Working together to save lives: Surrey’s Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025–2030 launched

Surrey is committed to reducing the number of lives lost to suicide and has launched the new Suicide Prevention Strategy on World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) to set out how we will work towards achieving this reduction over the next 5 years.   

The 2025 to 2030 Surrey strategy was revised to reflect the launch of a new National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023 to 2028) and has undergone extensive and wide engagement. 

Prevention, early intervention and learning are central elements of this strategy, which sets out key actions to be taken across the Surrey system to prevent suicide and ensure we target groups where we see higher rates of suicide. It also includes how we will support those who have been bereaved by suicide – key to suicide prevention is also giving people with lived experience a safe space to share their experience.  

Governance is led by the Surrey Suicide Prevention Strategy Partnership Board which includes Surrey County Council, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Surrey Police, Surrey Heartlands ICB, Frimley ICB, South East Coast Ambulance, Voluntary Community Sector and representation from the Boroughs and Districts. 

The delivery of the strategy requires multi-agency leadership. A robust multi-agency implementation plan has been developed to ensure traction and accountability to reset how suicide prevention is developed and embedded across Surrey.  

Suicide prevention is everyone’s business. The Surrey health system, social care providers, educational settings and local communities are all encouraged to review the actions in the strategy and take accountability for the areas that they lead on.   

Councillor Mark Nuti, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Health Partnerships said: “Every suicide is a tragedy that deeply affects families and communities. This strategy recognises the complexity behind suicide and the shared responsibility we all have in prevention.  By working together, we can reduce the risk and ensure people bereaved by suicide receive the support they need.“

Lourdes Colclough – Head of Suicide Prevention, Rethink Mental Illness said: “We know that for every life lost to suicide 135 people are affected and that those bereaved can be 6 times more likely to take their lives.  In the current economic environment, the need for support after suicide services, working with partners, gathering data, referring, and signposting effectively has never been more relevant.  Surrey’s suicide prevention strategy puts prevention at the centre of communities with the key message – suicide prevention is everyone’s business”. 

With the publication of this Surrey Suicide Prevention Strategy, it is important that suicide prevention is embedded in:   

• Local planning departments decision making process. 

• Transport planning and services.   

• Organisational policies.    

• Economic workstreams.    

• Strategies and workstreams across the health, social care and education system.  

• All frontline health and community services.   

• The education system starting from primary school to university.   

• All communities.   

• All faith settings.  

The Surrey Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025 to 2030 is available to read on Healthy Surrey: Surrey Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025 to 2030 | Healthy Surrey