Government responds to concerns raised in Suicide Prevention Strategy meeting

Civil servants told the meeting political members weren't invited, but couldn't reveal why

The Cabinet Office minister has responded to concerns raised at a meeting which saw government set out how they intend to tackle suicide on the Isle of Man.

At the Suicide Prevention Strategy, there were no government ministers or heads of department present - something audience members labelled 'telling'.

Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover attended and told Manx Radio he hopes his political colleagues would get behind the strategy to see it implemented quickly.

Manx Radio's Christian Jones spoke to Minister Kate Lord-Brennan to understand why members weren't invited:

Government's statement to Manx Radio in full:

"The Suicide prevention strategy launch held at Keyll Daree yesterday had a carefully targeted audience of identified community stakeholders.

"Given the sensitive nature of the topic, the aim was to introduce the strategy to members of the media, colleagues and some of the charities or groups identified during strategy's development – including the suicide prevention network and bereaved survivors of suicides.

"No Tynwald members were invited to the event in a political capacity. 

"The Island's first suicide prevention strategy has been published by Public Health and is supported by Council of Ministers, and has been published and laid before Tynwald at the March 2023 sitting.

"This focused event was the first in a series of targeted introductions to different audiences, which will include a public awareness raising campaign and further engagement with support groups."