Government Launches £10m Suicide Prevention Grant Fund for England

Funding to support charities and other not-for-profit organisations to continue their suicide prevention services in England from 2023 to 2025.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is inviting voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations providing suicide prevention services, activities or interventions that are free of charge to their service users in England only to apply for grants of up to £750,000 through the £10 million Suicide Prevention Grant Fund.

The funding is to be used for running costs and cover small capital costs which are critical to the delivery of suicide prevention activities. It is expected that, wherever possible, successful projects will start work between December 2023 and January 2024 and be completed by 31 March 2025.

Applicants must the meet strategic objectives of the fund which are to support:

  • Non-profit organisations to configure their suicide prevention services and activities to better meet the increased demand seen in recent years.
  • A range of diverse and innovative activity that can prevent suicides, both at a national and community level.

There is particular interest in funding suicide prevention activity targeted at the following:

  • Groups of concern
    • Children and young people
    • Middle-aged men
    • People who have previously self-harmed
    • People in contact with mental health services
    • People in contact with the justice system
    • Autistic people
    • Pregnant women and new mothers
  • Geographic areas where demand for services is greatest and where there are disparities in provision and access to services, compared to other regions in England.
  • Marginalised groups, such as ethnic minority groups including Gypsy Roma and Traveller communities, and LGBTQ+ communities.

Please note, organisations and groups are encouraged to apply even if their proposed work does not meet some or any of the criteria above, provided their project meets the strategic objectives of the fund and they can make a convincing case of the need for funding.

Commenting, Professor Sir Louis Appleby National Advisor on the Suicide Prevention Strategy said:

“Charities play a critical role in preventing suicide and today’s launch of the grant fund will support their vital work. Given the pressures facing the sector, I hope all eligible organisations will consider bidding for funding.”

The deadline for application is 23:55 on 1 October 2023.

(This report was the subject of a GRANTfinder Newsflash.)