Letter to Jeremy Hunt MP – Suicide Prevention Planning

Kathy Roberts has sent a letter to The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Health, in response to the updated PHE Local Suicide Prevention Planning document, which was launched in October, and in response to the recent letter from the Secretary of State asking Local Authorities to develop multi-agency suicide prevention plans.

In the letter, we highlighted our concern at the limited focus on engagement with the voluntary and community sector in reducing and preventing suicide. We emphasised that the sector must not continue to be misunderstood when considering a future for improved mental health care and support through community engagement, and be considered a crucial partner at each stage of policy development and implementation.

The letter dated 14 November 2016, was also sent to The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and colleagues at Public Health England and Local Government Association. As a sign of encouragement, we were pleased to receive a swift response from Public Health England who have shown their commitment to working with us in this area.