THERE has been a “concerning” increase in the the number of women dying by suicide in York.

And there are worries over funding for elements of a new prevention strategy.

York has higher rates of suicide than the national and regional averages, although a report prepared for councillors says there has been a slight fall from 76 deaths over three years to 69.

Public health officers speaking at a City of York Council meeting said: “We are seeing an increase locally in the number of women who are dying by suicide and I think that is is a is a growing concern.”

They asked councillors to write to other organisations to ask if they could provide suicide prevention training out of their own budgets, so more training sessions could be made available to volunteers and residents.

The officer added: “My ambition is to be able to provide this training to anyone across York who wants to attend it , and that that training is free.

“That’s one of the real challenges we have at the moment we’ve very much appealed to the statutory partners on the safeguarding adults board to say can you support this by providing free space? One of the costs of training is the is this room hire, it’s a bit of a wing and a prayer. If we are going to deliver and embed this five-year strategy across the city, training is such a key part of that.”

Cllr James Flinders added: “My concern is that, given the very difficult financial and staffing constraints that I know that the council faces, some of these actions might not be put into place.”

He was told that the suicide prevention strategy is a long term scheme and the council is currently working on a delivery plan.

Anyone suffering from suicidal thoughts can call Samartians for free confidential help at any time on 116 123.