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LGA responds to Theresa May's announcement on mental health and suicide

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to Theresa May’s announcement on mental health and suicide prevention

"Every suicide that takes place is a tragedy. My sister committed suicide which gives me an insight into the suffering that is caused to the family and friends. The impact of suicide is far greater than just the person and we all have to work together to try and prevent suicide happening.

"Suicide prevention is a high priority for councils, which already provide a range of vital services that support the health and mental wellbeing of our communities.

“We support the appointment of a Minister for Suicide Prevention and the pledge to achieve parity of care between mental and physical health.

"However to achieve this we need a root and branch overhaul of mental health services, which focuses on prevention and early intervention, particularly for children and young people.

"It is also crucial that we have the right investment in mental health and suicide prevention services. Councils support the £1 billion being invested in the NHS by 2020 to address mental health, but there needs to be a similar long term commitment to invest in local government to help tackle mental illness and ensure suicide rates are further driven down and lives saved.

“Councils are working with other public and private organisations, such as schools, railway operators, supermarkets, hospitals and the police to prevent suicide and support people affected by it.

“Suicide is preventable, but it needs to be everybody’s business to work together to tackle this tragic loss of life.”

PM pledges action on suicide to mark World Mental Health Day

Original article link: https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/lga-responds-theresa-mays-announcement-mental-health-and-suicide

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