Join us in calling on the Government to take real action
Every year, thousands of people die from suicide in England. Government action could help save many of these lives – but suicide rates in England are as high now as they were 20 years ago. This is unacceptable. Saving lives can't wait: the time for action is now.
New Health Secretary Steve Barclay has confirmed the Government will be creating a new and dedicated suicide prevention strategy, which is an important first step.
However, it’s just that, a first step. The Government must commit to reaching the lowest national suicide rate ever recorded. Anything less would be accepting failure. No more half-measures. No more compromises. No more underfunding. Together, we have the power to demand the Government takes action that matches the scale of the problem.
Support the campaign
Saving lives can’t wait and I am pleased that the Government has listened to Samaritans’ calls for a dedicated suicide prevention strategy, but it will be totally meaningless without funding to back it up. So far there is no sign of the money needed to drive suicide rates down to their lowest level ever, which simply must be the goal.
Julie Bentley, Samaritans CEO
We are calling on the government in England to:
- Aim to achieve the lowest national suicide rate ever recorded, through strong, decisive action.
- Make sure every Government department takes responsibility for the impact they may have on suicide risk.
- Provide proper funding for all local and national suicide prevention activity.
- Address the impact of economic inequality in suicide.
- Work closely together with local government.
People are feeling hopeless. The risk is they only see one way out, and that can be prevented with your help. You need to take action, and this campaign is vital. Let's take action together.
John Junior, campaigner with lived experience
Our Saving Lives Can’t Wait campaign is part of our wider work on influencing national and local suicide prevention strategies.
Find out more about our work influencing suicide prevention strategies here.
This campaign is focused on suicide prevention in England, but we work across the four nations of the UK and also in Ireland seeking to influence suicide prevention policy in a range of ways to achieve our mission that fewer people die by suicide.