Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day 2024, BSI can announce the development of a new standard that aims to enable organizations to take a proactive role in suicide prevention. The standard will bring together best practices and provide a clear framework for organizations to implement effective suicide prevention strategies and support those affected by suicide.
Recent statistics from the Office for National Statistics highlight the urgency of this work, as suicide rates in England and Wales have reached their highest levels in over two decades. In 2023, the male suicide rate rose to 17.4 deaths per 100,000, the highest since 1999. Female suicide rates also increased, rising to 5.7 deaths per 100,000, the highest since 1994.
A dedicated committee of experts and stakeholders has been established to collaborate on the development of this important standard. Over the coming year, they will pool their collective knowledge to create a practical toolkit that organizations can use to support people and reduce the risk of suicide. We would like to thank everybody who has volunteered to work on this standard and we will continue to provide updates on the standard’s progress.
If you work in the suicide prevention field or are a thought leader in this area and are interested in joining the committee, we invite you to apply here: https://bit.ly/4cUjDC9
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For immediate support, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or visit https://lnkd.in/eVviRnP.