As reported by The Department of Health and Social Care, with a substantial funding injection, the UK government aims to bolster suicide prevention efforts, providing crucial support for mental health organisations nationwide
A total of 79 organisations, including a suicide prevention helpline, will receive funding through the government’s Suicide Prevention VCSE Grant Fund. This will expand access to support services covering every region in the country, including the areas with the highest rates of suicide.
Both national charities and small community-led charities, which provide tailored support for local areas, will receive new funding to support people with their mental health.
Many charities will deliver services through partnerships and alliances, to help ensure joined-up support for individuals seeking help.
This represents an important milestone in delivering the suicide prevention strategy, which sets out the government’s actions to prevent self-harm, suicide and save lives.
Minister for Mental Health Maria Caulfield said:
Every suicide is a tragedy which leaves a terrible mark on the families and communities affected.
Non-profit organisations play a hugely important role in supporting people with their mental health and preventing suicide in England.
This new funding will support people who need it the most and build on the brilliant work happening across the country on suicide prevention.
The fund was announced in the 2023 Autumn Statement to support charities in either meeting increased demand for suicide prevention services, or to support a range of diverse and innovative activities that can help to prevent suicides in England.
The organisations set to receive grants include James’ Place Charity and PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide – both have been awarded £625,000.
James’ Place Charity will use the funding to prevent men dying by suicide in Liverpool, Newcastle and London, and will provide 2 full-time-equivalent therapists in each James’ Place centre, to help save the lives of men in active suicidal crisis.
PAPYRUS aims to establish 6 new community hubs, largely down the east coast of England, which will go towards engaging and training parents and caregivers, providing them with free resources and free training.
Professor Sir Louis Appleby, the national advisor to the suicide prevention strategy, said:
The new funding is in recognition of the role of voluntary organisations large and small in suicide prevention.
They offer support to people in crisis or on the margins of society because of poverty, disability or prejudice.
They often work alongside the NHS but in settings where many who need help feel more comfortable.
The new government strategy says that bringing down the suicide rate is a national priority, and the ability of the voluntary sector to reach people at risk is vital.
The Samaritans will receive a grant of £530,000, to support its 24/7 helpline services and wider innovative suicide prevention activities.
This will include:
postvention, which is an intervention that takes place after a suicide by supporting the family and friends of the person who has died, in schools and colleges
preventing suicides in high-risk locations
research to increase understanding of the needs of callers and how to reach people who don’t use the service
targeting groups including marginalised communities, such as ethnic minorities, LGBT, and people in the justice system
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