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Suicide: Reducing the Stigma
19 November 2025
Lead MP
Sarah Olney
Richmond Park
LD
Responding Minister
Stephen Kinnock
Tags
NHS
Word Count: 14164
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Sarah Olney raised concerns about suicide: reducing the stigma in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should launch a public health campaign to tackle the stigma associated with suicide and hold regular open discussions with the public on this topic.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Suicide is a difficult topic for people to discuss and impacts families and friends deeply. According to Campaign Against Living Miserably, one in four UK residents will experience suicidal thoughts in their lives, while 200,000 attempt suicide annually. The stigma of talking about suicide prevents individuals from seeking support.
Chris Evans
Lab/Co-op
Caerphilly
Emphasised the importance of reaching out for support when struggling, highlighting personal experiences and the rise in male suicide rates in Wales. He also discussed initiatives like the Jolly Brew Crew that aim to reduce stigma and start conversations about mental health. Asked the Minister to ensure that ex-sportsmen have necessary support once they retire from playing.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
Paid tribute to the hon. Member for Richmond Park and highlighted the high suicide rate in Harlow compared to Essex's average, mentioning local mental health support groups. The hon. Member mentioned carers, including young carers supporting people with mental health issues, emphasizing their importance on Carers Rights Day. Inquired if there was scope to extend the initiative beyond premier league clubs to lower-league clubs, down to Harlow Town.
Winchester
Discussed the challenges faced by veterinary professionals, who have a four times higher suicide rate than the national average, and highlighted the difficulties in accessing appropriate mental health support.
Luke Evans
Con
Wrexham
Asked how the partnership with the Premier League works, enquired about extra funding from the Government or Premier League, and inquired about support for Samaritans.
West Dorset
Asked if improving access to child and adolescent mental health services is vital for protecting young people in rural communities.
Helen Grant
Con
Maidstone and Malling
Congratulates the hon. Member for securing the debate and shares a local story about Ben West's efforts to raise awareness of suicide prevention in schools.
Emphasised the need for addressing issues related to online access to harmful content. Mentioned a tragic incident of multiple suicides among young men in Newtownards and highlighted the impact of inheritance tax on farmers.
John Milne
LD
Horsham
Stresses the importance of mental health awareness campaigns for farmers and supports reconsideration of cuts to the rural England prosperity fund due to its vital support for mental health services.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Supported efforts to reduce the stigma of male suicide through community groups such as Back and Forth Men’s Mental Health, which encourages men to talk openly about their feelings. Commends Rugby borough council for its initiative to put support plaques on benches in parks, encouraging local businesses to sponsor them to help men gain access to mental health support.
Josh Newbury
Lab
Cannock Chase
Welcomed the Government’s mental health strategy including £3.6 million over three years for suicide prevention projects; emphasised the importance of involving the Premier League and Samaritans in reaching out to men.
Michelle Welsh
Lab
Sherwood Forest
Discussed high suicide rates in Ollerton, highlighting societal pressures that discourage men from seeking help. Mentioned a local organisation, In Sam’s Name, which runs peer support groups for men to talk about mental health.
Sarah Olney
LD
Woking
Highlighted the work of her constituent Philip Pirie and called for a public health campaign to reach specific at-risk groups like farmers and young people in schools and universities. She also praised community initiatives across different constituencies.
Sojan Joseph
LD
Richmond Park
Highlights the progress made in removing stigma around suicide but calls for more action, citing high suicide rates among men and young people, and a concerning increase in suicides within the farming sector. Agreed on the need for mental health support, highlighted high suicide rates among male farmers due to isolation, financial pressure, long working hours, stigma, and complex factors leading to suicides beyond diagnosed conditions. Asked the Minister to publicise mental health initiatives more widely to prevent people from seeking incorrect information from AI chatbots.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Ablethorpe and Ebbw Vale
Supported the initiative, noted possible connection between macho attitudes in sports environments and difficulty reaching out for help, suggested other sporting federations might follow Premier League example. Responded positively to the suggestion about publicising mental health initiatives and highlighted the importance of raising awareness through human interactions, such as attending football matches.
Torbay
Participated in the Baton of Hope relay, an initiative that encourages conversations about suicide. Supports community approaches to help those struggling.
Tom Gordon
LD
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Asked if there should be more support for charities like the Jordan Legacy that work on reducing suicide risk among young people.
Government Response
Stephen Kinnock
The Minister for Care
Government Response
Welcomes the debate and pays tribute to Philip Pirie's campaigning. Acknowledges the complexity of suicide prevention, focusing on reducing stigma, addressing risk factors outside mental health services, and delivering the suicide prevention strategy. Mentions steady progress through joint working with NHS, voluntary sector, academia, and other partners. Praises initiatives like Rugby borough council’s plaques initiative and supports similar ecosystem approaches in other parts of the country. Announced a £3.6 million programme over three years targeting middle-aged men at greatest risk of suicide; highlighted the Premier League’s partnership to tackle male suicide, providing visible mental health support in stadiums through advertising hoardings and mental health experts; noted that the scheme is entirely funded by the Premier League with Government providing content and steering.
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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.