World Suicide Prevention Day Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department of Health and Social Care
Lee Pitcher
Main Page: Lee Pitcher (Labour - Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme)Department Debates - View all Lee Pitcher's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
(4Â weeks, 1Â day ago)
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Liz Twist
I am indeed aware of that work and of the difficulties faced by the farming community, and it is important that we address those. This year, as in the last two years, the theme for World Suicide Prevention Day is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, accompanied by a direct call to action to start the conversation.
Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)
I thank my hon. Friend for the amazing work that she continues to do day in, day out on this subject. I filmed a documentary last week called “Walking Men”—it will be out later this year—about how we support local groups to get men talking on a regular basis. Will she join me in saying thank you to all the people out there who do that? Does she agree that the Government need to get behind local groups, who know their area and their people and can make a massive difference?
Liz Twist
I am pleased to hear about that work, and I certainly agree that it is vital that we support all those who are making efforts locally to address the issue of suicide.
Changing the narrative means a conscious, collective shift away from the culture of silence, stigma and misunderstanding that has plagued this subject for generations. It requires us to move towards openness, empathy and genuine support, to create an environment where people feel able to speak openly about their distress without fear of judgment. We must reach a point at which talking about suicidal thoughts is met with compassion rather than fear and where seeking help is viewed as a sign of strength.