Inaugural Suicide Prevention Conference taking place in April at the Rheged

Every Life Matters are hosting their inaugural Suicide Prevention Conference on the 3rd of April at Penrith at Rheged.

Cumbria has some of the highest suicide rates in England and Wales, with over five people dying by suicide each month—more than double the number of road deaths. To reduce these stubbornly high rates in the county and encourage societal change, everyone must get involved.

In response to this urgent need, Every Life Matters is hosting its first Suicide Prevention Conference on April 3rd, 2025, at the Rheged Centre in Penrith. This one-day event aims to equip participants with life-saving skills and resources to be active participants in suicide prevention and to help create a Suicide Safer Cumbria. The conference is aimed at anyone in the local community, from employers, schools, the public sector, and health services to our third and faith sectors, sports clubs, and interested individuals.

The conference will feature a powerful lineup of experts in the field of suicide prevention, including:

Colin Cox, Director of Public Health and Communities for Cumberland Council

Lindsay Graham, Advocacy Director at People First Independent Advocacy

Nina Smith, Churchill Fellowship: Suicide Prevention & PhD Researcher, Edge Hill University

Emma Shakespeare, Wellbeing Manager at AtkinsRealis

Katrina Stephens, Director of Public Health, Westmorland and Furness

More to be confirmed

Alongside these experts, the event will offer practical workshops led by the Every Life Matters Training Team. Topics will cover crucial aspects of suicide prevention, from Suicide Alertness to Understanding Self-harm and Suicide Bereavement, to Neurodiversity and Safety Planning, Suicide Safer Schools, Suicide Pre- and Postvention in the Workplace and many more.

Suicide really is everyone’s business. Everyone has a role to play in creating a society where suicide is openly talked about, where people feel able to seek help when all feels lost, and are properly supported when they do reach out.

The charity encourages all individuals, organisations, sectors, schools, and businesses to come together and act now to help build a zero-suicide society.

Ticket prices are £95 for the Private Sector and £75 for Charity, Community, and Public Sectors (lunch and refreshments included).

All profits from the conference will be invested back into suicide prevention and suicide bereavement activities in Cumbria.

Additional Info at: Suicide Prevention Conference 2025 - Every Life Matters