If U Care Share co-founder Shirley Smith has said the North East is "left behind" when it comes to suicide prevention, as the region continues to have the highest suicide rate in England. In 2024, there were 15.1 deaths by suicide per 100,000 people in the North East, almost double London's rate of 8.1.
Warm words but little action
Mrs Smith, who lost her son Daniel in 2005, said that while there has been progress in suicide prevention over the past 21 years, she does not believe the situation is better than it was in 2005. She attributed the high suicide rate to the North East being "left out" of investment and decision-making, despite promises of "levelling up".
"Unfortunately we know there is so much demand for support. We are always last in the North East. We are often not part of the discussions and we deserve to be, we deserve the same level of investment, and we need there to be jobs," she said.
Charity's origins and impact
If U Care Share began after Daniel's death, when his siblings and cousin sold wristbands with the phrase, raising £50,000. The charity became registered in 2011, growing from a spare room in Chester-le-Street. It continues to offer suicide prevention and postvention support to families across the North East.
Mrs Smith remains a member of the Government's suicide prevention advisory group, and the charity advocates for improvements in local and national policy.
Pressure on services
Mrs Smith said mental health services are under extreme pressure, leaving If U Care Share to "hold the line" in many cases. She noted that the charity relies on fundraising, making this role particularly challenging.
"What we see now is that with the pressure on services, they're on their knees. Has it improved for people? No. At least we are there to back up services, to hold the line," she said. "We get referrals through from places like crisis services, the police. They want to do the right thing, but they just don't have the means."
Recognition and hopes for the future
Mrs Smith was speaking after receiving an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours list. She dedicated the award to her son Daniel and all loved ones who left too soon, thanking the staff, trustees, volunteers, fundraisers, and families who supported the charity.
Looking ahead, she expressed hope that If U Care Share's postvention work would no longer be needed. "The main thing we want to do is more prevention. My biggest wish is that we would be able to see a world where we don't need to do postvention," she said.
