Leading mental health groups across the UK have signed the letter to the next Prime Minister to ensure suicide prevention is included in the Government’s Levelling Up agenda.
It will be delivered by If U Care Share founder Matthew Smith at the end of his 11-day 289 mile run from the charity’s offices.
Matthew, who founded If U Care Share with his family after his brother Daniel O’Hare died by suicide, is running from Chester-le-Street to Downing Street to deliver the letter to the new PM.
He is running in a vest featuring the names of 183 people who have died by suicide, dedicated by families and friends, including Daniel, former Newcastle United's Gary Speed and Love Island presenter Caroline Flack.
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The letter has been signed by representatives from Samaritans, Beyond, Chasing the Stigma, PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, James’ Place, as well as Matthew oil behalf of If U Care Share.
The content will be revealed when the Prime Minister is in residence, two days before Matthew’s arrival in the capital.
Amateur footballer Matthew started training for his gruelling run a year after snapping his achilles.
The run, sponsored by 13 businesses, including VH Bio and Steve Morgan Foundation, is also expected to raise more than £25,000 for the charity which was set up by Matthew and his family following Daniel O’Hare’s death at the age of 19.
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The charity now provides valuable services for families affected by suicide and mental health workshops for schools, businesses and Premier League, EFL and WSL football academies.
Suicide is the biggest killer of young men across the North of England and Scotland.
The letter, which will be delivered to Downing Street two days after the new Premier takes over, calls on the Government to include suicide prevention in the Levelling Up White Paper.
According to the Office for National Statistics in England in 2020:
• 4912 suicides were registered in England.
• The overall suicide rate was 10.0 per 100,000 compared to 10.8 per 100,000 in 2019.
• The male suicide rate for was 15.3 per 100,000 compared to the female suicide rate of 4.9 per 100,000
• Males aged 45-49 continue to have the highest suicide rate (23.8 per 100,000)
• There is regional variation in the suicide rates.
• The North East of England had the highest suicide rate (13.3. per 100,000) in 2020, which has been the case in five out of the last 10 preceding years and saw an increase of 15.7 per cent compared to 2019.
The united group of six mental health and suicide prevention charities, which offer a range of support and services to people affected by mental health and suicide, has also offered to meet the new Prime Minister.
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Matthew Smith said: “Suicide prevention needs to be part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda because the North East and North West have the highest rates of suicide - and it should be an obvious option to invest in to improve things.
“The letter urges the new Prime Minister, whoever that is, to ensure suicide prevention and support for those bereaved by suicide sits at the heart and alongside the Levelling Up White Paper - because currently it doesn't.
“It has been a tough few months training to be ready for the run, just a year after snapping my achilles. And I know there will be some difficult days and moments ahead and some highs and lows along the route.
“But this is an important message that needs to be delivered to our new Prime Minister and the Government and it is an honour to carry the letter to Downing Street on behalf of so many people.”
Donations can be made to Matthew’s Run Fundraiser at www.bit.ly/matthewsrun or by texting MATTHEW to 70085 to donate £10.
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