Those struggling with their mental health will be better supported thanks to a £10 million funding boost for charities working to prevent suicides.
- £10 million for 79 charities across England to help prevent suicide
- New funding will benefit helpline services, support in schools and groups in area with highest rates of suicide
- Delivers on government’s suicide prevention strategy which sets out plans to prevent self-harm and suicide to save lives
- Organisations benefiting include helplines, groups providing therapy to men at risk of suicide and charities providing targeted support in high-risk areas
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.
Minister for Mental Health Maria Caulfield said:
Every suicide is a tragedy which leaves a terrible mark on the families and communities affected.
Non-profit organisations play a hugely important role in supporting people with their mental health and preventing suicide in England.
This new funding will support people who need it the most and build on the brilliant work happening across the country on suicide prevention.
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.
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 groups including marginalised communities, such as ethnic minorities, LGBT, and people in the justice system
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.
