Government needs to commit to suicide prevention, says charity

According to a Samaritans poll, only 45 per cent of people feel comfortable talking to friends and family about their struggles. Furthermore, 46 per cent of the population would not start a conversation on the subject with someone they were concerned about, even if they knew that person was experiencing suicidal thoughts.

World Suicide Prevention Day was held on September 10, 2024, and the charity declared that things need to change.

Julie Bentley, CEO of Samaritans, said, “While discussing mental health has become more commonplace, there is still a taboo when it comes to suicide that is costing people their lives. We want to change this. By talking more openly about suicide, we can give people the chance to express how they feel and get the support they need. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business and the need to unite efforts across all fronts has never felt so urgent.