London Borough of Barnet

Our work in suicide prevention

Barnet’s Suicide Prevention Strategy 2021-25 was approved by Health and Well-being Board in July 2021. The partnership delivering the strategy is multi-agency and multi-disciplinary reflecting the complexity of suicidal behaviour. The strategy has eight key action areas responding to the negative impact of the pandemic and increased cost of living on mental well-being and other risk factors including financial difficulties, bereavement, social isolation and loneliness and domestic violence. The partnership ran a particularly strong suicide prevention campaign, led by public health, which focused on reducing lives lost to suicide in working-age men.

For the three months of the campaign, no suspected suicides were recorded in the Real Time Surveillance System (RTSS), with only a slow increase in numbers since. Through our Resilient Schools Programme a significant amount of work with schools in raising awareness of suicide and self-harm and mechanisms for signposting to relevant services has taken place. A range of training programmes delivered in partnership with Papyrus, Grassroots and other organisations.

Our current priorities

Barnet’s refreshed strategy aligns with the priorities of the forthcoming National Suicide Prevention Plan, focusing on a range of targeted actions. Key initiatives include an ongoing emphasis on supporting men in male-dominated industries and outreach efforts to high-risk groups such as Eastern European and Jewish communities.

To enhance awareness and skills, Zero Suicide Alliance training will be promoted through lunch-and-learn sessions, featuring video screenings followed by discussions. A targeted digital campaign will encourage the use of the Stay Alive app, while peer-to-peer support for men will be facilitated through Andy’s Man Club. Mental health and suicide prevention service pathways will be strengthened, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the homeless, asylum seekers, and refugees.

Efforts will also include expanding the Expert by Experience network and piloting a peer-champion scheme for young people. Schools will play a pivotal role, with initiatives like “Wise Before the Event” training for secondary schools, ensuring all schools have a Youth Mental Health First Aider and staff trained in suicide prevention. The Generation Verified Film will explore the digital world’s impact on young people’s mental health. Finally, Barnet will develop multiple suicide response plans to ensure a comprehensive and responsive approach.

Our current challenges

The ongoing impact of COVID-19 and the cost of living crisis has significantly affected mental health across various sectors. Frontline staff are facing increased pressure, as they must support individuals with complex needs exacerbated by the cost of living crisis while managing their own financial challenges. Small voluntary groups and faith organisations, essential community resources, often lack the capacity to prioritise suicide prevention amidst these broader struggles.

In schools, the focus on recovering lost learning due to the pandemic has intensified, placing additional strain on both staff and students. Compounding these issues, the pervasive influence of social media continues to shape mental health outcomes, adding another layer of complexity to an already challenging landscape.