RCN comments on suicide prevention strategy

Published: 10 September 2012

The Royal College of Nursing today responded to the Government’s new suicide prevention strategy for England, which pledges extra funding for research into preventing suicide among at-risk groups.

The all-age strategy, Preventing Suicide in England, supports action by bringing together knowledge about groups at higher risk of suicide, applying evidence of effective interventions and highlighting resources available.

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said: “Any suicide is an individual tragedy of huge proportions. The effects may be felt by families for generations, and anybody touched by suicide will know that while tragic, the reasons are never simple.

“While health staff and others do have considerable expertise in working to prevent suicide, identifying those at risk and responding is still an enormous challenge. The Government is right that preventing suicide is a matter for everybody, and health staff such as nurses will want to play their part alongside others.”

Dr Carter added that the NHS in particular has a duty towards individuals and the community to improve care for people with known mental health problems, as well as those who may be at risk of developing them. “The RCN is committed to working with the Government to ensure that individuals do not slip through the net so that tragedy can be avoided wherever possible.”

The strategy is backed by a call to action led by the Samaritans and up to £1.5 million for new research.

Read more about the strategy on the DH web pages