Cuts to local government services are putting the mental health of people in Croydon at risk, a charity boss has warned.

Worries about day-to-day problems such as money are piling more pressure on people than ever before as public health budgets are stretched to the limit, according to Richard Pacitti, chief executive of Mind in Croydon.

He said: “What we’re hearing more of is worries about debt and benefits being taken away. They’re very practical, social issues.

“Something that might have been a little bit of a worry can get out of all proportion. Although the Government ring-fenced spending on health, they did not ring-fence spending on local government.

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“Quite often the things that are causing people to feel very low aren’t necessarily the sort of things that doctors can help with.”

Last August the Department of Health announced a £1.3 million cut to Croydon Council’s public health budget, which includes the funding of mental health services in the borough.

Mr Pacitti’s comments come as new figures show a 60 per cent increase in the number of people taking their own lives in Croydon.

Statistics for 2014, the most recent available, show the deaths of 36 people in Croydon were registered as suicide – more than any other London borough.

The number of registered suicides in London, according to the Office of National Statistics, rose from 516 in 2013 to 552 in 2014, with female suicides increasing by six per cent to 128.

Mr Pacitti said: “The impression that we get is not that we have suddenly become much more suicidal overnight, but I think the low-level ongoing support that people used to be able to get, the services people used to get from local government – those services are diminished.

"We’re seeing more people than we used to."

A spokesman for Croydon Council’s public health team said: “The council and its partners recognise that preventing mental illness is the most important way to improve mental health. Almost all Croydon Council services contribute to well-being, including parks and leisure, welfare advice, support for volunteering, education and employment services.”

Samaritans chief executive Ruth Sutherland said: “These statistics show that Samaritans’ work is vital. Suicide is a society-wide issue. Samaritans is always there for anyone struggling to cope, whatever they’re going through.”

For confidential support from Samaritans, call 116 123, text 07725 909 090 or email jo@samaritans.org.

Mind in Croydon’s helpline number is 03001 233393.