Suicide prevention strategy and action plan: consultation analysis

Priority Areas

We recognise that to help reach the proposed outcomes, we will need to prioritise which aspects of the strategy to focus on first. We suggested the priority areas below, which are based on the areas identified by stakeholders through our extensive early engagement. These key areas form the focus of this first action plan.

We Asked

We asked for views on four Priority Areas, for the new Suicide Prevention Strategy:

• Priority Area 1: Build a whole of Government and whole society approach to address the social determinants which have the greatest link to suicide risk.
• Priority Area 2: Strengthen Scotland's awareness and responsiveness to suicide and suicidal behaviour.
• Priority Area 3: Promote & provide effective, timely, compassionate support - that promotes recovery.
• Priority Area 4: Promote a co-ordinated, collaborative and integrated approach.

You Said

There were 201 responses to this section of the consultation. The table below shows how people responded to questions relating to the priority areas we outlined.

Due to rounding, the total of some of these figures may add to 99%, rather than the expected 100%

Over 90% of respondents consistently agreed with each of the priority areas we had outlined. In the corresponding comments the following points were highlighted:

• The need to consider realistic timescales.
• Some respondents asked for the inclusion of KPIs or another way of measuring and monitoring impact.
• A recognition of the conflicting demands already being placed on our health and social care services, of which suicide prevention is only one.
• If the purpose of the strategy is to address some of the societal issues which contribute to suicide, those responsible policy areas need to be explicitly referenced in this section.
• The need to capture the important role of employers and workplace given the impact work related stress can have on people.
• A call to prioritise the needs of children and young people. This quote highlights the point: "We know too many young people and their families are not getting the timely support they need. For example, more must be done as a matter of urgency to equip school staff with the skills and resources to support young people in crisis, raise awareness of suicide and to better respond following a suicide".
• The importance of effective support being given to people who are suicidal, to support their immediate wellbeing as well as recovery.

We Did

We listened to what people said about the priorities. It was clear there was a lot of agreement with the priority areas, and so there was only one material change which was to include wellbeing under the third priority. The feedback has also resulted in other changes across the strategy and action plan; such as, the feedback on role of employers and being explicit about the policy areas which will lead actions to tackle the societal issues which are risk factors for suicide.

• Priority Area 1: Build a whole of Government and whole society approach to address the social determinants which have the greatest link to suicide risk
• Priority Area 2: Strengthen Scotland's awareness and responsiveness to suicide and people who are suicidal
• Priority Area 3: Promote & provide effective, timely, compassionate support – that promotes wellbeing and recovery
• Priority Area 4: Embed a coordinated, collaborative, and integrated approach