Written question WQ86046

We expect to receive the findings following the independent evaluation of both our suicide and self-harm prevention strategy, Talk to Me too, and Together for Mental Health, in the coming weeks. These findings, along with a range of other evidence and information including Public Health Scotland’s report on suicide in young people, will be used to inform our successor strategies.

We are committed to suicide prevention with additional funding being targeted in 2022-23 to further strengthen our approach. This includes establishing a Real Time Suicide Surveillance System in Wales with Public Health Wales, the NHS and the Police. The new system will provide quicker access to information to help prevent future suicides but also to ensure appropriate support is offered to those bereaved by suicide.

In September 2019 we published ‘Responding to issues of self-harm and thoughts of suicide in young people - guidance for teachers, professionals, volunteers and youth services’. Building on this we have commissioned Swansea University to explore issues of cyberbullying and the links with online expressions of suicide and self harm. Work has involved extensive consultation with children and young people to produce a cyberbullying ‘toolkit’ to support young people and teachers.

Over the next 12 to 18 months there is a commitment to engage further with children and young people to identify and develop resources for ongoing support so that we maximise our efforts to meet the needs of young people in this vital area.