
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Cumbria has double the England average of people dying by suicide who were in contact with Mental Health Services
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Our Project Lead & Why its So important
Hi, I'm Lisa Birdsall - my winning bid ensured that Cumbria would be included in the 2025 Baton of Hope Tour. After becoming a Baton Bearer as part of the 1st tour in 2023, I knew that Cumbria needed to be included, especially now given the suicide rates we have across the county. It is a powerful movement for change!
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Suicide has unfortunately affected mine and my families lives in many ways. I lost my brother Stephen to suicide in 2015, he was 34 years old, I have also lost a number of friends to suicide over the last 15 years, as have many people across Cumbria. I am also a survivor of suicide, I understand, from many different angles, how devastating suicide can be. A loss to suicide doesn't just affect 1 individual, or even 1 family - it devastates whole communities.
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I'm passionate about making a difference to change the landscape and opinions around mental health and suicide and I welcome anybody who would like to join in this very important fight 💙
