Havering Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2030 Consultation

We carried out a consultation between 10 September and 18 October 2024 to seek views on Havering’s draft Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2030.

The draft strategy aims to improve the success of suicide prevention activities within Havering that lead to a reduction in the number of deaths by suicide, and focuses on:

• Identifying those at increased risk and applying the most effective, evidence-based interventions.
• Promoting prevention activities across the system, including increasing knowledge and reducing stigma.
• Providing support at both individual and population levels, addressing the needs of those at risk of suicide and the bereaved.

66 responses were received to the online consultation.  To ensure the strategy addresses both its role in primary care and the needs of all age groups, focus groups were conducted with Primary Care Networks, the Havering Youth Council and schools. Our engagement sought specific feedback from these key stakeholders to bridge gaps in support.

• 56% of responses were from Havering residents with 14% having lived experience of suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempts.
• An overwhelming 97% of respondents expressed support for the Havering Suicide Prevention Strategy, its priorities and its objectives.
• Key concerns raised included the need for greater inclusion of specific populations, such as autistic and neurodivergent individuals.
• Respondents also called for improved crisis and bereavement support services and pathways, alongside improvements in mental health services.
• Additionally, many suggested strengthening the strategy’s focus on children and young people, particularly around the life-course and self-harm to create a more comprehensive “all-age” approach.
• Accessibility and inclusivity were also areas requiring further attention.

Havering's Cabinet met on 12 March 2025 and agreed the Havering Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2030. As a direct result of feedback, we now have a strengthened action plan that:

• Assigns clear responsibilities to the Steering Group, membership of which includes stakeholders identified through consultation feedback; e.g. professionals working with autistic and neurodivergent individuals, mental health services, bereavement services, housing services, education representatives and more.
• Improves the all-age, life-course approach, with targeted improvements to the children and young people’s section through curriculum reviews, resilience resources, training for staff and parents and inclusion of youth voices in materials distributed and Strategy.
• Commits to reviewing bereavement support in Havering to identify gaps and make recommendations to improve access to suicide-specific services.
• Strengthens public awareness and communication, including the launch of bi-annual webpage updates and improved and accessible signage in community spaces (GP practices, libraries, etc.).
• Expands suicide prevention training across key sections, including primary care, schools, mental health services (NELFT) and frontline professionals.
• Establishes a Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) to ensure those with lived experience play a central role in shaping and reviewing suicide prevention work in Havering.

We also made changes to the Strategy content itself, strengthening:

• The scope of the Strategy, including clarity of the role of public health.
• Attention areas (e.g., self-harm, digital exclusion, etc.).
• Certain groups (e.g., autistic and/or neurodivergent individuals, etc.).
• Certain risk factors (e.g., comorbidities, wider determinants of health, etc.).
• Life-course approach and the children and young people section.
• Crisis support.
• Prevention .

Please see the full Public Document Pack Here which includes the consultation report, a suicide prevention needs assessment and an equalities and health impact assessment.