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Shining a light on the impact of lives lost to alcohol, drugs and suicide

PH image 2024

We can all support in shining a light on the impact of lives lost to alcohol, drugs and suicide by listening to people with lived experience and tackling stigma in our communities.

Every year, our Director of Public Health, Alice Wiseman, publishes an annual report highlighting how the health and lives of people in Gateshead are affected by a particular issue.

This year's report highlights the devastating impact of the lives lost to alcohol, drugs and suicide in our communities, and the urgent need for action to support those suffering.

The topic of the report may be difficult for some to hear about. However, this is something we need to raise awareness of, as it impacts many people across Gateshead, in very different ways.

Between 2002 and 2022, there were approximately 1,278 deaths by drugs, alcohol and suicide in Gateshead. These are not just numbers - they are mothers, fathers, friends and children, each leaving behind grieving families and communities.

Read the report

Voices of people with lived experience

For Alice, it was vital to go beyond looking at the data, and to hear from the voices of people with lived experience.

Alice explains: "Numbers and data are not enough to understand the complex issues that lead to deaths by alcohol, drugs and suicide properly. Behind each number is a story of a life lost too soon, of loved ones left behind, and of communities grappling with pain and loss. 

My purpose in writing this report is not only to illuminate the urgent need for action, but to also honour the humanity which sits behind the data."

Working with voluntary and community sector partners, several focus groups took place to hear the voices of those who have had been impacted by alcohol, drugs and suicide locally. Threaded through the report are the voices of people with lived experience, which includes anonymised videos produced with Digital Voice.

Alice added: "We hear how feelings of shame, anger and guilt can add to the pain and loss of those who have had their lives changed by alcohol, drugs and suicide. By challenging this stigma and reframing our messages with kindness and support, we can remove the blame put on individuals and instead, act on the factors that lead to these experiences and inequalities. To all who have helped us to shine a light on these issues; we see you, we hear you and we stand with you. It is an honour to learn from your experiences and in your honour that we will continue this critical work towards a compassionate Gateshead."

Councillor Bernadette Oliphant, cabinet member for Health and wellbeing, said: "I'd also like to share my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported Alice's report this year. By shining a light on those impacted by alcohol, drugs and suicide, you have also become a beacon of hope for those in our communities who may be struggling. Your contributions to the report mean that we can listen and learn, while amplifying your messages of hope, so that others know that help is always out there, and they are not alone."

Support

There are always people who want to listen. At any time, you can contact Mind's helpline on 0300 102 1234, or Samaritans on 116 123.

For anyone bereaved or affected by suicide, support is available from If U Care Share on 0191 387 5661, no matter how long ago the loss was.

You can also access a directory of local and national support regarding mental health and wellbeing and drugs and alcohol.

PH image 2024
23 January 2025

We can all support in shining a light on the impact of lives lost to alcohol, drugs and suicide by listening to people with lived experience and tackling stigma in our communities.

Every year, our Director of Public Health, Alice Wiseman, publishes an annual report highlighting how the health and lives of people in Gateshead are affected by a particular issue.

This year's report highlights the devastating impact of the lives lost to alcohol, drugs and suicide in our communities, and the urgent need for action to support those suffering.

The topic of the report may be difficult for some to hear about. However, this is something we need to raise awareness of, as it impacts many people across Gateshead, in very different ways.

Between 2002 and 2022, there were approximately 1,278 deaths by drugs, alcohol and suicide in Gateshead. These are not just numbers - they are mothers, fathers, friends and children, each leaving behind grieving families and communities.

Read the report

Voices of people with lived experience

For Alice, it was vital to go beyond looking at the data, and to hear from the voices of people with lived experience.

Alice explains: "Numbers and data are not enough to understand the complex issues that lead to deaths by alcohol, drugs and suicide properly. Behind each number is a story of a life lost too soon, of loved ones left behind, and of communities grappling with pain and loss. 

My purpose in writing this report is not only to illuminate the urgent need for action, but to also honour the humanity which sits behind the data."

Working with voluntary and community sector partners, several focus groups took place to hear the voices of those who have had been impacted by alcohol, drugs and suicide locally. Threaded through the report are the voices of people with lived experience, which includes anonymised videos produced with Digital Voice.

Alice added: "We hear how feelings of shame, anger and guilt can add to the pain and loss of those who have had their lives changed by alcohol, drugs and suicide. By challenging this stigma and reframing our messages with kindness and support, we can remove the blame put on individuals and instead, act on the factors that lead to these experiences and inequalities. To all who have helped us to shine a light on these issues; we see you, we hear you and we stand with you. It is an honour to learn from your experiences and in your honour that we will continue this critical work towards a compassionate Gateshead."

Councillor Bernadette Oliphant, cabinet member for Health and wellbeing, said: "I'd also like to share my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported Alice's report this year. By shining a light on those impacted by alcohol, drugs and suicide, you have also become a beacon of hope for those in our communities who may be struggling. Your contributions to the report mean that we can listen and learn, while amplifying your messages of hope, so that others know that help is always out there, and they are not alone."

Support

There are always people who want to listen. At any time, you can contact Mind's helpline on 0300 102 1234, or Samaritans on 116 123.

For anyone bereaved or affected by suicide, support is available from If U Care Share on 0191 387 5661, no matter how long ago the loss was.

You can also access a directory of local and national support regarding mental health and wellbeing and drugs and alcohol.

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