Why do we let our young people die by suicide?

A thread prompted by a recent tragedy

I have waited one week to write this thread. I was hoping that it would be more measured. Less hostile. More balanced.

Everyone involved in mental healthcare understands that there are some people being let down by services. Often in their teens and early twenties. Given a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. Often self-harming and expressing suicidal ideas.

Too often dismissed as ‘frequent flyers’. ‘Attention-seeking’.

Deemed undeserving of even the most basic level of care.

According to official suicide statistics, there is a peak in the rate of completed suicides during the 3 weeks following treatment in hospital.

This has been recognised for several years. Yet no action taken.

@INQUEST_ORG have been doing a great job of documenting many of these cases and highlighting the shocking lack of care in some Trusts.

It would be straightforward to draw up a list of problematic Trusts where these problems seem to be endemic.

There are endless debates about best treatment for people with BPD expressing suicidal thoughts. But starting point must surely be to acknowledge that there is a problem worthy of attention and that anyone in distress deserves some care and compassion.

The fact that these kinds of cases repeat with shocking regularity, without this prompting our professionals to take action, is searing indictment of mental health services in UK and of professionals organisations and individuals entrusted with running these services.

We all know the problem. We all understand the issues.

When will someone in the NHS or @rcpsych show some real leadership and have the courage and determination to do something about this?