§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are his strategies for the reduction of deaths from suicide in(a) adults and (b) adolescents. [38537]
§ Mr. BowisA wide range of initiatives are being pursued. The key themes of our suicide prevention work are improving mental health services, increasing public awareness of mental health issues, targeting occupational and demographic groups at particular risk of suicide, and reducing access to means. The overall suicide rate has now fallen in each of the last four years.
In addition, we have a comprehensive strategy to improve child and adolescent mental health. Most recently, public awareness work in support of World Mental Health Day focused particularly on young people.