The Samaritans has launched a manifesto calling for tougher action to tackle suicide
Politicians must ensure that mental health is treated as seriously as physical health on the NHS, an anti-suicide charity has said.
The Samaritans has also said the government needs to do more to tackle alcohol misuse in order to reduce the number of UK suicides, which have risen to 6,000 a year.
The calls come within the group's general election manifesto, which makes a plea for wider measures to reduce suicides.
The charity also wants a local suicide prevention plan in every local authority area and says its helpline should be free to callers.
“Certain groups are more vulnerable to suicide and more resources need to be concentrated on trying to help them – male suicides are at their highest since 2001, and men are more than three times more likely than women to kill themselves,” said Joe Ferns, Samaritans’ executive director of policy and research.
The government needs to show clearly that it considers mental and physical health as equally important - Joe Ferns
“Research shows that social deprivation also plays a major part in suicide risk, and alcohol misuse, poverty, and unemployment are also factors.
“The government needs to show clearly that it considers mental and physical health as equally important.”
Suicide prevention plans, which make the most of resources, encourage the sharing of information and target support where it is most needed, should be rolled out across all communities, he added.
This is especially an issue in England where around 30% of local authorities do not have them at the moment says the charity.
“We need to remove any barrier to people being able to get the help they need, when and where they need it," said Ferns.
He added: “Samaritans is committed to making its telephone service free to everyone but we need the new government to join us in that commitment.”
Professor Keith Hawton, of the Centre for Suicide Research at Oxford University said: “Giving effective support to people who are vulnerable to suicide is crucial, especially as the latest figures have shown a rise, particularly amongst middle aged men.”
“Anything that makes services more accessible, such as making the Samaritans’ helpline free to callers, is a step forward in reaching people who are struggling to cope and could make all the difference to them.”
