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World Suicide Prevention Day
08 September 2026
Lead MP
Liz Twist
Blaydon
Lab
Responding Minister
Alison McGovern
Tags
Culture, Media & SportMental HealthNHS
Word Count: 4233
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Liz Twist raised concerns about world suicide prevention day in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Twist asks the Minister to provide more detail on the revenue funding for the new mental health hubs and emergency centres, and to revise the national suicide prevention strategy to address the specific concerns of men, who make up 75% of suicide deaths. She also requests that the Minister work closely with the APPG to ensure that mental health has parity of esteem with physical health and that the strategies deliver the necessary systemic change.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Liz Twist is concerned about the high number of suicide deaths in the UK, particularly in the north-east, which has the highest rate at 15.1 deaths per 100,000 people. She highlights the significant economic cost of a single suicide, estimated at £1.46 million, and the disparity in mental health service referrals, with men accounting for only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies despite having higher mental health needs. She also discusses the importance of addressing the stigma and silence surrounding suicide, and the need for systemic change and early intervention to prevent suicides.
Alison Hume called for an update on the progress for autistic people under the 2023 suicide prevention strategy and how the Government intends to incorporate autism into future strategies.
Amanda Martin highlighted the high suicide risk in the construction industry, which is 3.7 times higher than the national average, and called for practical action in the men's health strategy. Amanda Martin raised the case of Chloe Holland and Skye Nicholls, whose families have campaigned for recognition and response to the link between suicide and coercive control.
Redditch
Christopher Bloore congratulated the lead member on securing the debate and emphasised the importance of changing the narrative and stigma around suicide. He highlighted the government's announcement of £343 million for walk-in mental health services and called for these services to be available in Redditch, which has the highest rate of poor mental health in Worcestershire.
Craig Williams
Lab
Pontypridd
Craig Williams discusses the work of local organisations in suicide prevention and the importance of workplace suicide prevention standards. He also mentions the James' Place charity and If U Care Share, and the need for systemic change to address suicide.
David Rutley
Con
Macclesfield
David Rutley thanks local groups and organisations for their work in suicide prevention, mentioning Men Walking and Talking, Andy's Man Club, and Samaritans. He also acknowledges the work of Jami UK and Ripple in preventing internet-based harm.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Grahame Morris highlights the difficulties faced by the farming community and the need to support local efforts to address suicide prevention. He also praises the work of the Premier League and Mind in promoting open conversations among groups who traditionally do not seek help.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Iain Duncan Smith highlighted the work of Ripple and Alice Hendy, whose 'brown shield' technical device helps users find support when searching for harmful sites.
Jessica Morden
Lab
Newport East
Jessica Morden acknowledged the work of her hon. Friend and thanked Emma Webb for her fundraising and awareness efforts following the loss of her daughter to suicide.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon highlighted the mental health challenges faced by farmers under 40, with 92% identifying poor mental health as a leading issue and the stigma and reluctance to seek help in rural communities.
Jonathan Gullis
Con
Ealing Central and Acton
Jonathan Gullis acknowledges the work of organisations in suicide prevention and highlights the need for action on autism, mentioning that the all-party groups on suicide and self-harm prevention and on autism will be doing joint work on the matter.
Kim Johnson congratulated Alfie's Squad and football clubs like Everton and Liverpool for their work in engaging with people with suicidal thoughts.
Laura Kyrke-Smith thanked local groups in her constituency for their efforts in getting men to talk and open up conversations about mental health and suicide.
Lee Pitcher thanked the hon. Lady for her work on suicide prevention and discussed his documentary 'Walking Men', which focuses on supporting local groups to get men talking regularly.
Luke Charters praised local groups like Menfulness in York for their work in getting men to talk about mental health through activities like sport and walking.
Sarah Olney called on the Government to launch a public health campaign to tackle the stigma around suicide, supported by former Health Secretaries, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and the Royal College of General Practitioners.
Steve McCabe
Lab
Birmingham Selly Oak
Steve McCabe thanks organisations for their work in suicide prevention and mentions the 3 Dads Walking campaign, which is pushing for suicide prevention to be taught in schools. He also highlights the importance of the relationships, sex and health education curriculum changes to ensure that children can discuss suicide safely.
Government Response
Alison McGovern
Government Response
The Minister reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the suicide prevention strategy for England and highlighted the progress made in near real-time surveillance and targeted support for at-risk groups. She mentioned the development of a cross-Government mental health strategy, which aims to transform mental health care by responding earlier and helping people stay active. The Minister stressed the importance of addressing factors outside the mental health system, such as financial difficulties and harmful gambling. She also noted the work of the Premier League in encouraging mental health conversations among men, particularly middle-aged men at risk of suicide.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.