Death records have revealed the suicide capital of England.
Some of the nation’s favourite seaside resorts feature at the top of the list – while Corby had the highest rate in the entire country.
Government statistics, crunched by MailOnline, reveal 17.5 people in every 10,000 commit suicide in the Northamptonshire town.
Corby was hit by the decline of its steel industry in the 1980s which saw thousands of people in the town being made redundant.
Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that in the last three years there were a total of 14,277 deaths classified as suicides.
But they also show a huge variation across the country – with some parts of England having three times the suicide rate of others.
Government statistics, crunched by MailOnline, reveal 17.5 people in every 10,000 commit suicide in Corby, Northamptonshire
Seaside towns hit hard
Seaside communities appear to be hit hardest by suicides with Cornwall, Blackpool, Thanet, Southport and Eastbourne all featuring in the top ten.
It comes after a recent report showed how coastal communities have some of the highest unemployment and lowest pay rates across the whole country.
The study found policymakers were more preoccupied with more affluent areas and there was a widening gap growing between coastal towns and the rest of England.
The figures, broken down by health authority area, found the second highest suicide rate was found in Kernow, which covers the whole of Cornwall.
The figures, broken down by health authority area, found the second highest suicide rate was found in Kernow, which covers the whole of Cornwall
Some 235 accounts of suicide were recorded by Kernow CCG – the equivalent of 16.5 per every 10,000 people.
At the other end of the scale, the area with the lowest suicide rate in the country was Enfield, in London.
Some 51 people have taken their lives in the three-year period in Enfield – at a rate of 6.1 for every 10,000.
Between 2014 and 2016, three times as many men (10,765) committed suicide than women (3,512).
How is Corby tackling mental health problems?
Dr Nathan Spencer, mental health lead for Northamptonshire, spoke of the provision available in Corby for patients with mental health problems.
He said: ‘As commissioners we have been taking proactive steps to improve provision of care for those suffering from mental health and emotional wellbeing problems in Corby.
‘And we have been closely working with our local Mental Health provider in order to reduce inequities.
‘We have taken huge steps forwards, but we must all work together to address this issue.
‘NHS Corby CCG would encourage those who are suffering with mental health problems and those close to them to seek help.
‘We want people to understand that, no matter how bleak things appear, help is available.’
Corby CCG has also helped to fund a drop-in café in the town, which is open four evenings every week. People are encouraged to drop in and sit and chat with the Corby Mind team over a hot drink.
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see the Samaritans website for details.