Background
In September 2022 COSLA and the Scottish Government published Creating Hope Together a 10-year outcomes focused strategy and initial 3 year action plan on suicide prevention. Creating Hope Together sets out a vision to reduce the number of suicide deaths in Scotland, whilst tackling the inequalities which contribute to suicide. It seeks to ensure that any child, young person or adult who has thoughts of taking their own life, or are affected by suicide, gets the help they need and feel a sense of hope. The action plan is wide ranging and clearly identifies actions which are relevant to children and young people across all its outcomes. This includes actions on:
- Access to means
- Media reporting
- Learning and building capacity
- Supporting a compassionate response
- Data, evidence and planning
The action plan is delivered through Suicide Prevention Scotland. This delivery collective comprises Strategic Outcome Leads who lead on the work of each of the four long term outcomes. These lead organisations are:
- Samaritans – Outcome 1
- SAMH – Outcome 2
- Penumbra and Change Mental Health – Outcome 3
- Public Health Scotland - Outcome 4
There also a number of delivery and implementation leads who lead on the delivery of each action. This includes a delivery lead within COSLA who leads the work on suicide prevention for children and young people.
Year One Update (23-34)
The Creating Hope Together year one delivery plan (23-24) set out a key priority to build more understanding of suicide risk and behaviour amongst children and young people and use this to improve responses. Three key areas of activity fed into this work:
- The Suicide Prevention Scotland Academic Advisory Group carried out a systematic review of effective interventions
- A scoping exercise was undertaken to gather views from young people, practitioners, and parents/carers
- Continued engagement with the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) and Participation Network (PN) to gain further insight and sense check the findings
The below Insight Report draws together and sets out themes and opportunities for action through the Creating Hope Together – Year 2 Delivery plan (2024-26).
Where to find help
If you're dealing with suicidal thoughts or thinking about self-harm, it's important to know that you're not alone. Help is available when you're feeling low – you do not have to hurt yourself or suffer in silence. If you're in crisis or struggling to cope, reach out to one of the services below.
In an emergency, dial 999.
Services available 24/7:
NHS 24 Mental Health Hub. The 111 service provides urgent mental health assessment and support 24/7.
Phone: 111
Samaritans. A helpline for anyone feeling low or considering suicide.
Phone: 116 123
Childline. A service for young people under 19 struggling with mental health issues, or any other problem.
Phone: 0800 1111
Webchat: www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger. A 24/7 text messaging service for young people in crisis.
Text: Text YM to 85258
Services available at other times can be found at NHS inform
Resources