We’re pleased to see this announcement as it comes soon after the Baton of Hope suicide prevention campaign which was supported by us and the BACP accredited service The Counselling Foundation.

The campaign, which covered the four nations of the UK and ended in a parliamentary reception at Westminster, was designed to be the UK’s biggest suicide awareness and prevention initiative. It aimed to start conversations and prompt actions to address factors that contribute to the UK’s 17 daily suicides – numbers that have not changed significantly in more than 20 years.

Welcome news

It’s great news that there is more money for charities as our organisational member services have told us that more people are coming to them for help and counselling to cope with suicidal thoughts.

Emma Branch from The Counselling Foundation said: “Suicide numbers in the UK have stagnated over the last 20 years with suicide being the biggest killer of men and women under the age of 35. Something must be done to change the status quo.

"Although people might find mental health easier to talk about, talking about death by suicide with all the questions it brings up can still feel really challenging. For us it’s raising awareness of suicide, of what people can do, and of organisations that offer training around prevention. A random conversation at the right time might make all the difference.”

Jeremy Bacon, our Third Sector Lead, added: ‘It’s very encouraging to see the political interest in the issue of suicide prevention being accompanied by funding for community-based third sector organisations to increase delivery of vital support including talking therapies.

"We hope that new funding is found in the other UK nations and that ‘zero suicide’ becomes the target for all public policy. It’ is also encouraging to see a recognition of the importance of funding services that specialise in working with clients who can find it difficult or impossible to access mainstream services.”

Groups of concern and how to apply

All not-for-profit organisations can apply to the £10 million fund before 1st October 2023. It has a focus on ‘groups of concern’ – people known to be at increased risk of suicide, including middle-aged men, children and young people, autistic people, those from marginalised and racialised community backgrounds. The closing date for applications to the fund is 1st October 2023

Read our compilation of suicide prevention resources for members.