A RISE in suicides has sparked fresh calls from a charity to tackle root causes and curb the increase.

A total of 39 suicide deaths were recorded in Brighton and Hove last year.

The figure had increased from 36 cases the previous year, with charity Rethink Mental Illness saying more needs to be done to tackle “risk factors”.

“The increase in the suicide rate across England and Wales highlights the need to tackle the many risk factors that lead to suicide, including debt, financial stress and housing instability, all of which are being exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis,” it said.

And Samaritans said the figures are "more worrying evidence that not enough is being done to drive down our high suicide rates".

But the Department for Health and Social Care claims it is using large amounts of money to tackle the issue.

“We are prioritising children and young people's mental health with the existing Suicide Prevention Strategy and investing £57 million in suicide prevention through the NHS to support local plans and develop suicide bereavement services across the country,” a spokesman said.

"Every suicide is a tragedy, and our sympathies go to the family and friends of those affected.”

The calls for action come ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10.

It is organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organization, and has been observed every year since 2003.

It sees people come together around the world to raise awareness of the issue.

The theme this year is "creating hope through action" and aims to inspire confidence and hope among those struggling with their mental health.