
By Laura Hughes (Suicide Crisis Service Lead – Maternity Cover)
Some of the primary reasons that Harmless and The Tomorrow Project exist are to give a voice to those who use our services, campaign for greater recognition and understanding of their needs, and to push for greater resources to meet the requirements of the communities we serve. This can take many forms, including taking political action.
Every year, thousands of people die from suicide in England, with suicide rates now as high as they were 20 years ago. The NHS Long Term Plan 2019 ensured that each local area in England received dedicated money for suicide prevention for a period of three years. Most areas have already come to the end of their funding, and in March 2024, all of this funding is due to end. Yet the 2023 cross-government National Suicide Prevention strategy recognises that this investment was instrumental in ensuring all areas in England have local suicide prevention plans that play a vital part in fulfilling the strategy’s commitment to reducing suicide rates on a national scale.
This is why I travelled to London yesterday (15th November) to take our case to the heart of national decision-making. I joined with colleagues from The Samaritans, Young Minds, the NSPA, PAPYRUS, and other mental health organisations to call on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to extend funding that will support the crucial ongoing work of suicide prevention charities.
With the Autumn Budget around the corner, it is vital to make our voices heard in the political arena. Organisations, including Harmless, have urgently asked for confirmation that the ring-fenced suicide prevention funding that local areas have relied on in recent years will continue for the lifetime of the five-year strategy. It is estimated that this would cost £1.40 per person – as little as the price of a loaf of bread.
This action follows on from the recent open letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt – to which our CEO Caroline Harroe was a signatory – from over twenty mental health organisations calling on him to extend funding.
We remain optimistic that with cross-party support from both MPs and local councillors, members of the public and particularly those with lived experience, we can successfully make our case and secure the resources that will save lives.
There’s still time to add your support to the campaign by completing this form.
**UPDATE 22/11/2023**
Harmless and our friends from across the sector are deeply disappointed that the government opted not to extend this vital funding in today’s autumn budget statement. However, we will continue campaigning and fighting. Saving lives can’t wait — so neither will we.