A Letter to the Prime Minister
Today we wrote to the Prime Minister.
Every day we walked we were joined by suicide-bereaved parents. They shared their stories of loss, grief and unimaginable pain – every story was crushingly sad, parents and friends left devastated, struggling to understand what had happened within their family. Every story was different (other than the outcome) but most shared a common element – no support for young people regarding mental health & wellbeing during their education. There was nothing in place that attempted to help young people understand the mental health challenges they may encounter and absolutely no mention of suicide or suicide prevention.
Hearing the same lack of support mentioned day after day everywhere we went raised a sense of righteous anger – what kind of society are we living in where the biggest danger to our young people is themselves and we are choosing to ignore the issue, letting hundreds a year continue to die?
Our conversations kept coming back to the deficit of any relevant education in schools and colleges, particularly in the compulsory Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) lessons. Before the walk I had looked at the PSHE curriculum and remembered it as being vague and wishy-washy – on my return I looked again and it just made me angry.
Suicide is the biggest killer of under 35’s in the UK and the PSHE curriculum doesn’t make any reference whatsoever to mental health & wellbeing or suicide & suicide prevention. Why not?
We have written to the Prime Minister to ask him to ensure that the topics of mental health and suicide prevention are added to the PSHE curriculum. We are not asking for increased resources (the lessons are taking place already), all we want to see are age-appropriate lessons delivered to young people as they come through their education (with the contacts we have we could also find professionals to write the lesson plans). This would cost the government nothing but it would have an immediate impact on young suicides.
Imagine if all young people had been introduced to possible mental health issues, discussed suicide prevention and were made aware of HOPELINEUK…we know the direct link between suicide awareness and people reaching out for help. Doing this would save lives.
We look forward to the reply from the Prime Minister.
Here’s the transcript of our letter:
Saving Young Lives
Dear Prime Minister
Having received correspondence via DCMS at your request we understand that you are aware of the 300-mile walk we have just completed to raise funds for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide and encourage open conversations about suicide prevention.
Every day on the walk we were joined by suicide-bereaved parents who shared their stories of shock, loss and grief with us. Each suicide was different (other than the outcome) but most shared one key element – that the young people who took their own lives hadn’t been given any support during their education that may have helped equip them to help themselves or each other.
Suicide is the biggest killer of under 35’s in the UK. Why is this not addressed during school years?
The current PSHE curriculum states that the education programme should “equip pupils with a sound understanding of risk and the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions” and that topics covered should include “drug education, financial education, sex and relationship education and the importance of physical activity and diet for a healthy lifestyle”.
Where are positive mental health or suicide prevention? If the most dangerous thing in our young people’s lives is themselves, why isn’t our education system trying to equip them to deal with this risk?
Will you ensure that the topics of positive mental health and suicide prevention are added to the PSHE curriculum?
Yours sincerely
Andy Airey Mike Palmer Tim Owen
3 Dads Walking
cc The Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi MP - Secretary of State for Education
Gillian Keegan MP - Minister of State (for Care and Mental Health)
Ged Flynn – CEO PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide
