Grenfell Tower: ‘Twenty suicide attempts’ since fire

At least 20 survivors and witnesses of the Grenfell Tower fire have attempted suicide, a charity has said.

Silence of Suicide founder Yvette Greenway told the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme the number was based on conversations with those supporting residents.

Justice4Grenfell’s Judy Bolton also said volunteers working with survivors had told her of 20 suicide attempts.

The BBC has been unable to independently verify the figure.

Chelsea and Kensington Council has not yet responded to a request for comment.

‘Alcohol dependency’

Ms Greenway said many residents were unable to get images of the burning tower “out of their minds”.

“There is a lot of alcohol and drug dependency,” she said. “People are feeling isolated.”

Ms Greenway said there was little confidence in “council-led” mental health services.

“We’ve been told workers are going around putting leaflets under hotel doors and not actually speaking to people,” she said.

Source: Grenfell Tower: ‘Twenty suicide attempts’ since fire – BBC News