A new report has been published into young people and suicide by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention, following an inquiry into why suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged between ten and 24.
The APPG spoke to young people with lived experience of suicidal thoughts or suicide itself, as well as those who had been affected by the suicide of someone young.
It was heard that young people are being turned away from services or are not being taken seriously when they get in touch with official organisations to discuss their suicidal feelings.
Concerningly, young people are being informed that they’re either too high risk or not high risk enough to access mental health services, with many being turned away from help by A&E departments and mental health services.
As such, the government, those in educational settings and health services are all missing vital chances to provide support to young people at the earliest opportunity.
Report recommendations
One of the key ambitions included in the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England 2023 is to ensure that there is no wrong door to services, so that when people do reach out because of suicidal ideation or feelings, they have access to the support they need when they need it… but this new inquiry has found that this isn’t happening in practice.
Its recommendation is that NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care work together under the 10-Year Health Plan umbrella to provide whole service support to young people the first time they seek support and help, ensuring that no one is excluded from accessing care.
Among the other recommendations featured in the report is the suggestion that the government should invest in suicide prevention training for all healthcare employees on the frontline who have contact with young people at risk of suicide, including GPs, A&E staff, receptionists, ambulance workers and so on.
Continuity of care was another key issue highlighted by the report, with the inquiry hearing that the NHS has pledged to abolish age thresholds for young people transitioning to adult mental health services.
Experts suggested that a transitional mental health service be developed so that people between the ages of 18 and 25 continue to receive the same levels of support as they enter adulthood.
This should include improved communication and interventions for anyone on waiting lists, as well as compulsory follow-up support for those presenting at health services with suicidality.
The APPG also wants to see the Mental Health Act reformed, with people given an automatic right to assessment and treatment, as well as being able to appeal decisions. Additionally, young people should be placed in appropriate wards close to home and familiar environments.
A mental health bill redraft did take place in 2022 and the current government has now committed to moving forward with reform, with the bill approaching the Committee Stage.
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