Revisiting our suicide prevention work: still vital today
This week, we are highlighting our work on suicide prevention, a topic once again in the headlines as concerns are raised around autistic people, farmers, and emergency service personnel. Community-specific suicide prevention is essential because risk factors vary across groups. Tailored approaches make interventions more accessible, culturally relevant, and effective.
Recent reports demonstrate that:
- Autistic people face higher suicide risk due to delayed diagnosis, stigma, and poor support. A Bournemouth University study calls for faster diagnosis and autism-informed mental health care.
- The Police Federation reports over 100 officer deaths and 200 attempts from 2022–2025, linking many to misconduct investigations. Their plan urges mandatory reporting, limits on investigations, work-related recognition, coronial reforms, and full Police Covenant funding.
- Farming charities say that UK farmers are facing a mental health crisis, with rising suicide rates and worsening wellbeing. Initiatives like Yellow Wellies’ Mind Your Head Week and youth-led initiatives provide training, raise awareness, and connect rural communities to vital support.
Our Talking Faith in Suicide Prevention toolkit, part of our work in the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance, helps faith and community leaders and frontline professionals to support people in faith communities. It covers why faith matters, eight key themes including compassion, community, and bereavement practices. The resource is a primer for faith-informed, culturally aware conversations about suicide prevention and postvention with adults and is intended for general guidance.
The toolkit was developed in collaboration with the Royal Borough of Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster City Council, as part of a wider project looking at suicide prevention and faith and belief.
