Samaritans announce new research into self-harm on world suicide prevention day
New research into self-harm and the support available has been commissioned on World Suicide Prevention Day.
Suicide prevention charity Samaritans, which will be talking to young people who have self-harmed as part of the study, will also investigate the link it has with people taking their own lives.
There has been an “extremely worrying” increase in self-harm among young people, according to Jacqui Morrissey, assistant director of research and influencing at Samaritans.
She said: “Together we need to ensure young people are aware of healthy coping mechanisms when they are struggling.”
The Government “lacks a clear plan on how to reach those who self-harm, particularly young people and those who aren’t engaged with health services”, she added.
World Suicide Prevention Day is being marked with events across the country including talks and fundraisers, according to the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).
In London around 200 pairs of empty pairs of shoes will be left outside Parliament to represent the children who kill themselves each year.
Health campaign group Keep Our NHS Public, which is organising the demonstration on Tuesday, said it aims to “highlight the appalling threat to young people that a lack of investment in mental health services have”.
“Every life lost is not only an individual tragedy but one that affects many others including family, friends and the wider community,” the organisers said.
“We believe along with leading charities that the Government can and must now treat this crisis as a public health emergency.”
World Suicide Prevention Day is an annual awareness-raising event held on September 10, organised by the IASP.
Last week official figures revealed that the number of suicides has risen for the first time since 2013, with a significant increase among men.
A total of 6,507 suicides were registered in the UK last year.
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