#ZeroSuicideLDN campaign sees 465,000 Londoners play their part in looking out for others

Since launching the #ZeroSuicideLDN campaign in 2019, more than 465,000 Londoners have completed free suicide prevention training, gaining the skills to have life-saving conversations.

On World Suicide Prevention Day 2025, in an email to Londoners from the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, reminded readers about the ‘need to keep checking in on each other’.

The Mayor also took the time to promote the Zero Suicide Alliance’s free virtual train-a-thon. A recording of the training is now available to watch back online.

Developed by the Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA), the free, online training takes around 30 minutes to complete and is designed to show how to have a direct and honest conversation about suicide and mental health with friends and family. The training also helps to break the stigma of talking about mental health, suicidal thoughts and bereavement.

Commenting on the training webinars, the ZSA said: “Nearly 1,500 registered to take part in this year’s virtual event, and we’re incredibly grateful for the thoughtful feedback we’ve received, especially the kind words about our inspirational guest speakers.”

Additionally, the ZSA has also teamed up with R;pple Suicide Prevention to launch a free, practical guide designed to help individuals, employers, and educators talk about suicide with greater confidence and care.

Titled How to Talk About Suicide: Making Every Word Matter, the guide brings together lived experience insights and expert contributions from some of the UK’s leading suicide prevention charities. It aims to break down barriers to conversation, reduce stigma, and offer clear, emotionally intelligent advice for those navigating difficult discussions.

Elsewhere, London’s NHS and partners set out their vision of how people across the capital can access mental health care and support as part of their 10-year mental health strategy. Which included mention of the #ZeroSuicideLDN campaign.

The London Mental Health Strategy puts prevention at the heart of London’s mental health system with the vision to enable communities to live well by providing a clear and consistent service offer across the London footprint.

To find out more about these resources and the suicide prevention training, visit the #ZeroSuicideLDN campaign webpage.

Further information and support

If you’re concerned about your mental health, your GP is always a good place to start. If you feel very distressed and can’t wait, or feel unable to keep yourself safe, there is more immediate help available:

• Find NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression near you. If you need urgent help for your mental health, call 111 or visit NHS 111 online.

• Samaritans. To talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – call 116 123.

• Shout. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help. If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258.

• Call 999 if your life or someone else is at imminent risk.