Samaritans and Shout are devastated to hear of the closure of suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS.
Our immediate thoughts are with the young people, families and staff affected. For three decades, PAPYRUS has provided vital support to people at some of the most difficult moments in their lives.
But we are also concerned that this is a significant loss for the suicide prevention community.
Charities are supporting growing numbers of people with increasingly complex needs, while operating in an extremely challenging financial environment. Demand does not disappear when a service closes or reduces provision. Instead, it falls on other organisations that are already working at or close to capacity.
“It’s a sad day for suicide prevention, and our immediate thoughts are with the many young people and families they have supported over the last 30 years as well as the dedicated staff and volunteers.
“We also know that this is a stark reminder of just how much pressure charities are under; we cannot take these vital services for granted. At a time when suicide rates have not fallen for 20 years, suicide prevention needs sustained support and investment. Without it, we risk losing more of the charities that provide a lifeline to people when they need it most.” said Julie Bentley, CEO of Samaritans.
"The increase in poor mental health among young people is well documented. Losing a charity dedicated to supporting young people when they need it most is devastating. Suicide remains the leading cause of death of people under 30. Whilst Shout and Samaritans will continue to provide support around the clock, it is critical that suicide prevention receives adequate support to ensure that we can be there for our young people." said Victoria Hornby, CEO of Mental Health Innovations.
If you need support, help is available. Our crisis text service, Shout, is here for you, 24/7. Simply text the word ‘Shout’ to 85258 for urgent support, at any time of day or night. The Mix, our destination for young people, provides online resources, peer support, counselling and live chats at The Mix.