On World Mental Health Day, Samaritans called for the renewal of vital local suicide prevention funding in the upcoming Autumn Statement
Joined by more than 20 other charities in the mental health and suicide prevention sector, they penned an open letter to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP urging him to demonstrate his commitment to reducing lives lost to suicide.
Dear Jeremy,
As you know from your time as Health Secretary, suicide is the leading cause of death in males under 50 years and females under 35 years in the UK. The latest available figures in 2021 confirmed that 5,219 people in England tragically took their own lives, and rates are rising amongst young people aged 16 to 24.
We welcomed the recent cross-government national suicide prevention strategy, including the commitment to reduce the suicide rate in England over the next five years. However, the stark truth is that suicide rates in England now are the same as they were 20 years ago. We all know that suicide is preventable so, as we mark World Mental Health Day, we ask that you not only try to reduce rates but aim to reach the lowest ever recorded.
Of course, this can’t happen without resources and long-term investment. As a first step, we urgently need confirmation that the ring-fenced suicide prevention funding that local areas have relied on in recent years will continue for the lifetime of the five-year strategy, and increased in line with inflation. We estimate that this would cost £1.40 per person - as little as the price of a loaf of bread.
The NHS Long Term Plan 2019 ensured that each local area in England received dedicated money for suicide prevention for a period of three years. Most areas have already come to the end of their funding, and in March 2024 all of this money is due to end. Yet, the 2023 National Suicide Prevention strategy recognises that this investment was instrumental in ensuring all areas in England have local suicide prevention plans that play a vital part in fulfilling the strategy’s commitment to reducing suicide rates on a national scale.
We have always appreciated your personal commitment to making a difference on the issue of suicide prevention, evidenced most recently by your announcement in the Spring Budget 2023 of a £10million fund to support the crucial work of suicide prevention charities. You emphasised the tragedy of suicide and the importance of preventing it. Renewal of the local funding in the Autumn Statement will demonstrate that the government is truly serious about reducing deaths by suicide.
Yours sincerely
Julie Bentley
Chief Executive, Samaritans
Co-signed:
Rosemary Ellis, Executive Lead, National Suicide Prevention Alliance
Ged Flynn, Chief Executive, PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide
Matthew Smith, Chief Operating Officer, If U Care Share
Steve Mallen, Co-Founder, Zero Suicide Alliance
Mark Rowland, Chief Executive, Mental Health Foundation
Caroline Harroe, CEO Harmless & The Tomorrow Project
Victoria Hornby, CEO, Mental Health Innovations
Ellen O’Donoghue, CEO, James’ Place
Laura Bunt, Chief Executive, YoungMinds
Chris Martin, Chief Executive, The Mix
Kathy Roberts, Chief Executive, Association of Mental Health Providers
Jacqui Dyer MBE, Black Thrive Global Director
Jen Beardsley, Interim CEO, National Survivor User Network
Poppy Jaman, Global CEO, MindForwardAlliance
Sean Duggan, Chief Executive, NHS Confederation Mental Health Network
Brian Dow, Chief Executive, Mental Health UK
Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive, Rethink Mental Illness
Simon Blake, Chief Executive, MHFA England
Michael Samuel MBE, Chair, Anna Freud
Catherine Roche, Chief Executive Officer, Place2Be
Rosie Tressler OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Student Minds
Andy Bell, Chief Executive, Centre for Mental Health
Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive, Mind
Dr Lade Smith CBE, President, Royal College of Psychiatrists