The government launched the first national strategy aimed at preventing suicides yesterday.

The plan, which aims to cut the number of people taking their lives by at least 20 per cent within eight years, targets young men, prisoners, farmers and other high risk groups.

Forum Response: SANE

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of SANE, told ePolitix.com: "It is not just in prison and hospital that people are taking their lives -far too many are doing so in the first few days and weeks after discharge from hospital when they are most at risk.

In a survey of more than 10,000 people who contacted SANE's national helpline SANELINE mentioning a history of mental illness and suicidal intentions, 83 per cent had consulted their psychiatrist, doctor or other professional within the previous four weeks. Too many severely ill and depressed people are left unsupported and isolated in the community, with no form of follow-up or consistent care and nowhere to turn."

Forum Brief: The Depression Alliance

A spokeswoman for the Depression Alliance told ePolitix.com: "Whilst we welcome the government's pledge to reduce suicide we have already heard many empty promises about making mental health a priority. As the leading UK charity for depression we have not as yet been consulted about the National Strategy for suicide prevention and have recently found out that the government will not be supporting our self-help group and self-management programmes which are vital in the prevention of suicide and support of depressed people.

"A Depression Alliance survey last year revealed that many suicidal patients blamed GPs and the government for not doing enough to help them in their hour of need. As well as the need to provide better training for GPs and other health professionals, respondents felt the government could do more by offering better education about depression (17 per cent) and doing more to reduce the stigma associated with it (15 per cent).

"The government must work alongside organisations like ours. We fill in the gaps in service provision in a cost effective way, informed by the experiences of people affected by depression, many of who have attempted suicide. We know why many people commit suicide and we know how to prevent it. What we need from the government is support to make it happen, not more empty words."