News, North East and Cumbria
Three fathers who each lost a daughter to suicide said their campaign for awareness to be taught in schools was “so close” to being implemented.
Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen called on the government to make lessons on dealing with suicidal thoughts and how to get help, a compulsory part of the national curriculum.
The fathers, known, as the 3 Dads Walking, met Sir Keir Starmer and Education Secretary Bridgett Phillipson on Tuesday and Mr Airey, from Morland in Cumbria, said there was “potential for change” in schools.
Sir Keir told the dads their courage to try to help other people’s children was “really inspiring” and that he was taking their campaign seriously.
Mr Airey, Mr Palmer from Sale in Greater Manchester and Mr Owen from Shouldham in Norfolk, have raised awareness through a series of walks in memory of their daughters Sophie, Beth and Emily.
After the meeting Sir Keir Starmer said: “I am humbled by what you are able to do, I have to say as a dad with two kids, I don’t know that I could do what you are doing, to be perfectly honest.
“But it is really inspiring and courageous and that desire to make change for other people, many of whom you will never meet, you will never know and who will be spared, we hope, the pain that you and your families have been through, is an incredible thing.”
Sir Keir told them that inviting them to Number 10 showed how seriously he was taking their campaign and that the conversation was “ongoing”.
The dads have been working with governments for the past three and a half years.
Their petition sparked a parliamentary debate on the subject and they met the former PM Rishi Sunak.
Mr Airey said at times it had felt like he was “bashing my head against a brick wall”.
“It does feel now that we are absolutely engaged in that conversation and are moving things forward,” he said.
Mr Owen said getting a change in policy was like trying to move a “supertanker” but they would not give up.
Mr Palmer said: “I think the government’s really starting to get it now – we need to invest in our young people, that’s our future, keeping them safe.”
PapyrusThe dads said they believed their daughters, Sophie, Beth and Emily might not have taken their own lives if they had known where to turn to for support.
Mr Owen said they had been working with academics who had seen suicide prevention lessons delivered in schools in the US and Australia.
“It works and apparently when you talk to the Americans they are amazed at how far behind we are,” he said.
‘Only the beginning’
Mr Airey said after so much discussion and research, it was time to act.
“We are getting so close to something actually happening – so we’ll keep pushing,” he said.
“You know what it’s been like with us, it’s just that focus on, biggest killer, biggest risk to young people, why don’t we talk to them about it?
“All we’ve done is ask that same question, time after time after time after time and we’ve got to a point where there’s the potential of the change coming forward in the curriculum.
“But that’s not the end, that’s actually only the beginning.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised you can visit the ‘s Action Line pages, or contact Papyrus or Samaritans.
