Cornwall has ranked as one of the worst regions for ‘Deaths of Despair’, a study has found. Deaths of Despair (DoD) are socially patterned fatalities typically attributed to drug and alcohol misuse and suicide. They tend to occur much more frequently in socially deprived communities.
Researchers in Manchester have published a report in ‘Social Science and Medicine’ that shows that 46,200 people lost their lives due to Death of Despair in England (2019–2021), with most in the North. However Cornwall ranked 7th of the regions in the report for mortality rate, with almost double the DoDs in the study period compared to neighbouring Devon.
Commenting, Steve Lodge, Lib Dem candidate for Police & Crime Commissioner in the forthcoming election, said the study highlights the need for a very different approach to policing in Cornwall.
“This is a devastating statistic for Cornwall and one that highlights the need for earlier intervention in such cases. It’s important to remember that these are ‘lives of despair ‘and can be saved with the right approach. Individuals in despair are likely to have recent trouble with police, a history of imprisonment, more violent behaviours, homelessness, and parental adverse histories.
“If we can identify patterns of behaviour sooner then we can save lives. It’s very similar to identifying patterns of behaviour in violence against women and girls, an issue I have been discussing with Lib Dem parliamentary candidates in Cornwall. The issues highlight how important a multi-agency approach is to supporting people in difficult personal situations. The ongoing impact on the police is particularly high when signals are missed.
“I am committed to more engagement with senior officers, communities and other agencies and a renewed focus on community policing and reform. I believe we can prevent tragic deaths and the impacts they have on society in the county.”
Deaths of Despair are an avoidable human cost of inequitable resource distribution. The conclusions of the research underscore the imperative for accelerated implementation of the UK Government’s policy on ‘Levelling Up’, which has come under recent criticism. A week ago a parliamentary watchdog reported there were “no compelling examples of delivery” of the levelling up agenda.
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953624000042?via%3Dihub