The government is launching the latest round of its suicide prevention grant fund in a move it believes will help support tens of thousands of people needing mental health support.
Charities across England are being urged to apply for a share of the £10m fund, so as many people as possible can access the potentially life-saving support they need.
A previous iteration of the fund subsidised more than 100 organisations to the tune of £5.4m in 2021/22 – the results of which were “overwhelmingly positive” according to the government.
Previous grants included:
- £283,968 for James’ Place Charity to provide innovative, free suicide prevention therapy to men over 18 in Merseyside and London
- £41,599 for the Caribbean and African Health Network to tackle taboos around suicide in black communities around Manchester
- £151,815 for Papyrus to deliver confidential support and advice to young people or anyone worried about a young person via their HOPELINE247 scheme
The news comes before the expected publication of the national suicide prevention strategy later this year, which will expand on how the government intends to reduce suicide and improve mental health.
The national advisor for that strategy, Professor Sir Louis Appleby, said: “Charities play a critical role in preventing suicide and today’s launch of the grant fund will support their vital work.”
He continued: “Given the pressures facing the sector, I hope all eligible organisations will consider bidding for funding.”
Back in May, the Labour Party set out its vision for the future of the NHS which featured a commitment to drive suicide rates down.
In the latest edition of our online magazine, the Mental Health Foundation’s head of policy and public affairs, Oliver Chantler, wrote what that pledge should mean in practice.
Image credit: iStock
