As a young gay man growing up in the 80s and 90s, homophobia was a staple part of daily life and it inevitably impacted my sense of self and confidence. That said, I was optimistic and hopeful about my future.
Sadly, recent statistics tell a different story for many. We are making great strides in talking about mental health but data from Papyrus shows that more than 200 young people die by suicide every year and on average more than five young people take their lives each day. And while the suicide rate in under 20s is low compared with older age groups, figures from the Office for National Statistics show rates across England, in all age groups under 25, have been increasing over the last decade.
The latest figures show that increase in rates is now levelling off, but we still have a long way to go to tackle the silence and stigma which play an enormous part in preventing people from getting help.
Suicide is preventable through education and intervention, and providing the right support and environment in further education is an integral part of suicide prevention. Young people spend a large part of their waking hours at college, and ensuring they benefit from a safe, calm and supportive learning environment with early, targeted support for those who need it must be part of a whole college approach to promoting health and wellbeing.
