AN urgent warning has been issued that thousands of Brits struggling with mental health are at risk of suicide.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists said that nearly 38,000 vital follow-up appointments with mental health patients were missed at the time at which they were most at risk of taking their own life.
The medical body has now called for “urgent action” to ensure more people are seen for follow-ups within 72 hours of discharge.
Data shows that the risk of suicide is highest on the second and third days after leaving a mental health ward.
However, 37,999 follow-up appointments with patients were not made within this timeframe in England between April 2020 and May 2022.
According to NHS data, just over three-quarters (76 per cent) of follow-ups took place within that period out of the 160,430 eligible patients.
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And a 2019 target of at least 80 per cent of people being followed up within this timeframe has never been achieved.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics said 4,912 suicides were registered in 2020 in England.
The male suicide rate stands at 15.3 per 100,000 while the rate among women at 4.9.
As a result, the Royal College of Psychiatrists is calling for urgent action.
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They called for more trained specialists to check on those at risk which they say requires more staffing and funding.
Face-to-face appointments should take place with specialist staff either at the patient’s home or at a follow-on care setting for assessment.
The Sun launched it's suicide prevention campaign, You're Not Alone, to help encourage people to talk about their mental health and remind those facing a tough time that there is hope.
Dr Adrian James, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “We simply can’t afford to let people fall through the cracks at a time when they are so vulnerable.
“It’s vital that our mental health services are properly staffed and funded to offer proper follow-up care and help prevent suicides.
“Staff are working as hard as they can to provide high-quality care but it’s clear that current resources are not enough to meet these targets."
Signs of suicide contemplation
These are some key signs to watch out for in not just your loved ones, but yourself, too:
- A change in routine, such as sleeping or eating less than normal
- Struggling to sleep, lacking energy or appearing particularly tired
- Drinking, smoking or using drugs more than usual
- Finding it hard to cope with everyday things
- Not wanting to do things they usually enjoy
- Becoming withdrawn from friends and family – not wanting to talk or be with people
- Appearing more tearful
- Appearing restless, agitated, nervous, irritable
- Putting themselves down in a serious or jokey way, for example 'Oh, no one loves me', or 'I'm a waste of space'
- Losing interest in their appearance, not liking or taking care of themselves or feeling they don't matter
An NHS spokesperson said: “NHS mental health services are treating more people than ever before, whether it be for talking therapies, eating disorders or people with a severe mental illness getting care in the community.
“The NHS set an ambitious target for 72-hour follow-up appointments, which was previously seven days.
"This is in addition to a range of support in place, including 24/7 crisis telephone lines across the country – and so anyone struggling with their mental health should come forward and get the support they need.”
Meanwhile, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said that billions would be spent on mental health.
A statement said: “We are improving mental health services which will see over £2.3 billion of additional funding a year by 2024 – enabling an extra two million people across England to get help.
“Improving mental health is a key part of our commitment to level up unequal outcomes and life chances across the country.
"Earlier this year we launched a call for evidence to better understand what government can do in the longer term to support mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention.”
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Read more on how to talk to someone that might be suicidal here.
If you think someone is in immediate danger, call an ambulance on 999.
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
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