Rochdale MP, Tony Lloyd, is calling for age-appropriate suicide awareness to be embedded in the school curriculum and to expand mental health first aid training for staff in educational settings.

Tony said, “More than 200 school-aged children are taking their own lives each year. That is a shocking figure, and we should all be shocked that suicide is a major killer of young people.

“That’s why I am calling on the government to embed age-appropriate suicide awareness and prevention in the school curriculum to engage with schools to allow this to happen, and to expand mental health first aid training for staff in educational settings.

“Research shows that, with appropriate early intervention and support, suicide can be prevented.”

Tony joins 27 cross-party MPs in signing a Parliamentary motion in demanding action now. The motion also commends the Three Dads Walking campaign set up by Andy Airey, Tim Owen, and Mike Palmer, who with their UK walk are raising awareness of young suicide and boosting charity funds following the tragic losses of their daughters, Sophie, Emily and Beth to suicide.

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Notes for editors:-

• The full text of the motion, and the full list of signatories, can be found here.