Norfolk & Waveney Sustainability and Transformation Partnership

Our work in suicide prevention

Norfolk & Waveney STP actions detailed here relate to the multi-agency suicide prevention strategy and action plan for Norfolk, for detail of actions in Suffolk see ‘Suffolk Lives Matter’.

Norfolk & Waveney STP is committed to reducing suicide and provides oversight and leadership for the implementation of our ‘I am (really not) okay’ strategy.  Implementation of the strategy is led by ‘The Norfolk Suicide Prevention Implementation Group’, members of the group lead action on suicide preventions within their own agencies/organisations in Norfolk. Progress of the strategy is reported through both ‘STP Prevention’ and ‘Mental Health’ Boards.

The Norfolk Suicide Prevention Strategy and action plan aims to protect communities and individuals from harm caused by suicide and suicidal behaviour, directing joint responses to the specific drivers of suicide in Norfolk- addressing poverty, low self- esteem and rural isolation. We also undertake suicide audits to provide an understanding of the evidence base including the people it affects and the agencies that could help.

Suicide is not inevitable, and preventing it is everyone’s responsibility. The government Mental Health Five Year Forward View set the ambition to reduce the number of deaths from suicide by 10% from 2016-2021. Norfolk has adopted this target with a view to reducing the suicide rate further in later years.  No one agency can achieve this alone, and our strategy outlines how we will work together to meet this target. Suffolk County Council are also leading similar suicide prevention plans which cover the Waveney area.

Taking into account the complexity of influences which prompt individuals to take their lives, we are confident that together we can prevent suicide, reduce stigma and promote wellbeing in Norfolk and Waveney.

Our work in suicide prevention

Our current priorities focus on reducing suicide risks in high-risk groups, tailoring approaches to improve mental health, reducing access to means of suicide, supporting those bereaved by suicide, enhancing research and data sharing, promoting responsible media reporting, and addressing self-harm as a key indicator of suicide risk.

Key actions include developing training frameworks, providing frontline staff guidance, improving discharge processes, enhancing psychiatric liaison services, and embedding suicide prevention in workplace health. We are also promoting mental health through targeted campaigns, especially for men in high-risk occupations, and improving support for vulnerable groups, including children, young people, and survivors of abuse.

We aim to strengthen resources for bereaved families, improve data sharing, conduct focused research (e.g., on veterans and female released prisoners), and standardise suicide data collection. Media engagement focuses on responsible reporting and awareness campaigns, while actions to reduce self-harm are integrated into our updated plan.

Our current challenges

Suicide is an important public health issue and a priority for Norfolk, given our relatively high local rate (12.4 suicides per 100,000 people), which is higher than the national average. Norfolk & Waveney STP covers a large rural and coastal area and covers two County Council areas, which presents challenges for providing consistent services and preventative interventions.

One provider provides mental health services in both counties but Norfolk and Suffolk and the service provider currently have separate suicide prevention strategies.  However, all partners are committed to working together to share resources and align vision and benefits.

Partnerships are well supported and the voluntary and community sector has an important role to play in preventative work but further work is needed to increase social action and responsibility and not just be reliant upon health, social care and education.