10/09/2026
This is more than sad. Its terrifying that services and support for young people continues to be reduced by underfunding.
We're so sad to hear that PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Su***de, the youth su***de prevention charity, has gone into administration. Papyrus has been a beloved organisational member of the Society for many years and has been a support for some of us on a personal level too.
For nearly 30 years they've done extraordinary work to prevent young su***de across the UK. But it's HOPELINE247 that so many of us will remember them for, which was a free, confidential, round-the-clock helpline, staffed by people who would sit with a young person in their hardest moments, and which the NHS and CAMHS teams referred to when they couldn't offer that support themselves.
The impact they must have had over the years is impossible to quantify.
Sadly, we know that Papyrus isn't alone in having to shut their doors in the current climate. We're actively engaging with our members on exactly this at the moment, so we know in detail just how hard things are right now; how precarious funding is, and how many organisations are struggling to keep going. Heartbreakingly, this isn't the first charity we've seen close its doors these past couple of years. Often, third sector services are being asked to support statutory services, but are provided little to no state funding to do so.
The people who relied on these services still need that support. It doesn't disappear when the funding does. And we can't keep watching the number of places offering mental health support dwindle - so what's got to change?
But in the meantime, to everyone at Papyrus: thank you for the hope you gave to so many young people and their families.
If you're struggling right now, please know support is still there. You can reach Samaritans any time on 116 123, text SHOUT to 85258, or contact NHS 111 for urgent mental health support. Or you can find a counsellor on our directory: https://buff.ly/CtALUDi
