National suicide strategy sets out plan to cut deaths in at-risk groups

In particular, ministers want to prevent deaths among middle-aged men (who have had the highest suicide rates of any age group since 2010), pregnant women and new mothers, children and young people, and autistic people.

Provisional data suggests 5,275 people died by suicide in 2022, a rate of around 11 per 100,000 people. The strategy doesn’t quantify the level of reduction the government is seeking, but states that key objectives are to:

• reduce the suicide rate over the next 5 years – with initial reductions observed within half this time or sooner

• improve support for people who have self-harmed

• improve support for people bereaved by suicide.

Around 100 actions, led by various government departments, the NHS and voluntary sector, are set out to tackle suicide risk factors such as gambling, drug and alcohol addiction, social isolation, domestic abuse and the influence of social media.

Key initiatives or commitments for the NHS include:

• ensuring that patients receive good-quality follow-up support within 72 hours of being discharged from inpatient mental health settings

• improving the quality and culture of inpatient services

• establishing a clearer national picture on suicides by children, young people and autistic adults, to inform future policy

• inviting charities and voluntary organisations to bid for money from a new £10m grant fund over the next two years to deliver suicide prevention services

Encouragingly, the strategy’s action plan also confirms plans for NHS England to work with the Royal College of GPs to develop new guidance for doctors on the six-to-eight-week-postnatal check. We called for improvements to the check after our research found that many women weren’t asked about their mental health when being seen by GPs after giving birth. (Our calls also influenced the national maternity plan published earlier this year).

Separate plans for improving mental health services more widely, including community care, will be covered in the Major Conditions Strategy, due out in full next year.