Racialised perspectives in suicide prevention

Today we launch Amplifying Voices: Racialised Perspectives in Suicide Prevention. It describes the lived experiences, insights, and reflections of racialised people working in suicide prevention. Voices that have been overlooked and underrepresented for too long in suicide prevention.

The report is written by members of an NSPA Learning and Collaboration Space. The NSPA convened and supported the group as part of a pilot working with communities who are marginalised in suicide prevention.

Insights from the report

The report summarises themes that came from group discussions during the Learning & Collaboration Space sessions. Themes included the strength of global majority perspectives, the invisibility of racialised communities in suicide prevention, the impact of systemic racism and the wider global context, and the power of self-care.

There are three recommendations for change to make suicide prevention more inclusive of racialised communities:

1. Acknowledge shortcomings. Genuine and honest acknowledgment of the invisibility of racialised communities in suicide prevention is needed to support lasting and transformative change.

2. Amplify our racialised voices and lived and living experience expertise. We need greater diversity in lived and living experience involvement and co-production spaces.

3. Move beyond white-led, output driven approaches. Outcome and out-put driven approaches to suicide prevention prevent real, meaningful engagement, particularly for racialised communities.

NSPA response

The NSPA fully supports the reflections and recommendations of the report. It is an opportunity for all of us working in suicide prevention to reflect and listen. We can, and should, take action towards a more inclusive and equitable future.

You can also read the NSPA’s response to the report in a blog from our Exec Lead, Rosie Ellis and our Lived Experience Network Manager, Jess Worner.

We are keen to hear members’ reflections and ideas to improve how the suicide prevention community can better include racialised people. To discuss further get in touch with us by emailing info@nspa.org.uk.