Today in the House of Commons, Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to guarantee the inclusion of suicide prevention into the National Curriculum, during Prime Minister’s Questions, and secured a further meeting between the Prime Minister and the 3 Dads Walking.
The 3 Dads Walking, Andy Airey, Tim Owen and Mike Palmer, have been campaigning to see suicide prevention included in the Relationship, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) Curriculum in schools, following the tragic loss of their daughters, Sophie, Emily and Beth to suicide. Their story has rightly gained national attention, raising over £1million through fundraising walks, in support of the PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide mental health charity, being awarded MBEs by the King, and winning the Pride of Britain Award for their efforts.
Campaigning on this issue over the years has seen Dr Hudson join the 3 Dads on one of their fundraising walks, gaining cross-party support for a Early Day Motion calling to expand mental health first aid training in schools and colleges, and facilitating a meeting between the 3 Dads and former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak while in office, to discuss the 3 Dads Walking’s campaign and what can be done to help prevent suicide in young people.
Following that meeting, the previous Government introduced new draft RSHE guidance including age-appropriate suicide prevention. A consultation was then carried out on the guidance as required, but a response to it has not been issued since it was completed in July last year.
Suicide is the biggest killer of under-35s in the UK, so suicide prevention, delivered in an age-appropriate way, could be key to saving more young lives and breaking down the barriers to reaching young people in crisis.
A meeting with the Prime Minister will be a further step to discuss what the current Government will do on this vital issue.
In Prime Minister’s Questions, Dr Hudson asked:
“Sadly, suicide is the biggest killer of young people under 35. Andy Airey, Tim Owen and Mike Palmer are the ‘3 Dads Walking’. They each tragically lost their precious daughters Sophie, Emily and Beth to suicide, and have campaigned tirelessly for suicide prevention to be included in the school curriculum in an age-appropriate way.
We met with the previous Prime Minister in Downing Street and suicide prevention was added to the RSHE Curriculum Guidance for consultation last year.
I know the Prime Minister has met the 3 Dads and supports their campaign, but progress has stalled.
Please, would the Prime Minister meet with me and the 3 Dads so that we can finally get this over the line, and ultimately save young lives?”
Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer replied:
“Can I thank him for steadfastly raising this really important issue, particularly during Children’s Mental Health Week? I have met the 3 Dads Walking. They are inspirational and their courage is extraordinary. As the father of young children, I don’t know how they are able to campaign in the way that they do. I am not sure I would be able to do so. So f course, I can assure him that I will meet them again and push this really important agenda forward.”
Following Prime Minister’s Questions, Dr Hudson commented:
“It was a humbling privilege to be able to use my rare PMQ chance to ask the Prime Minister about the important work and campaigning of the 3 Dads Walking, who are a real testament to all of us about the power of turning pain and tragedy into helping others.
Putting age-appropriate suicide prevention into the school curriculum is something that will save young lives, and I really hope that further meeting the Prime Minister can be the final catalyst to make this change.”
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For young people dealing with thoughts of suicide or those concerned for a young person who might be, PAPYRUS operate a confidential service called HOPELINE UK which you can call (0800 068 4141), text (07860039967), or email [email protected].
Other crisis helplines include the Samaritans (116 123), SANEline (0300 304 7000), National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK (0800 689 5652), and Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58).
