Overview
This programme commenced in September 2002 following the launch of the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England to support the target to reduce the death rate from suicide and undetermined injury by at least 20 per cent by 2010. The strategy sets out a coordinated set of activities that continue to be taken forward and has evolved as new priorities and new evidence on prevention emerge. Implementation of the strategy is being taken forward by the National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU) in collaboration with a wide range of organisations and individuals.
Latest News
New Horizons launched on 7 December announced that a refresh of the
national suicide prevention strategy for England would take place over the
next few months. The refresh will be developed by the National Suicide
Prevention Strategy Advisory Group (NSPSAG) under the chairmanship of theNational Clinical Director for Mental Health, Professor Louis Appleby.
Professor Appleby said:
"The strategy has always been meant to evolve over time in light of
progress made and emerging evidence or changing circumstances. It is
important, therefore, that we respond to the changing demographics of our
society and also the current economic circumstances. We need to build on
the progress we have made since the strategy was launched in 2002 and
respond to the needs and risks in different groups and strengthen our links
with partner organisations, including equivalent groups across the United
Kingdom."
Toolkit Revision Published
A revision of Preventing Suicide: A toolkit for mental health service has been published. The toolkit, originally published in 2003, has been amended to reflect recent policy changes and has had input from key stakeholders, service users, carers and experts
Download Preventing Suicide: A toolkit for mental health services
Download the Toolkit Standards
Download the Toolkit Audit tool
Download the Toolkit`s Ward Manager Checklist
The target is to reduce the death rate from a baseline of 9.2 deaths per 100,000 population in 1995/6/7 to 7.3 deaths per 100,000 population in 2009/10/11. The latest available data (for the 3 years 2006/7/8) show a rate of 7.8 deaths per 100,000 population - a reduction of 15.2 per cent from the baseline.
Visit the brand new Resources page to download the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England
Latest News
Mental ill-health and suicide risk amongst Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Gender people (LGBT)
As part of the suicide prevention programme the NMHDU have commissioned PACE to undertake a review of the range of web-based information, support and advice services for LGBT people in delivering promotive and preventative services and measures leading to an improvement in the mental health and well-being of LGBT individuals. This review will also include scoping how mental health and other support services work with LGBT people, including data collection and monitoring.
Download a copy of the letter to SHA leads regarding PACE
The national suicide prevention annual report of progress in 2008 was published on 10 July
The report highlights progress made on a number of specific initiatives during 2008 as well as outlining some key issues for 2009. The suicide rate continues to fall and is now the lowest rate on record. In addition, there has bee a further fall in the rate of suicide amongst young men under the age of 35. There has also been a further reduction in suicides amongst mental health in-patients and in prisons. We cannot afford to be complacent however. Previously periods of high unemployment or severe economic problems have had an adverse effect on the mental health of the population and have been associated with higher rates of suicide. PCTs and other front-line agencies are aware of the situation and continue to identify and support vulnerable individuals who are at risk. .
Download the annual report 2008
