SAMH welcomes Scotland’s new suicide prevention strategy

29th September 2022

The Scottish Government and COSLA has today (Thursday 29 September 2022) published a new 10-year suicide prevention strategy for Scotland, which aims to tackle the factors and inequalities that can lead to suicide. 

Commenting on the strategy launch, Billy Watson, Chief Executive of SAMH said:  

“SAMH welcomes Scotland’s new long-term suicide prevention strategy, ‘Creating Hope Together’, published by the Scottish Government and COSLA today.   

“SAMH contributed extensively to the consultation which has influenced the new strategy. As a founding member of the national leadership group on suicide prevention on the previous action plan, we have actively delivered many aspects of the national effort including: the inclusion of people with lived experience, national campaigns tackling stigma, the social movement United to Prevent Suicide and research into at risk populations.   

“As an organisation we believe suicide is preventable and have committed to do more than we have ever done to help save lives. This new national strategy is an important part of how we all work together as we believe suicide prevention is everyone’s business. It is important that we take a whole society approach to suicide prevention and we are pleased to see this reflected in the plan to influence policy making on issues across government, including employment and housing. 

“We are particularly pleased that this strategy is a 10-year commitment, which we believe is vital to deliver an ambitious plan that saves lives being lost to suicide.   There is still so much more to do and that will require further strong financial commitment. 

“SAMH look forward to working with the Scottish Government, COSLA, partners, and importantly, people with lived experience, to help achieve this ambition.”