Britain’s prime minister has appointed a suicide prevention minister as part of a national effort to reduce the number of people who take their own lives.

Theresa May named Jackie Doyle-Price to the newly created post as representatives of 50 countries gathered in London on Wednesday for a mental health summit.

She also pledged 1.8 million pounds to ensure the Samaritans charity can continue to offer a free counselling hotline. Some 4,500 people take their lives every year in England.

The Campaign Against Living Miserably, dedicated to preventing male suicide, described the appointment as groundbreaking.