Petition · past parliament
Change ‘cause of death by suicide’ to ‘cause of death mental illness’
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
To remove the stigma of suicide.
When someone who is suffering from a mental illness and they end their life it’s classed as suicide. This leaves loved ones feeling like they could have done more to prevent it and therefore can lead to more mental illness. Change it to death by mental illness
When someone who is suffering from a mental illness and they end their life it’s classed as suicide. This leaves loved ones feeling like they could have done more to prevent it and therefore can lead to more mental illness. Change it to death by mental illness
People who suffer with mental illness are not in control of their minds. They act and do irrational things. If someone with a mental illness commits a crime it can be deemed as diminished responsibility, as they are not in their right mind.
If someone kills themselves when suffering with mental illness it’s classed as suicide. Mental illness is a disease, just like cancer. I want the stigma of suicide removed from society and have it changed to Death by mental illness.
If someone kills themselves when suffering with mental illness it’s classed as suicide. Mental illness is a disease, just like cancer. I want the stigma of suicide removed from society and have it changed to Death by mental illness.
Why it was rejected
It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.
We can't accept your petition because it's about something that the UK Government or Parliament is not responsible for.
How to record cause of death is a decision for a doctor or, where there is an inquest, a coroner. Guidance on how to record cause of death is given to coroners by the Chief Coroner. They are independent of the UK Government and Parliament.
You can find more about the Chief Coroner and their role here:
https://www.judiciary.uk/related-offices-and-bodies/office-chief-coroner/
You could start a new petition calling on the UK Government or Parliament to start a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the role of mental illness in suicide if that is something you would like to see happen.
How to record cause of death is a decision for a doctor or, where there is an inquest, a coroner. Guidance on how to record cause of death is given to coroners by the Chief Coroner. They are independent of the UK Government and Parliament.
You can find more about the Chief Coroner and their role here:
https://www.judiciary.uk/related-offices-and-bodies/office-chief-coroner/
You could start a new petition calling on the UK Government or Parliament to start a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the role of mental illness in suicide if that is something you would like to see happen.
Timeline
| 22 Feb 2019 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 6 Mar 2019 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Rejected
Rejected
6 Mar 2019
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.