National Suicide Prevention Advisory Group Annual Report 2023/2024

6. Conclusion

“The NSPAG has been a powerful thing to be a member of. I have found our discussions formed by expert experience, data and research expertise available particularly powerful, and also the direct service experience of other members. It has been a real privilege to meet all those involved.” Cath Denholm, NSPAG member

As Scotland’s new National Suicide Prevention Advisory Group, we have a specific responsibility to provide an independent and impartial written annual report to the Scottish Government and COSLA on progress of the delivery of Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Strategy 2022-2032: Creating Hope Together.

This NSPAG Annual Report 2023/24 is our first annual report and as such we have set out the background to our work and examples of how over the course of the last year, we have discharged another of our responsibilities – to provide independent and impartial advice to those directly involved in implementing the suicide prevention strategy.

Progress over 2023/24 on delivering the suicide prevention strategy has understandably and commendably focussed on establishing connections and building a strong collaborative framework at the heart of the Suicide Prevention Scotland delivery collective. It has been clear to us that the leadership and partnership culture modelled at all levels between Scottish Government, COSLA, the National Delivery Lead, the Strategic Outcome Leads and their social/third and public sector delivery partners is positive and inclusive.

The vision of the Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Strategy 2022-2032 to both reduce the number of suicide deaths in Scotland whilst also tackling the inequalities which contribute to suicide is hugely – and rightly – ambitious. It is also urgent and challenging when the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic persist and are compounded by the continuing cost of living crisis which so deeply and inequitably affects those who are in turn placed most at risk of suicide.

The advice we have given throughout our first year as Scotland’s National Suicide Prevention Advisory Group, together with the advice and recommendations set out in this, our Annual Report 2023/24, are intended to be our own contribution to the collective efforts of all those whose passion it is to prevent lives in Scotland being lost to suicide, and to save individuals, families and communities from the devasting tragedy each suicide brings.

National Suicide Prevention Advisory Group

Scotland

August 2024