A SURGE in people taking their own lives in the North-East has pushed the region to the top of the league table for suicides.

Against the background of a four per cent rise in suicides in the UK between 2012 and 2013 the North-East moved from having the third highest rate of suicides of people over 15 in 2012 to having the highest rate in 2013.

In 2012, 246 North-East people aged over 15 took their own lives, producing a suicide rate of 11.5 per 100,000 of the population and putting the region in third placed behind the North-West and the South-West.

But the 2013 figures show that the number of people taking their own lives increased by 49 to 295, pushing the North-East suicide rate up to 13.8 and putting the region ahead of the North-West in second place with a rate of 12.3.

In 2012 the North-East was second in the table for male suicides but an increase in the number of men taking their lives between 2012 and 2013 - up from 199 to 229 – pushed the region up to first place, with the rate increasing from 18.8 to 22.1.

The national statistics show that males are more than three times more likely than females to take their own lives and men aged between 45 and 59 were the most likely to be suicides.

The national female suicide rate staying relatively constant since 2007 the North-East again saw a sharp increase – with the rate increasing from 4.3 in 2012 to 5.9 in 2013 – reflecting an increase from 48 to 66 female deaths in the region.

This increase pushed the North-East from fourth place to second place, just above the North-West.

The area of England with the lowest overall suicide death was London, which recorded 7.9 per 100,000 in 2013.

Shirley Smith, who runs the If U Care Share Foundation in Chester-le-Street, which supports families who have lost a loved one through suicide, said: “Nobody wants to have the label of having the highest suicide rate in the country. If we knew what was behind this increase we wouldn’t have a problem.”

She urged anyone who was having suicidal thoughts to talk about their feelings with a family member or a friend.

“We know that men are more reluctant than women to ask for help. What I would say to everyone is please don’t bottle things up. Share your concerns,” said Mrs Smith, who set up the charity with her husband Dean after their son Daniel took his own life aged 19.