WIREDGOV

Funding given to local communities that are worst affected by suicide to develop suicide prevention & reduction schemes.

The investment, announced by the DHSC, Public Health England and NHS England marks the start of a 3-year programme worth £25mn that will reach the whole country by 2021. It forms part of the government’s commitment to reduce suicides in England by 10% by 2021 and will support the zero suicide ambition for mental health inpatients announced by Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt in January of this year.

Currently one person every 90 minutes dies by suicide in the UK and approximately two thirds of these are not in contact with mental health services.

The funding, which has been allocated to 8 sustainability & transformation partnerships (STPs) with a high level of need, will help to ensure people know high-quality confidential help is available within their community. It will include targeted prevention campaigns for men; psychological support for people with financial difficulties; better care after discharge; and improved self-harm services for all ages.