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About Us – The Life Matters

At The Life Matters, we are dedicated to supporting children and young people struggling with self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Every day, far too many young lives are affected, and we believe no child should feel alone in their pain.

Why We Exist
The reality is alarming:

• 1 in 7 children aged 10–19 have engaged in self-harming behaviors.

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15–19-year-olds globally.

• Children who self-harm are at significantly higher risk of long-term mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior.

These numbers represent real children—friends, classmates, and neighbours—who need hope, understanding, and support.

Our Mission
We aim to save lives by providing early intervention, raising awareness, and offering emotional support to children, families, schools, and professionals. Through education, advocacy, and direct care, we work to prevent self-harm and suicide before it occurs.

What We Do

Direct 1:1 Support
We provide one-to-one intervention directly from the charity, offering confidential support to children and young people in crisis. Our trained team helps children develop coping strategies, resilience, and hope for the future.

Training for Schools and Professionals

• 1:1 Targeted Intervention Training: Schools and professionals are equipped to deliver personalised support to children who need it most.

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Training: Professionals are trained to confidently identify and respond to signs of self-harm and suicidal behavior.

• Children’s Mental Health Ambassadors: We empower children to become peer supporters and advocates for mental health in their schools.

• Whole-School Approach: We provide ready-made 10-week lesson plans for PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education), designed to promote emotional literacy, resilience, and wellbeing across the whole school community.

By combining direct support with training and a whole-school strategy, we create safer, more understanding environments where children feel seen, heard, and valued.

Our Commitment
At The Life Matters, every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and heard. We are committed to building a world where seeking help is a sign of strength and where no child feels that suicide is the only option.

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