Content note: the following article contains references to suicide that readers might find upsetting. 

Over half of adults in the UK (52%) believe the British government should be doing more to prevent suicide among young people, according to new research.

The study, which was undertaken by YouGov and commissioned by Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm), found that many people believe the government has a long way to go to ensure young people are being provided with adequate care for their mental health. Over six in 10 people said that they believed young people aged 15–24 face more challenges than their parents did at their age, with Calm saying this points to signs of a youth mental crisis.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for young people aged 15–34, claiming the lives of 6,929 15–24-year-olds in the past decade. Worryingly, Calm’s research also found that people trying to seek support for mental health issues are also being let down, with 65% of UK adults saying they wouldn’t feel confident about where to turn for practical support should they need to support a young person with suicidal thoughts. A further 59% felt there is insufficient public services funding for mental health and suicide prevention, showing a real necessity for the government to take more action.

Commenting on the research, Simon Gunning, CEO of Calm, said: “We cannot stand idly by while young lives continue to be needlessly lost. Over the past decade, 6,929 young adults have taken their own lives in the UK, and these statistics serve as a deafening call to action against government inaction, which has consistently failed young people in the UK.”

Gunning also announced a new Calm initiative to arm people with a toolkit to help support young people: the Calm C.A.R.E Kit. “Suicide prevention can’t wait,” explained Gunning. “Young people are facing immense social challenges and economic pressures, which is why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to fill that gap now with the Calm C.A.R.E Kit, which we’re urging absolutely everyone to save, share and bookmark.

“We all have a role to play in ending youth suicide. By starting life-saving conversations, we can all do our bit to help a young person find a way forward and make sure they never believe that suicide is their only option.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you can find support and resources on the mental health charity Mind’s website and NHS Every Mind Matters or access the NHS’s list of mental health helplines and services.

If you are struggling with your mental health, you can also ask your GP for a referral to NHS Talking Therapies, or you can self-refer.

For confidential support, you can also call Samaritans in the UK on 116 123.

Calm hosts a suicide prevention helpline and provides online mental health resources for anyone who needs them.

Images: Getty