How £10m in Government Funding Will Support Suicide Prevention
Charities working to prevent suicides will benefit from a £10 million funding boost to better support those struggling with their mental health.
The funding has been made available by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and is to be split between a total of 79 organisations, including suicide prevention helpline, groups providing therapy to men at risk of suicide, and charities providing targeted support in high-risk areas.
Through the Suicide Prevention VCSE Grant Fund, which held applications between 25 August to 1 October 2023, access to support services will expand, covering every region in the country including areas with the highest rates of suicide.
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.”
Funding has been granted to both national charities and small community-led charities that focus on tailored support for local areas, with many charities delivering services through partnerships and alliances to ensure joined-up support for individuals in need of help.
The funding is a milestone in delivering the government’s suicide prevention strategy, which seeks to prevent suicide and self harm. 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.
Charities to benefit from funding include James’ Place Charity, PAPYRUS, and Samaritans
James’ Place Charity will use the £625,000 they have been awarded in funding to prevent the suicide of at-risk men in Liverpool, Newcastle, and London, and will provide two full-time-equivalent therapists in each James’ Place Centre.
Also receiving £625,000, PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide are set to establish six new community hubs primarily in the east coast of England, which aim to engage and train parents and caregivers through free resources and training.
The Samaritans are set to receive £530,000 in funding to support its 24/7 helpline services and wider innovative suicide prevention activities, including:
- 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
Julia Bentley, CEO of Samaritans, said: “This funding will help Samaritans continue our mission to save lives. 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.”
We Hear You was yet another charity to receive funding, with CEO Lucy Kitchener commenting: “Along with every other charity we know, We Hear You is finding fundraising extremely challenging right now.
Hearing the news that we have been awarded suicide prevention funding is wonderful, therefore. Better still, this grant will fund counselling sessions with the people who come to our service feeling the most distraught.
“Public Health England figures show that 1 in 10 suicides are from people with a chronic health condition. We Hear You supports people who are affected by cancer and life-threatening conditions.”
The government’s suicide prevention strategy commits to more than 130 measures, from prevention and earlier intervention, through to more targeted and proactive support for people in crisis.
