Creating Hope Together: suicide prevention strategy 2022 to 2032

The difference we want to achieve – our long term outcomes

Outcomes are the changes we want to see as a result of this strategy. These include changes in: knowledge, awareness, skills, practice, behaviour, social action, and decision making. Outcomes fall along a continuum from short term, through intermediate, to long term^[2].

The outcomes approach builds in evaluation from the start, so that the effectiveness of the strategy (and its component parts) can be measured.

Work has commenced on developing our outcomes framework and we will publish it, with indicators, shortly after publication of this strategy. The outcomes framework will demonstrate how the actions in the action plan will achieve the long term outcomes which are set out below.

Over the lifetime of this strategy, we will continue to use the outcomes framework to prioritise our actions and investment so that we maximise our impact in reducing suicide deaths in Scotland. As with all outcome frameworks it will evolve over time in light of new and emerging intelligence, research, evidence, and / or societal changes.

Long term outcomes to deliver the vision

To achieve the vision we must deliver across these long term outcomes. Together these outcomes will affect change across our society, services, communities, and individual experiences.

• Outcome 1: The environment we live in promotes conditions which protect against suicide risk – this includes our psychological, social, cultural, economic and physical environment.
• Outcome 2: Our communities have a clear understanding of suicide, risk factors and its prevention – so that people and organisations are more able to respond in helpful and informed ways when they, or others, need support.
• Outcome 3: Everyone affected by suicide is able to access high quality, compassionate, appropriate and timely support – which promotes wellbeing and recovery. This applies to all children, young people and adults who experience suicidal thoughts and behaviour, anyone who cares for them, and anyone affected by suicide in other ways.
• Outcome 4*: Our approach to suicide prevention is well planned and delivered, through close collaboration between national, local and sectoral partners. Our work is designed with lived experience insight, practice, data, research and intelligence. We improve our approach through regular monitoring, evaluation and review.

* We recognise this is an enabling outcome to the other 3 outcomes. Whilst technically a process, rather than societal outcome, we consider it is critical to achieving the vision.

In delivering the suicide prevention outcomes we will also be contributing to Scotland’s National Outcomes, which are set out in Scotland’s National Performance Framework. Suicide prevention outcomes will contribute specifically to National Outcomes for:

• Children & young people
• Health
• Communities
• Poverty
• Human rights