Life-saving suicide prevention centre James' Place to expand to three new cities

A trailblazing suicide prevention centre, first piloted in Liverpool in 2018, has announced its expanding its services to three new cities.

James' Place was set up by the family of James Wentworth-Stanley, after his death by suicide at the age of just 21.

The centre's model sees free counselling and therapy delivered to men in a crisis.

They typically receive six to eight face to face sessions with a trained professional therapist in a welcoming environment in a non-clinical setting.

After setting up a twin hub in London, it's been revealed that services will now be expanded to support men in Bristol, Birmingham and Newcastle Gateshead by 2026.

Evidence the service works

Independent research carried out by lead researcher Dr Pooja Saini at Liverpool John Moores University shows that the James’ Place treatment model reduces suicidality in men and makes a life-changing difference to individuals, their families, their communities and the wider system.

• The research shows that on average men who have attended James’ Place Liverpool between 2018-2021 experienced a clinically and statistically significant positive change in their mental wellbeing following their treatment and reduced levels of psychological distress.
• These men were no longer considered to be in suicidal crisis due to a reduction in thoughts around suicide, plans and intention to act on suicidal thoughts, and risk-taking behaviour.
• The research also showed there was a statistically significant reduction in feelings of entrapment, a key indicator of psychological distress.

£10m fundraising drive for new centres

Ellen O’Donoghue, Chief Executive of James’ Place said: “We know that our model works and our aim is that by 2026 half the male population in England will be able to access our life-saving services.

"The men we see feel that their death by suicide is the answer to the problems that they’re facing. We’ve helped over 1,200 men to date with our short and focused one to one therapy and are determined to reach more men that desperately need our help.

"Suicide is the leading cause of death of men under 50 and we want to change that. Over the next three years we aim to raise £10 million to enable us to open new centres in Birmingham, Bristol and Newcastle Gateshead with the aim of treating up to 2,000 men a year once at full capacity.”

The charity is currently connecting with local stakeholders in each of the chosen cities and exploring locations with a view to opening the next centre in Spring 2024.

Anyone who would like to know more about how they can get involved can contact James’ Place by emailing info@jamesplace.org.uk

Visit James' Place's website for more information about the service, or signposting to support if you need help or advice

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