Cumbria has some of the highest suicide rates in England and Wales, with over five people dying by suicide each month – more than double the number of road deaths.
Every Life Matters is hosting its first Suicide Prevention Conference on April 3 at Rheged, near Penrith.
The one-day event aims to equip participants with life-saving skills and resources to be active participants in suicide prevention and to help create a Suicide Safer Cumbria.
The conference is aimed at anyone in the local community, from employers, schools, the public sector, and health services to third and faith sectors, sports clubs, and interested individuals.
The conference will feature a line-up of experts in the field of suicide prevention, including:
- Colin Cox, director of public health and communities for Cumberland Council
- Lindsay Graham, advocacy director at People First Independent Advocacy
- Nina Smith, Churchill Fellowship: Suicide Prevention & PhD Researcher, Edge Hill University
- Emma Shakespeare, wellbeing manager at AtkinsRealis
- Katrina Stephens, director of public health, Westmorland and Furness Council
The event will also offer practical workshops led by the Every Life Matters training team.
Topics will cover crucial aspects of suicide prevention, including suicide alertness, understanding self-harm, suicide bereavement, neurodiversity and safety planning, suicide safer schools and many more.
Every Life Matters said: “Suicide really is everyone’s business. Everyone has a role to play in creating a society where suicide is openly talked about, where people feel able to seek help when all feels lost, and are properly supported when they do reach out.
“We encourage all individuals, organisations, sectors, schools, and businesses to come together and act now to help build a zero-suicide society.”
Tickets are £95 for the private sector and £75 for charity, community, and public sectors. Lunch and refreshments are included.
All profits from the conference will be invested back into suicide prevention and suicide bereavement activities in Cumbria.
To book your ticket, visit https://www.every-life-matters.org.uk/suicide-prevention-conference-2025/
