Suicide Prevention 2023-10-17
2023-10-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about steps to prevent suicide.
What steps he is taking to help prevent suicide?
Last month, we published a cross-Government five-year suicide prevention strategy. It sets out our pledge to reduce England's suicide rates within two and a half years, with over 100 measures aimed at saving lives and providing early intervention for those at highest risk of suicide, including new mums and middle-aged men.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the efforts of campaigns such as “One Million Lives” and asks for funding renewal.
Could I ask the Minister to support the “One Million Lives” campaign, and to push for the renewal of local funding to support suicide-safer communities?
I thank my hon. Friend for his hard work in this area and for his mental health campaigning overall, and also his wife and all who selflessly give their time to volunteer with the invaluable mental health charities. We fully recognise that, and that is why when we launched the suicide prevention strategy we also launched our £10 million suicide prevention grant fund.
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Assessment & feedback
Renewal of local funding for suicide-safer communities beyond 2024-25 was not addressed specifically.
Subject To A Future Spending Review
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asks for an update on the suicide prevention grant and expected funding reach.
Is the Minister able to provide an update on the suicide prevention grant, and particularly on when the money is expected to reach the successful organisations?
We have had a huge response to the opening of the grant, with over 1,800 applications from voluntary groups and organisations. We are assessing those bids and hope to make an announcement before the end of the year.
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Assessment & feedback
Exact timeline for distribution was not provided.
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP inquires about meetings with campaigns such as 3 Dads Walking and Just 3 Mums Walking.
Has the Minister had time to meet with either of those campaigns yet?
I have met with 3 Dads Walking; I have not met the mums group but am very happy to do so. Because of their intervention and campaigning, we were able to successfully put their campaign about improving mental health awareness in the school curriculum into our suicide prevention strategy.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP discusses the lack of progress on mental health and suicide prevention reforms.
Will the Minister today commit to including reform of the Mental Health Act in the King's Speech?
I was going to pay tribute to the hon. Lady for her work on mental health campaigning, and she will know we have done a huge amount. The suicide prevention strategy is a cross-Government piece of work, which makes sure suicide is everyone's business, not just that of health and social care.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to include reform in the King's Speech was not made.
Pay Tribute
Huge Amount
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP challenges the Government on suicide prevention strategy timing and reforms.
Why has it taken so long for the Government to bring forward a strategy, and why do they continue to drag their feet over reform to the Mental Health Act? Can the Minister give the House a firm timetable today?
The hon. Lady is not quite right in her statistics. Just before covid we had seen a 20% reduction compared with two decades ago in suicide levels in England. She might be interested to know that in Labour-run Wales suicide rates are higher than in England, and its suicide prevention strategy expired last year.
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Assessment & feedback
Providing reasons for delay or reform timetable was not addressed.
Not Quite Right In Her Statistics
Labour-Run Wales
Response accuracy