Samaritans comment on Government’s 10 year mental health plan, New Horizons

Friday 11 December 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact: Claire Duncan         

Phone: +44 (0)20 8394 8345

Email: Out of hours press phone: +44 (0)7943 809162

Samaritans today commented on the Government’s commitment to renew the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England which is due to come to end in 2010. The renewal of the strategy, outlined in today’s publication of the Government’s 10 year mental health plan New Horizons, will be developed by the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group of which Samaritans is a member.

Samaritans’ Chief Executive, Catherine Johnstone, said:

“We are delighted that the Government has listened to Samaritans and the many other individuals and organisations who have emphasised the importance of maintaining and strengthening the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England. The renewal of the strategy comes at a particularly important time when we can’t afford to be complacent as the risk of suicide is heightened by difficult economic circumstances and rising unemployment.

“Whilst suicide rates in England have declined steadily over the last ten years, it remains a fact that over 4,000 people still take their lives each year resulting in thousands of families being affected by suicide every year. We particularly welcome the commitment in New Horizons to explore ways of supporting families bereaved by suicide, as we recognise this group can often themselves be more vulnerable to suicidal feelings.  

“What is now vital is that the revised Suicide Prevention Strategy is prioritised and properly funded to ensure that it is successfully implemented at national, regional and local levels. As a member of the Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group, Samaritans looks forward to working with Government to ensure that the work of the strategy reaches the people who need it the most.”

Download the Samaritans New Horizons consultation submission (120KB PDF document)

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Samaritans

It is the aim of Samaritans to make emotional health a mainstream issue.  Samaritans' vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because people are able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being judged.  Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.

Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, which offers 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress.  The service is offered by 16,534 trained volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary support.  Across the UK, you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (1850 60 90 90 in the Republic of Ireland) email jo@samaritans.org, write to Samaritans at Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA, or if you are deaf or hard of hearing use the single national minicom number 08457 90 91 92. Log on to www.samaritans.org for more information. Calls from BT will be charged at up to 2 pence per minute at all times. A call set-up fee of 7 pence applies to calls from residential lines. Mobile and other providers' charges may vary.