Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May has named conservative politician Jackie Doyle-Price as Secretary of State for Suicide Prevention. With the newly created post, the high suicide rate is to be pushed back, May said Wednesday at the World Health Summit in London, CCN reports. "We can end the stigma that has forced too many to suffer silently, and we can prevent the tragedy of suicide from taking too many lives."
Every year, nearly 4,500 people die in the UK. For men under the age of 45, suicide is even the leading cause of death.
In her new post, Jackie Doyle-Price will lead a task force to work with experts on suicide and self-harm prevention, charities, clinicians and stakeholders.
Premier May has pledged more support for psychiatric services for children
Earlier, Doyle-Price was State Secretary for Health. She has met many people who mourn through suicide and whose stories of pain and loss will accompany them for a long time, said the new Parliamentary State Secretary for Mental Health and Inequalities.
"It's these people who need to be at the heart of what we do," says Doyle-Price. She wanted to make sure that "her views are always heard."
In addition, May has pledged more support for mental health services for children and adolescents, as well as funding a hotline that people with mental health problems can contact around the clock and for free.