§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what key indicators are used to assess whether a person is actively contemplating suicide; and what plans he has to raise awareness of them among(a) health professionals and (b) the public. [13968]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 15 November 2001]: I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.
Information about the factors associated with suicide, including the social, economic and clinical indicators for vulnerable individuals and groups is provided in the National Service Framework for Mental Health, along with the action needed to achieve the target in "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation" to reduce the death rate from suicide by at least one fifth by 2010. We are also in the process of developing a national suicide prevention strategy which we will launch for public consultation in spring 2002.
835WThe Department continues to work in partnership with mental health service users, voluntary sector charities and professional organisations to provide better information about mental health issues, to challenge the stigma and discrimination that is often associated with mental ill health and to contribute to a reduction in suicide rates.