Local strategy development
The 2025-2030 Lambeth Suicide Prevention Strategy was developed through evaluating the previous strategy, engaging with stakeholders including the local community, and aligning with the national strategy where relevant.
We have focused on key risk groups and targeted actions set out in the national suicide prevention strategy which are relevant to the Lambeth population. We have supplemented this with activities and target groups identified through assessing the local evidence base and engaging with the local population.
Through evaluating the progress against the 2022-2025 Suicide Prevention Strategy, we identified activities which worked effectively and could be brought into the new strategy. We also identify areas where more work was needed and should be a focus of the 2025-2030 strategy.
We engaged with the local community throughout the development of the strategy. We worked with VCS and statutory organisations who work directly with those with lived experience of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or bereavement by suicide. Through membership in the Suicide Prevention Partnership Group, we have worked alongside our stakeholders over the past year to develop this Strategy. This has ensured that the voice of those with lived experience has been fundamental to the development and delivery of this work. Some of the issues raised included a lack of awareness of available suicide prevention training, integrating services across the system, and the limitations of the current lack of data around suicide and self-harm. These have been incorporated within the priority areas for action outlined below.
To supplement this ongoing engagement, we also conducted a public consultation on the strategy to gather feedback directly from the community. Feedback included: prioritising victims of domestic abuse/VAWG; prioritising people with Autism as a key high-risk group; working more closely with NHS colleagues; addressing gender disparities more explicitly; considering environmental interventions at high-risk locations; clarifying implementation details.