The United Kingdom has appointed the worlds’ first ever Minister for suicide prevention, Jackie Dyle-Price over concerns of increasing numbers of people taking their lives in that country.
The move, intended to tackle the tragedy of 4,500 people taking their own lives in England each year, comes on World Mental Health Day.
Jackie Doyle-Price, a Conservative MP and current health minister, has been appointed to lead the government’s efforts to confront the issue, which is the leading cause of death in men aged under 45.
The new role will head up a ministerial taskforce, working with experts in suicide and self-harm prevention, charities, clinicians and those personally affected by suicide.
Mrs. Price’ new title will be Minister for Mental Health, inequalities and suicide prevention.
Primary and secondary schools will now be mandated to carry out wellbeing assessment to spot potential mental health issues.
Mental health problems among the youth have increased six fold over the last 20 years with one in every 10 children now having a diagnosable condition.
The announcement of the new portfolio was made by Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday 10th October 2018, which was World Mental Health Day.
Source: BestNewsGH.com
