Work place stress is thought to be a factor in some suicides

Latest figures show the suicide rate for Darlington is 18 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 10 per 100,000.

A conference brought together experts from the health, social services and voluntary sector.

It was aimed at raising awareness about mental health issues so the problem can be tackled more effectively.

In one part of the town, Northgate, the figure for suicides is 45 per 100,000.

The conference was organised by Darlington Mind, Darlington Primary Care Trust, Darlington Borough Council and the voluntary sector.

Work/life balance

Darlington Primary Care Trust mental health improvement specialist Vicky Waterson said: "It's not just health professionals that are concerned really.

"I think everybody within the Darlington area is quite concerned about the high suicide rate.

"We all have a responsibility to do something about preventing suicide whether you work in the NHS, in the local authority, within the voluntary sector, just living in the community of Darlington, I think we all should be concerned."

She said research showed there were similarities between the town and the national picture - that men under 35 tended to be affected - but there were also differences.

One was that nationally, those affected were mainly unemployed but in Darlington it was people who had jobs. She says that means they know where to target their work.

Among the issues are protecting people's mental and physical health, getting the right work/life balance and making sure people were not isolated.

Ms Waterson said a wider approach was also needed, looking at housing, employment and environmental factors.