Suicide Minister slammed for joke
THE minister appointed by Theresa May to oversee suicide prevention efforts once joked about throwing herself off a cliff, it has emerged.
Jackie Doyle-Price told a local newspaper that she would “sooner jump off Beachy Head” than join the Eurosceptic party Ukip.
The comment was branded “inappropriate” and “unacceptable” by a senior Labour spokesman.
Among the Thurrock MP’s responsibilities as minister for suicide prevention will be to try to end the stigma which prevents people from seeking help.
Ms Doyle-Price spoke to the Thurrock Gazette in 2014 to deny rumours that she might follow Clacton MP Douglas Carswell in defecting to Ukip.
She said then: “I would sooner jump off Beachy Head than join Ukip.
“I am a Conservative. I have never run away from a fight and I am not going to start now. The stakes are too high.”
Around 20 people a year kill themselves by throwing themselves from the chalk cliffs at Beachy Head in East Sussex, and patrols are carried out in the area in the hope of dissuading people from jumping.
Asked about Ms Doyle-Price’s comments, a senior Labour spokesman said: “Any comment which increases stigma or disrespect or lack of understanding for mental health issues – in particular in this case mental health issues and suicide – is obviously completely inappropriate.
“These kinds of comments are unacceptable.”
A Downing Street source said he was not aware of the comments, but added: “There is a serious job she will be taking forward in this very important new position.
“She will have access to some of the nearly £12 billion that we already spend on mental health in this country and will want to ensure that services improve further to make sure that people in vulnerable situations get the support they need.”
The controversy over her 2014 remark has overshadowed the news of Ms DoylePrice’s appointment as what is thought to be the world’s first minister for suicide prevention, announced by Theresa May on World Mental Health Day yesterday.
Around 4,500 people take their lives every year in England and suicide remains the leading cause of death among men under the age of 45.
The Prime Minister has also pledged up to £1.8 million to ensure the Samaritans’ helpline remains free for the next four years, to help those most in need.
Labour said a focus on suicide prevention was “long overdue” and warned that a lack of funding had forced people to wait months for treatment in some areas.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the suicide rate it at its lowest for seven years, although each is a tragic but “preventable” death.
“We need to do more to challenge the stigma that people with mental ill-health face and make sure they feel they can reach out for help,” he said.