James' Place sign lease on North East centre

PRESS RELEASE

MALE SUICIDE CHARITY CONFIRMS LOCATION OF NEW CENTRE IN NORTH EAST AHEAD OF WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY

Male suicide charity James’ Place has signed the lease on their new centre which will be based on Summerhill Street in Newcastle city centre and open in early 2024.

James’ Place offers free, life-saving treatment to men in suicidal crisis, currently at two centres, one in Liverpool and one in London. Men typically receive six to eight face-to-face sessions with a trained professional therapist in a safe, friendly, non-clinical environment. The treatment is proven to work – with men experiencing a clinically, and statistically significant, positive change following treatment, including reduced levels of psychological distress.

Ellen O’Donoghue, Chief Executive of James’ Place said: “The North East has the highest rate of suicide in England so we want to be able to offer our free, life-saving treatment to men in the region as soon as possible. Thanks to some very generous donations we are now able to accelerate our plans to open a James’ Place centre in Newcastle and are delighted to have signed the lease on the building on Summerhill Street which will be open in early 2024. We’ve been working closely with NHS services, voluntary organisations and universities in the North East so that when we launch the centre, we will be able to reach the men who need us immediately. We have received an overwhelmingly positive response.”

Samantha Allen, chief executive of the NHS’s North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: “Suicide remains the leading cause of death in men under 50 and access to support in crisis can make a big difference, put simply it can be lifesaving.  I am delighted James’ Place are opening a centre in Newcastle and that their support will be available to men here in the North East.”

James’ Place has treated over 1,500 suicidal men since 2018, delivering over 7,500 therapy sessions. The men they see are in crisis largely driven by life events, such as a relationship breakdown, financial problems, or bereavement. Following the launch of the Newcastle centre, the charity aims to open two more centres in England by the end of 2026 as part of a £10 million fundraising appeal. The charity is funded by charitable donations.

James’ Place is currently recruiting for Suicide Prevention Therapists to join their team. More information here.