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| Scale of suicide unacceptable, say MPs | Scale of suicide unacceptable, say MPs |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The number of people taking their own lives in England is unacceptably high, according to a report by the Health Select Committee. | The number of people taking their own lives in England is unacceptably high, according to a report by the Health Select Committee. |
| The group of MPs is putting pressure on the government ahead of its new plan for preventing suicides, which is expected in the New Year. | The group of MPs is putting pressure on the government ahead of its new plan for preventing suicides, which is expected in the New Year. |
| The number of deaths by suicide was 4,820 in England in 2015 - part of a UK-wide figure of 6,188. | The number of deaths by suicide was 4,820 in England in 2015 - part of a UK-wide figure of 6,188. |
| The committee said support needed to be more accessible to those at risk. | The committee said support needed to be more accessible to those at risk. |
| One bereaved mother who gave evidence said to the committee said: "My son wasn't hard to reach, it was the services that were hard to reach." | One bereaved mother who gave evidence said to the committee said: "My son wasn't hard to reach, it was the services that were hard to reach." |
| The group of MPs called for the NHS to "embrace innovative approaches" such as online services. | The group of MPs called for the NHS to "embrace innovative approaches" such as online services. |
| The MPs' report also said GPs needed more training in spotting people at risk of suicide and that there should be more support after patients are discharged from psychiatric services. | The MPs' report also said GPs needed more training in spotting people at risk of suicide and that there should be more support after patients are discharged from psychiatric services. |
| 'Irresponsible' reporting | |
| Dr Sarah Wollaston, the committee's chair, said: "4,820 people are recorded as having died by suicide in England last year, but the true figure is likely to be higher. | |
| "Suicide is preventable and much more can and should be done to support those at risk." | "Suicide is preventable and much more can and should be done to support those at risk." |
| The group of MPs also attacked "irresponsible" reporting of suicide by the media that leads to "copycat behaviour" by those at risk of taking their own lives. | The group of MPs also attacked "irresponsible" reporting of suicide by the media that leads to "copycat behaviour" by those at risk of taking their own lives. |
| The government's revised suicide prevention strategy is due to be published in January. | The government's revised suicide prevention strategy is due to be published in January. |
| However, the committee said government needed to do better than last time as "the government's 2012 suicide prevention strategy has been characterised by inadequate leadership, poor accountability and insufficient action". | However, the committee said government needed to do better than last time as "the government's 2012 suicide prevention strategy has been characterised by inadequate leadership, poor accountability and insufficient action". |
| A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "Every death by suicide is a tragedy and devastating for families, friends and communities. | A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "Every death by suicide is a tragedy and devastating for families, friends and communities. |
| "We are investing almost £1bn in providing mental health support in A&E and home-based crisis care and are currently updating our suicide prevention strategy, which we are confident will address many of the issues raised by the committee." | "We are investing almost £1bn in providing mental health support in A&E and home-based crisis care and are currently updating our suicide prevention strategy, which we are confident will address many of the issues raised by the committee." |
| Ruth Sutherland, the chief executive of the Samaritans, said: "People are continuing to die and suicide prevention is still not being prioritised. | Ruth Sutherland, the chief executive of the Samaritans, said: "People are continuing to die and suicide prevention is still not being prioritised. |
| "Every six seconds someone contacts Samaritans for help. | "Every six seconds someone contacts Samaritans for help. |
| "This report should serve as a wake-up call to the Government and we are delighted that our request for a clear implementation programme has been included in this report." | "This report should serve as a wake-up call to the Government and we are delighted that our request for a clear implementation programme has been included in this report." |
| Ian Hulatt, from the Royal College of Nursing, said: "Any suicide is a profound individual tragedy. | Ian Hulatt, from the Royal College of Nursing, said: "Any suicide is a profound individual tragedy. |
| "The NHS 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 NHS 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." |