Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, secured cross-party support for his successful Parliamentary motion, pushing for age-appropriate suicide awareness to be included in the school curriculum. The success was thanks to help from mental health champion and Penrith and The Border constituent, Andy Airey, who after the tragic passing of his daughter to suicide, has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for suicide prevention charities.
The motion, which also asks the Government to expand mental health first aid training to staff in schools and colleges, was signed by MPs from across the political spectrum– recognising the devastating impact suicide can have on communities across the country. Dr Hudson joined the 3 Dads for a leg of their walk as they journeyed into Penrith.
This follows his ongoing support for local mental health champion and Penrith and The Border resident, Andy Airey, who is a member of 3 Dads Walking, along with Tim Owen and Michael Palmer. The group have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for suicide awareness and prevention charities in the memory of their daughters Sophie, Beth, and Emily who all tragically took their own lives.
Not alone in their stories, suicide is the biggest killer of under-35s with more than 200 schoolchildren losing their lives to suicide every year in the UK. Dr Hudson’s motion will help youngsters better understand suicide, break down the stigma associated with suicide, and ultimately save lives through identifying those at risk.
The Early Day Motion, supported by a cross-party coalition of MPs, including Rosie Duffield MP, Dr Liam Fox MP, Kirsty Blackman MP, Tracey Crouch MP and Ben Lake MP was tabled by Dr Hudson on 21st September.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“This motion is paramount to making sure our children are safe. I’ve pushed for better mental health provision by raising it repeatedly in the Chamber, on the EFRA Committee, and in discussions with ministers; but sadly still there is a hesitance within society to talk openly about suicide and suicide prevention.
“It was a real honour to join the 3 Dads on their walk as they journeyed into Penrith. The reception from everyone was uplifting to behold.
“Ultimately raising awareness of mental health, talking about suicide can help save lives of people young and old.
“I am humbled to have worked with Andy, Mike, and Tim on this important campaign and cannot thank them enough for their brave, tireless, and selfless campaigning. They really are an inspiration.”
Member of 3 Dads Walking and Penrith and The Border resident, Andy Airey, added:
“Suicide is the biggest killer of under 35’s in the UK. As a society we need to talk about suicide and suicide prevention. We need our schools to deliver age-appropriate lessons on help-seeking behaviour and suicide awareness to mitigate against the biggest risk in every young person’s lives - themselves.”
In 2021, 3 Dads Walking walked over 300 miles in memory of their daughters raising more than £800,000 and encouraging more people to talk openly about suicide and suicide prevention.
Aiming to beat their own fundraising target, the team are now walking a month-long 600-mile trek, visiting all the UK’s parliaments on their route. Again, the money will go to the UK’s foremost young suicide prevention charity, PAPYRUS.
Aiming to raise £1 million, you can help support the team, via: www.justgiving.com/team/3DadsWalking1
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).
