More Funding For Suicide Prevention Groups

30 April 2019, 11:21 | Updated: 30 April 2019, 11:24

Extra money is being given to projects in Lancashire that want to help reduce the number of people taking their own lives.

£80,000 is available for groups in the county that focus on self-harm and suicide - in particular by middle aged men.

Led by Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria, a partnership of local authority, public sector, NHS and health and care organisations, groups are being offered between £500 and £5000 to support mental health projects.

Paul Hopley, Mental Health Programme Deputy Director for Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria, said: “We will keep working tirelessly to reduce deaths by suicide. Most local people who take their own lives are not known to our specialist mental health services, so we’re reaching out to our communities to innovate - test a new idea, device or method - so that all of us may learn more about how to prevent suicide. We want to understand what makes a difference to people who are feeling suicidal or are self-harming and what works to keep them safe during those periods of their life.”

Any community group, charity or organisation can apply. The majority of the funding is likely to be awarded to local groups from the voluntary or charity sectors though. 

Bids will be considered by a small panel from the multi-agency Suicide Prevention Oversight Board. The panel will include representation from Public Health, Clinical Commissioning Groups and people impacted by suicide.

Applications need to be submitted via the Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria website and must be received by 27th May 2019. Visit www.healthierlsc.co.uk/suicidepreventionfund to apply.