Youth Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Support
Debate between Liz Twist and Jessica Morden(2 days, 20 hours ago)
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Liz Twist
I most certainly agree that we need to do all we can to support young people—in fact, all people—facing ideas of suicidality. I will touch on the issue of funding.
As I was saying, we are just over a month on from that day, and so many organisations have been in touch wanting to contribute. I apologise to those who I cannot mention and whose specific points I cannot refer to. I know that they provide a lifeline to so many people, and I will do my best to do them justice. Papyrus had a national focus and offered hope to thousands of young people across the UK. It offered specialist support for young people, which I am sure the Minister will know was a vital support given that the biggest killer of young people is suicide.
Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab)
I thank my hon. Friend for the excellent work she does in this area. I met Papyrus through my constituent Emma Webb, who my hon. Friend knows and who campaigns on suicide awareness among young people after sadly losing her daughter. The fact that rising demand is cited as one of the main reasons for Papyrus’ closure should tell us absolutely everything we need to know. I join my hon. Friend in calling on the Minister to do everything we can to fill the gap left by HopeLine 24/7.
Pete Wishart (in the Chair)
Order. I remind hon. Members that we have only an hour and there will be a strict time limit. Interventions will have to be limited and hon. Members will have to be patient.
World Suicide Prevention Day
Debate between Liz Twist and Jessica Morden(1 month, 1 week ago)
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Each debate is chaired by an MP from the Panel of Chairs, rather than the Speaker or Deputy Speaker. A Government Minister will give the final speech, and no votes may be called on the debate topic.
This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record
Liz Twist
Having done some work with the construction sector, I know exactly what my hon. Friend is talking about and how much attention must be paid to that issue.
Sadly, my region, the north-east, has the highest number of deaths by suicide. That is not a league table that we want to top. The latest figures put the north-east’s rate at 15.1 deaths per 100,000 people. For men who have been referred to secondary mental health services, it climbs to 157.8 per 100,000. That harsh reality demands urgent, targeted intervention.
Whenever we see such statistics in Parliament, we must immediately remind ourselves that there are real people behind the numbers. Each one of those individuals whose life was cut short leaves behind a devastating legacy of grief. The ripple effect of a single suicide spreads relentlessly through families, circles of friends and workplaces, and inflicts severe social and emotional consequences on entire communities.
Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab)
Like everyone else, I acknowledge the tremendous work that my hon. Friend does on this issue; it is inspirational. Since she mentions families, I want to take the opportunity to thank my constituent Emma Webb, who tragically lost her daughter, Brodie, aged just 16. My hon. Friend is aware of Emma, who has spent years tirelessly fundraising for and raising awareness of suicide prevention. Alongside the bands doing a benefit for the Samaritans in the pub, there is a lot of work going on locally that we should acknowledge.