World Suicide Prevention Day
Today, World Suicide Prevention Day, the government launched a new National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England. Amy attended the launch event at the House of Commons and had the opportunity to speak directly with the Care Services Minister, Norman Lamb about Judi’s suicide and our work. The strategy, using the available evidence, has identified six key areas for action to help reduce the suicide rate. These include more research to understand why people take their own life, and how it can be prevented; working with the media and the internet industry to ensure people are not accessing harmful suicide-related websites; reducing opportunities for suicide by reducing the availability of methods such as potentially lethal medication; better targeting of high risk groups such as middle-aged men, lesbian gay and transexuals, veterans, offenders and others; improving services; providing better support to those bereaved or affected by suicide. We are particularly pleased with the new focus on bereaved families and we hope an improvement in information and support will help ease the burden of loss and reduce the heightened risk of suicide amongst those who have lost someone to suicide. To support the implementation of the strategy the Call to Action comprises 50 organisations committed to taking action. We are part of this consortium and hope to help deliver changes in specific areas including the Coroners system and training for professionals. The strategy is available here