Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has welcomed the announcement of a multi-million pound boost to support the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors on suicide prevention services.
The announcement follows the local MP’s Levelling Up Mental Health Summit, held earlier this month. The event brought together local and national leaders to discuss what more needed to be done to improve health and wellbeing provision, including former Health Minister Seema Kennedy, and Nick Smith of Missing Peace in Keighley.
The pandemic has seen an increase in the number of people seeking support, with some services seeing a 20% increase in demand.
The new £4m funding pot will open for applications next week, with Mr. Moore urging local organisations to apply from December 2nd.
The support will be targeted at high-risk groups who have struggled most during the pandemic, such as people with a pre-existing mental illness, children and young people, NHS and social care staff who’ve faced enormous pressure over the last 18 months, and people in contact with the criminal justice system.
The funding will provide organisations with additional resource that will enable them to either set up new projects or expand or sustain current services to ensure people are supported.
Keighley and Ilkley’s MP Robbie Moore said “The key message from my Levelling Up Mental Health Summit just a few weeks ago the importance of further funding, so I am absolutely delighted this new funding has been secured!
“The pandemic has had a huge impact on mental health. It’s okay to not be okay, and I urge anybody who needs it to come forward and access support from one of our many brilliant local organisations.”
Minister for Mental Health, Gillian Keegan MP, said: “I know the last 18 months have been really challenging and many more people have been asking for help with their mental health.
“I want to be clear: we are here to support anyone struggling – and if you need help, I encourage you to reach out.
“The entire suicide prevention voluntary sector has played a crucial role in providing people with the help and support they need throughout the pandemic and I encourage them to apply for this funding so we can continue to support our communities.”
This funding boost builds on the Mental Health Recovery Action Plan, backed by £500 million, has ensured the right support is being offered to people with a variety of mental health conditions who have been impacted most by the pandemic.
