Calls for a wellbeing hub in the south of the county have intensified after figures revealed a sharp increase in the number of people taking their own lives in the area.
"Heartbreaking" new statistics show suicide rates increased in South Norfolk between 2021 and 2023, rising from 7.7 deaths per 100,000 people to 11.3.
This increase is the largest in the county, with Breckland, Great Yarmouth, King's Lynn and North Norfolk all seeing suicide rates go down.
The figure has sparked new calls for a wellbeing hub to be established in the area, similar to those already in place elsewhere in the county.
Nick Fulcher has been campaigning for a new facility to serve Diss and the surrounding areas since the death of his mother-in-law Peggy Copeman in 2019.
Mrs Copeman, who lived with paranoid schizophrenia and dementia, was 81 when she died on the hard shoulder of the M11. She was being transferred back to Norfolk following an out-of-area care placement in Somerset.
Mr Fulcher has become a fervent campaigner for mental health improvements and until recently served as a public governor for the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
However, he resigned from his post after growing frustrated at a lack of progress.
He described the increase in suicide rate as "absolutely heartbreaking".
He said: "This shows how desperately we need a hub in south Norfolk.
"I've been trying so hard to get this in place for the people of Diss and surrounding villages ever since dear Peggy passed away."
What are wellbeing hubs?
Wellbeing hubs are safe spaces where people suffering with mental health problems can access immediate support.
This might take the form of a listening ear or advice, but hubs can also offer a gateway to more acute treatment or care.
There are currently five in Norfolk - in Aylsham, Gorleston, King's Lynn, Norwich and Thetford.
While local NHS bosses commission services, they are often operated by voluntary sector organisations, including Norfolk and Waveney Mind and Access Community Trust.
The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust said the organisation was working with partners to try and identify further sites for wellbeing hubs, with one being south Norfolk.
A spokesman said: "NSFT provides crisis services for the whole of Norfolk and Suffolk.
"The trust is developing a new place-based care group structure to provide strengthened services in each of five localities across Norfolk and Suffolk.
"The trust has invested significantly in ensuring it strengthens its approach to learning from the deaths of people in its care.
"Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis should be reminded that support is available 24/7 by telephoning 11 and selecting the mental health option."
What else do the figures show?
Released each year, suicide rates analyse the number of people who have taken their own lives over three-year period. The latest figures span from 2021 to 2023.
The data includes any death when a person has taken action to end their life, not just those where a coroner has given a conclusion of suicide.
In Norfolk this rate is 11 per 100,000, which sits close to the national average of 10.9.
The district with the highest rate in the region is Norwich, where the figure is 13.7, a slight increase from 12.3 for 2020-2022.
Broadland also saw a slight increase, from 10.4 to 11.1, but rates have declined in all other local authority areas in the county.
Help is out there
Have you been affected by any issues discussed in this article?
Samaritans can be reached 24/7 on 116 123.
The NHS First Response Service is available at all hours on 111, choose option 2 for mental health support.
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