Londoners sign up to suicide prevention scheme backed by the Mayor of London

More than a quarter of a million Londoners have signed up to a scheme backed by the Mayor of London that provides free suicide prevention training.

Provided by Thrive LDN and the Zero Suicide Alliance, the free training teaches people how to identify warning signs and feel more comfortable having conversations about suicide.

More than 270,000 people in London have now completed the training in London according to Sadiq Khan, who revealed the figure in response to a question from Labour London Assembly Member Dr Onkar Sahota.

The Mayor of London has said he is “proud” of all those who have completed the training and has encouraged more Londoners to take part.

He said: “The pandemic has introduced and exacerbated numerous risk factors around suicide, not least through social isolation, financial uncertainty and traumatic, sudden bereavement.

“Our energies must continue to be focused on our shared aspiration to end stigma and make London a zero-suicide city.”

Dr Sahota, who requested the figures has said it is “vital we continue to open up the conversation on mental health and understand how to identify warning signs that someone is struggling”.

He said: “While it’s great so many have signed up, I am appealing to all Londoners to please do the same. It only takes 20 minutes, and it could make all the difference to someone in need.”

Friday saw London mark the first ever Great Mental Health Day, a City Hall-backed scheme organised by councils across London that aims to promote good moods and start conversations about mental health.

As part of Great Mental Health Day, events and activities will be hosted across London as well as online, such as yoga, meditation and self-care workshops.