The health and care sector’s suicide prevention work is set to receive a boost as the government commits £10m to help people struggling with their mental health.
The funding will go to a total of 79 charities across England, including large, national undertakings and more bespoke community-led organisations.
This fresh investment means access to suicide prevention services will be expanded into every region in the country.
The Department of Health and Social Care says this signals an “important milestone” in the delivery of the suicide prevention strategy.
Among the beneficiaries of the money are PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide and James’ Place, which have both received £625,000.
The latter will set up support in Liverpool, Newcastle and London, including two full-time therapists in each location to prevent men from dying.
Meanwhile, PAPYRUS will deliver support along England’s east coast via six new community hubs, which will provide free resources and training to parents and caregivers.
A total of £530,000 has been awarded to the Samaritans to support its 24/7 suicide prevention helpline, and wider outreach projects.
This will include work on postvention, prevention in high-risk places, research to better understand the needs of callers and those who do not use the helpline, and targeting marginalised groups such as ethnic minorities, LGBT, and those in the justice system.
“The new funding is in recognition of the role of voluntary organisations large and small in suicide prevention,” said Professor Sir Louis Appleby, the national advisor to the suicide prevention strategy.
The Samaritans’ chief executive, Julie Bentley, added: “The voluntary sector plays a crucial part in suicide prevention and, in this challenging environment, financial support for charities has never been more important.
“Today’s announcement is a welcome step towards the resourcing needed to deliver the national suicide prevention strategy.”
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