Life-Saving Centre Opens to Prevent Male Suicides in the North East
Innovative male suicide charity James’ Place has opened a new centre today offering free, life-saving treatment to suicidal men in the North East. Suicide is the single leading cause of death for men under 50 and the North East has the highest rate of suicide in England.
The charity already offers therapy to men, and those who identify as male, at centres in London and Liverpool, having treated over 1,800 men to date. The men who come to James’ Place are in suicidal crisis largely driven by life events, such as a relationship breakdown, financial problems, or bereavement. The charity offers an intervention at the point of crisis, with professional therapists getting quickly to the heart of a man’s suicidal crisis and helping him to solve it. Independent evaluation carried out by lead researcher Dr Pooja Saini at Liverpool John Moores University shows that men who receive treatment at James’ Place experience a clinically and statistically significant positive change in their mental wellbeing following their treatment and reduced levels of psychological distress.
The Newcastle centre has been open for referrals from local NHS crisis teams since late last year but is now available to all suicidal men in the region. Men can self-refer or be referred to the centre by a professional including those working in health and community services, or by a friend or family member. The centre has no waiting list, and will typically see men for an initial assessment within two working days. Following assessment men receive six to eight face-to-face sessions of talking therapy with a trained professional therapist in a safe, friendly, non-clinical environment. James’ Place works alongside the NHS and other local support services, taking on clinical responsibility for the men they treat.
Ellen O’Donoghue, Chief Executive of James’ Place said: “We are really delighted to open a third centre in Newcastle. James’ Place is unique because our service is proven to work, quick to access and delivered in warm and welcoming centres by a highly trained clinical team. We know our work saves lives, and that what we offer isn’t available anywhere else. It’s essential that support is there for people when they need it most, and we are pleased to have assembled a brilliant team in Newcastle to help suicidal men across the North East.”
John Younger, Head of James’ Place Newcastle said: “We know that there are suicidal men all over the North East who need help but can’t always find it, so we’re really pleased to be able to offer them our free, life-saving therapy at our fantastic new centre in Newcastle. We would urge any men in the North East who have intense, repetitive and distressing suicidal thoughts, and plans to act on these thoughts, to reach out to us as soon as possible. You can also contact us if you are worried about someone else.”
Richie, who received help from James’ Place in Liverpool after a suicide attempt said: “I had therapy at James’ Place for around 7 weeks. My therapist really helped me, they made me see things in a completely different way and I really got to the bottom of where some of my issues and beliefs came from. For the first time in my life I started to believe that I had a real future ahead of me. I have so much more confidence and self-belief that I recently applied for and got a big promotion at work. I’m so glad I was referred to James’ Place, it really has been life-changing for me.”
Following the launch of the Newcastle centre, the charity aims to open two additional centres in England by 2026 as part of a £10 million fundraising appeal. With five centres across the country the charity aims to treat 2,000 men a year and half the male population of England will be within two hours of a James’ Place.
The centre is open Monday-Friday 9.30-5.30 by appointment only. To access support from James’ Place, make a referral or find out more visit www.jamesplace.org.uk.
