National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG): fourth annual report

NSPLG Academic Advisory Group (AAG)

Since 2019 our NSPLG Academic Advisory Group (AAG) has provided expertise, advice, research evidence, evaluation methodology and much more to support delivery of the Suicide Prevention Action Plan (SPAP). The AAG has conducted rapid systematic reviews, provided research inputs, supported development of more timely data on suicide (prioritised during the COVID-19 pandemic), and advised on indicators, data, data collection, survey development, data analysis and evaluation.

In relation to Scotland’s new Suicide Prevention Strategy - Creating Hope Together, members of the AAG and Public Health Scotland (PHS), have made significant contributions to the development of an outcomes-focused approach to suicide prevention, underpinned by the Integrated Motivational-Volitional Model^[ii] of Suicidal Behaviour (IMV) which has also shaped the NSPLG’s work on the SPAP. The AAG is currently working on the outcomes framework to be used to monitor progress of the strategy against short-, medium- and long-term outcomes.

The AAG is co-chaired by Professor Rory O ’Connor (University of Glasgow) and Emeritus Professor Steve Platt (University of Edinburgh), who also act as advisers to the NSPLG and attend its meetings. Originally, the AAG comprised its co-chairs and invited academic colleagues with invaluable expertise in research and policy relating to suicidal behaviour and in evaluation design. Since January 2020, the Scottish Government has funded academic work to support delivery of the SPAP by experienced researchers Dr Tiago Zortea, Ms Heather McClelland, Ms Marianne Etherson and Ms Krystyna Loney employed at the University of Glasgow’s Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory.

The creation of the AAG and its evolution in support of the NSPLG have been innovative. Rather than adopting the model typically used in national suicide prevention programmes, that of commissioning research and evaluation from external contractors, direct access through the AAG to relevant research and evaluation knowledge and expertise has reduced unnecessary delay and made more efficient use of resources. The AAG’s influential contribution to supporting both delivery of the SPAP over the last four years and development of the new suicide prevention strategy is recognised in the commitment that “… academic research will continue to be a cornerstone of the refreshed NSPLG”^[iii].