People struggling with their mental health will be better supported thanks to a £10 million funding boost for organisations working to prevent suicides.
A total of 79 organisations, including a suicide prevention helpline, will receive funding through the government’s Suicide Prevention VCSE Grant Fund. This will expand access to support services covering every region in the country, including the areas with the highest rates of suicide.
Both national charities and small community-led charities, which provide tailored support for local areas, will receive new funding to support people with their mental health. Many charities will deliver services through partnerships and alliances, to help ensure joined-up support for individuals seeking help. This represents an important milestone in delivering the Suicide Prevention Strategy, which sets out the Government’s actions to prevent self-harm, suicide and save lives.
The fund was announced in the 2023 Autumn Statement to support charities in either meeting increased demand for suicide prevention services, or to support a range of diverse and innovative activity that can help to prevent suicides in England.
The organisations set to receive grants include James’ Place Charity and PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide - both have been awarded £625,000 each.
James’ Place Charity will use the funding to prevent men dying by suicide in Liverpool, Newcastle and London, and will provide two full-time-equivalent therapists in each James Place centre, to help save the lives of men in active suicidal crisis.
PAPYRUS aims to establish six new community hubs, largely down the east coast of England, which will go towards engaging and training parents and caregivers, providing them with free resources and free training.
Missing People has been awarded £199,009 to continue its work and add 7 more force area, including Bedfordshire.
The Samaritans will receive a grant of £530,000, to support its 24/7 helpline services and wider innovative suicide prevention activities. This will include:
- 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 people from groups who we know are at higher risk of suicide, including children and young people, middle-aged men, pregnant women and new mothers and autistic people.
The 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.
Commenting on the announcement, Richard Fuller MP said:
Every suicide is a tragedy which leaves a terrible mark on the families and communities affected. Non-profit organisations play an important role in supporting people and preventing suicide in England and this new funding will support those who need it the most and build on the brilliant work happening across the country on suicide prevention.
