BARROW and Carlisle are in the top 10 in England for 'Deaths of Despair,' according to academics from the University of Manchester and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. 

Deaths of Despair (DoD) is a collective term for deaths from alcohol, drugs and suicide. The data factors in suicide deaths of undetermined intent. 

The research comes from 'Risk factors for deaths of despair in England: An ecological study of local authority mortality data' which was published in the February edition of the Social Science and Medicine journal. 

The area with the fourth highest age standardised mortality rate for DoD is Barrow, at 63.4 per 100,000. The seventh highest is Carlisle 59.8. 

The article states: "The rising prevalence and social patterning of DoD poses a major public health challenge. Understanding the underlying socioeconomic factors of DoD is imperative for developing comprehensive strategies that not only target specific risk factors but also consider the intricate relationships among these causes, contributing to more effective prevention and intervention efforts." 

It continues: "DoD showed geographical variation, with significant differences between regions and higher mortality in the north and coastal areas.

"Living in the north, unemployment, White British ethnicity, single person households, economic inactivity, employment in elementary occupations, and living in urban areas were significantly associated with DoD risk. The relationship between DoD and living alone, urbanicity, economic inactivity, and unemployment was considerably stronger in northern regions."

In January, the Office for National Statistics revealed that Barrow had is second-worst year on record for deaths related to drug poisoning in 2022. 15 people in the town died that year. The worst, when 17 people died, was only two years prior. 

Dave Higham, founder of drug rehabilitation support group The Well, said: "It's devastating to lose one life to this addiction - never mind 15. We need to work hand in hand with people who are most likely to die. 

"People need to know if people can break free."

In 2019-21, an estimated 46,200 people died from across England of causes related to DoD, according to the research. 

The research has applied much of the methodology and principles to England that academics developed to understand the opioid crisis in the USA. 

If you need someone to talk to call Samaritans on 116 123.