Briefing Paper
Welsh Government’s Understanding Suicide Prevention and Self Harm Reduction Strategy
Published in April 2025, the understanding Suicide Prevention and Self-harm Reduction Strategy sets out the Welsh Governments ambition to create a more compassionate, holistic, and person-centred approach to supporting people who self-harm, and to those affected by self-harm and suicide. The strategy aims to reduce suicide and self-harm rates among children and young people by addressing the underlying causes and risk factors, enhancing support systems, and promoting early intervention. The overarching vision for the strategy is to create communities in Wales free from the stigma associated with suicide and self-harm, enabling individuals to feel empowered and supported to seek help when needed and ensure people who self-harm, have suicide ideation or have attempted suicide feel understood and safe. With those who need it the most, having access to support and services which meet their needs, where and when they need it. Understanding is the principle upon which the strategy is built and its success in achieving the vision for Wales set out by the Welsh Government. To realise this vision, the strategy notes that suicide prevention and self-harm reduction is everybody’s business. There is a focus on at-risk groups and prevention, where there is a no wrong door approach to seeking support.Policy and service delivery will reflect the voices of those with lived experience and promote a person-centred approach. The strategy encompasses six key objectives which set out to ensure there is a robust evidence base, co-ordinated cross-government and cross-sectoral actions, rapid and impactful prevention, intervention, and support, enhancing skills, awareness and understanding, appropriate and compassionate responses and responsible communication. These objectives set out to: -