Suicide prevention charity launches pioneering online care service

A leading suicide prevention charity has launched a digital service to provide online care plans for vulnerable young people across the UK.

PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide says the unique two-way safety plan is simple to set up, secure and will help to save lives.

HOPELINK allows young people to work confidentially with professional suicide prevention advisers, empowering them to create, adapt and amend their own care plans.  

Previously advisers have been able to discuss steps which help to keep someone safe but were unable to send follow-up emails or texts because of confidentiality.

Kelly Thorpe, Head of Helpline Services at PAPYRUS, says the two-way care plan was designed by young people, for young people.

She said: “What makes it pioneering and unique is that this is the first service of its kind in suicide prevention which is led by the user.

“It is accessible, user-friendly and totally confidential, allowing vulnerable young people to create their own safety plan in which they write down and store whatever it is that helps to keep them safe when they have thoughts of suicide.

“It offers a prompt, a reminder of what they’ve agreed to do or who the right people are to speak to, offering vital information and written support which they can access at any time.”

Advisers do not take any personal or contact details from the service user. They simply give them two randomly generated words to be able to access their safety plan.

Users can access without an adviser, and the two-way safety plan is entirely online, meaning it can be accessed 24/7.

Kelly added: “This service is now available to all our callers, some of whom require extra ongoing support.

“This is an important new digital tool which enables us to guide the user. At PAPYRUS we will hold their hands at first, help them to start off and then they’ll take over, creating their own online safety plans which they can adapt and amend during their journey.”

The two-way care plan was created and developed by the digital agency earthware Ltd.

Brian Norman, Founder and Chief Technology Officer at earthware, says that the technology solution has the power to change lives.

He said: “When you hear that suicide is the biggest killer of young people, it’s impossible not to be shocked and saddened. 

“We’re really pleased to have come up with such an elegant solution to a very challenging and sensitive healthcare problem; one that has potential uses for a wide range of confidential patient interactions.

“We wish PAPYRUS every success as they launch the online support plan as part of HOPELINK.  We’re sure that it will help their fantastic team save even more young lives.”

Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in the UK. PAPYRUS aims to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by breaking down the stigma around suicide and equipping people with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.

Help and support

HOPELINEUK is the charity’s confidential helpline service providing practical advice and support to young people with thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned about a young person who may have thoughts of suicide.

HOPELINEUK is staffed by trained professionals, offering a telephone, text and email service.

For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org

For more details about the online HOPELINK service, visit:

• https://papyrus-uk.org/?page_id=88317