Improve NHS mental health funding or more children will die by suicide, says coroner

A prevention of future deaths report is sent to Steve Barclay after Allison Aules, 12, took her own life

A coroner has warned the health secretary that preventable child suicides are likely to increase unless the government provides more funding to mental health services.

Nadia Persaud, the east London area coroner, told Steve Barclay that the suicide of Allison Aules, 12, in July 2022 highlighted the risk of similar deaths “unless action is taken”.