Response to development of a new suicide prevention strategy for Scotland
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 19th November 2021

The ALLIANCE has submitted a response to the Scottish Government's questionnaire on the development of a new suicide prevention strategy.
The ALLIANCE welcomes the opportunity to respond to the development of the new Suicide Prevention Strategy for Scotland (this link will take you away from our website).
We have now published our response, drawing on our research and feedback from our members. The ALLIANCE recommends that the following priorities should be at the heart of the new Suicide Prevention Strategy for Scotland:
- Service provision for mental health and suicide prevention needs to be broad, ranging from preventative and recovery services to critical support.
- Eligibility criteria and long waiting lists are significant barriers to people being able to access mental health support at the right time; these issues need to be addressed, particularly within the proposed service redesign in the National Care Service, but also in wider policy work and strategies.
- Third sector organisations should be valued and sustainably funded, as one of the key providers of support for people considering or who have survived suicide, and people affected by suicide.
- Health and social care staff at all levels should be trained in supported (not substitute) decisions making, mental health and suicide prevention awareness training, and in trauma informed and human rights based approaches.
- Any system to provide mental health and suicide prevention services should be co-produced with people with lived experience of mental health problems and their families.
End of page.
You may also like:
The MyCare app will be available in the App Store and Play Store from Tuesday 17 June 2026.
Continue readingMulti-year funding was at the centre of the Scottish Parliament debate on a Third Sector Partnership Agreement
Continue readingApply for this highly regarded leadership development offer from Leading to Change and PSD Scotland.
Continue readingThe Self Management Programme is changing to focus on the Fund, share learning, and support better health and wellbeing in Scotland.
Continue readingTogethers' new training and consultancy offers are now live.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE joins 54 signatories in calling for accessible news and equal access to information for all.
Continue readingRead the full response to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) Code of Practice
Continue readingA new app from the Scottish Association for Supported Employment (SUSE) for helping people stay well in work
Continue readingFree self management and wellbeing resource for everyone helping young people with their wellbeing.
Continue readingThe date for this year's DiGiTal Get Together has been announced
Continue readingWe have published our conference report from our annual conference Hope to Action as we look to the future and the work still to be done.
Continue readingNew guidance supports Audiology services to design and develop clinical peer review schemes to support quality assurance.
Continue readingRegister for this paid Advisory Panel opportunity
Continue readingTake a short survey to share your experiences
Continue readingLearn about this new way NDCS are supporting families.
Continue readingBooking is now open for Peer Connect events across 2026/27.
Continue readingShare your experiences of accessing and using NHS Lothian services by survey or focus group.
Continue readingNew appointments for Màiri McAllan, Alison Thewliss, Maree Todd and Simita Kumar.
Continue readingSign up to participate in this co-design study
Continue readingPatient groups, patients and carers are invited to share their views.
Continue readingThe letter urges honesty on the financial challenges facing Scotland, and progressing reforms to council tax.
Continue reading#TryAToolTuesday raises awareness of free and trusted apps and resources that help people improve and manage their health and wellbeing.
Continue readingAn exciting opportunity to support DES in meeting its strategic aims.
Continue readingALLIANCE consultation response calls for clearer guidance, sustained investment and local support to make carers' breaks a reality.
Continue readingThe letter also calls on the Scottish Government to appoint a dedicated Cabinet Secretary for Human Rights.
Continue reading