Andrew Western attended the launch of the ‘Baton of Hope’ in Parliament. The ‘Baton of Hope’ is a UK workplace pledge for suicide awareness, support and prevention.
There are 17 deaths each day from suicide and the numbers have not changed dramatically over the last 20 years, despite numerous initiatives.
The ‘Baton of Hope’ is a six-principle pledge for suicide support and prevention in the workplace. Here’s an overview of the pledge:
- Make suicide awareness, support and prevention a workplace priority.
- Use clear and consistent messaging about suicide for internal communication and induction training.
- Implement suicide prevention, early detection and supportive services.
- Embrace those with ‘lived experience’ of mental ill-health or suicide.
- Promote crisis services and other resources providing suicide prevention advice, counselling, training and support.
- Promote the pledge to increase suicide awareness, support and prevention.
It’s hope that organisations committing to the pledge will show employees, clients and potential recruits that they are committed to the principles and support a move towards a zero-suicide society.
Andrew Western, the MP for Stretford and Urmston, said: “It was great to attend the launch of the Baton of Hope’s Workplace Charter in Parliament last week. The Charter will provide guidance to all businesses on how they can make suicide awareness and prevention a priority.”
“This is such a vital issue. Improving mental health outcomes is a priority for the Labour Party and I’m so pleased that earlier this week, Keir Starmer committed a Labour Government to reversing the rise in suicide deaths within five years.”