Blackburn with Darwen has higher rates than nationally of suicide, depression and self-harming by young people.

The disturbing figures are revealed in a report to tonight's executive board of the borough council, which coincides with World Mental Health Day.

The authority's public health portfolio holder Cllr Damian Talbot will ask the meeting to approve a five-year plan to tackle the growing issue.

The document 'Blackburn with Darwen’s Place-based Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025 to 2030' outlines a series of measures developed in collaboration with local health and care organisations and the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board.

It includes the latest statistics on the issues.

Cllr Talbot's report says: "Local data shows many young people and adults in Blackburn with Darwen experience poor mental health.

"The prevalence of depression has been increasing in the borough year-on-year with the percentage of patients aged 18 plus with depression, as recorded on GP disease registers, at 17.2 per cent in 2023. This is significantly higher than the national figure of 13.2 per cent.

"There are more than 2,400 people (all ages) with a diagnosis of severe mental illness (including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other psychoses), accounting for 1.34 per cent of the total GP registered population. This is higher than the England prevalence of one per cent.

"Some 3.3 per cent of school pupils from Blackburn with Darwen were identified as having social, emotional and mental needs, slightly higher than the national rate of three per cent.

"Between 2021 and 2023, there have been 49 deaths by suicide in the borough, 36 males and 13 females. The rate of suicides is 12 per 100,000 and is higher than England's rate of 10.7.

"Hospital admissions for self-harm among those aged 10 to 24 is at a rate of 599.5 per 100,000, significantly worse than national and regional rates.

"Rates of admissions for 10 to 14-year-olds is the fourth highest amongst upper tier authorities in the North West."

Cllr Talbot's report outlines a five-year strategy to 'drive action' on the issue starting with a two-year action plan which will be reviewed in 2027.

It tells the senior councillors: "The mental health of local residents has a significant impact on Blackburn with Darwen as a place and is a key priority for all the health and care organisations in the borough.

"Having good mental health and wellbeing allows individuals to be prosperous, to contribute to our economy, to play a part in our communities and ultimately to be happier and healthier.

"It is associated with a range of better outcomes for people of all ages and backgrounds."