British Prime Minister Theresa May announced that Health Minister, Jackie Doyle-Price was appointed as the first Minister for Suicide Prevention, as part of a 1.8 million pounds ($ 2.4 million) pledge to reduce the number of people who commit suicide.

This took place yesterday, October 9, 2018, as representatives from 50 countries attended the first Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit in London, as part of International Mental Health Awareness week.

About 4,500 people in England commit suicide every year, which according to PM May is a “national scandal”. Suicide rates rose by 67% between 2010 and 2017 among teenagers, and suicide remains the leading cause of death for males under 45.