National charity helps schools save lives

Leading suicide prevention charity launches a new set of free resources to help schools and colleges deliver lessons in life. 

Based on a powerful, award-winning animation made for PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide), the ‘Sinking Feeling School Resource’ explores loneliness and isolation. It also considers the importance of peer support in helping children and young people who are struggling with life.  

The launch follows DfE guidance that states schools in England will be required to teach suicide prevention by September 2026.

The resources are also particularly timely, following the publication of suicide figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). At the start of this term, ONS released data that shows suicides in higher education averaged around 160 per year, between August 2016 and July 2023. 

PAPYRUS says the new resources will support school staff to tackle difficult subjects in a positive and supportive way. 

Commenting on the resources

The charity’s chief executive, Ged Flynn, says the resources are built on a solid foundation. “Schools offer unparalleled reach to our children and over the coming months they will need to begin to embed suicide prevention within their priorities,” he explains.

“We know from working closely with schools that many staff recognise the importance of addressing mental health, emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. However, without sufficient background knowledge and an understanding of the complexities, they can find it challenging and daunting to deliver.

“The new resources will enhance our charity’s offer to schools, helping to remove some of the obstacles to having helpful, supportive conversations so our children and young people will begin to understand what they are feeling, know they are not alone and how to get the professional help they need and deserve.”               

The resources are tailored to be delivered in an age-appropriate way to students from Year 6 to Year 13. Included in the pack is lesson plans, PowerPoint slides and printable resources. 

The free-of-charge resources will initially be offered in England, with rollout across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales expected in 2026.

For more details about what the licence will include and to register click here.