Only small change needed to make big change in suicide prevention – Samaritans

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Renewing suicide prevention funding in England would cost less than a loaf of bread per person and must be pledged in the autumn statement next week, Samaritans has urged. The organisation said it wanted to send a message to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt that it would only take a “handful of small change from the Treasury to make a big change to suicide rates”, as supporters holding giant coins demonstrated outside Parliament. Samaritans chief executive Julie Bentley was among those who stood in Parliament Square holding giant coins totalling £1.40 – the amount the charity has said it would cost per person to renew funding in England which is due to end in March. “The Government has just increased funding for local anti-smoking services to £140 million and we’re asking Jeremy Hunt for barely half that amount, the equivalent of £1.40 for every person in England, to be put into community suicide prevention.