Confronting racism is essential to our suicide prevention efforts

“The NSPA unequivocally condemns racism”

Last week was distressing for many of us as we witnessed extreme violence across the country. The NSPA condemns racism and religious discrimination. Preventing suicide requires us all to work together through inclusion, collaboration and collective action. To ensure that fewer lives are lost to suicide and that anyone affected receives the best possible support, we must confront and dismantle discrimination, inequity, and the structural barriers that impact people’s lives. This includes racism. 

Reflections from the NSPA community

We invited our members to share their reflections on recent events and the impact these have had on the demand for their services. We understand that not everyone was able to respond, and we know it’s not possible to capture the full spectrum of our members’ experiences here.  

To our members – thank you. Please continue sharing your reflections with us at any time. We will honour all contributions and use them to guide our work. 

From those members who reached out, we heard how the events had impacted their work:  

– Some services had to close earlier due to the unrest, with people fearful of going to and from work.  

– Some organisations provided information to help the people they support understand what was happening and to ensure they felt safe.  

We also heard reflections from members about the impact of racism on feelings of safety and belonging:  

– The use of derogatory language and racial slurs is a source of deep pain and trauma. Last week’s events were also retraumatising for people who remembered experiences of racial violence in the past. 

– Exclusion due to ongoing cultural and ideological hate leads to an increased sense of insecurity. This exclusion is not just about being left out, it’s about being actively pushed to the margins of society, impacting mental health and wellbeing.  

– The fight for recognition and equality is not new, but it has been made even more pressing by the current climate of fear and division. 

I ask that we not be shy in speaking up and using words such as racism, Islamaphobia and white supremacy […].  In denying this lexicon, you deny us, our hurt, and our need for equality. We must be open about what this really is and what it means, as otherwise it remains hidden and subject to interpretation, and gives no aid, comfort or confidence, but denial of us as racialised minorities, citizens and humans.

~ NSPA member

Suicide and racialised communities

Amidst a surge of hate, moments of hope emerged: acts of solidarity and community spirit that united communities; demonstrations against discriminatory rhetoric; and widespread condemnation of racism. While these responses were both uplifting and necessary, overt and covert racism remains deeply entrenched in our society, and underlying structural racism continues to drive disparities in health and social care.  

Racism, discrimination, and barriers like language and cultural differences severely impact the mental health of racialised communities, contributing to poor outcomes and limiting access to essential services. The situation becomes even more complex when racism intersects with other forms of discrimination due to a person’s sexuality, gender, or faith.  

Despite this, there is a lack of comprehensive research on suicide within racialised communities. The limited data that does exist is often inconsistent and unreliable, partly due to the relatively recent practice of recording ethnicity on death certificates. 

Community organisations, like many in our alliance, are key in providing inclusive suicide prevention support. However, to continue delivering these services at the grassroots, they require sufficient and sustained funding.  

Our commitment to action

In suicide prevention, words are powerful, but action is vital. At the NSPA, we recognise the need for us to do more as an organisation. This requires our own commitment to continuous learning, working to build a more diverse alliance, and ensuring that our work is better informed and shaped by the lived experiences of people from racialised communities. 

Our vision is that fewer lives are lost to suicide and that anyone affected by suicide receives the best possible support. Achieving this vision is possible, but only if we work together to remove the barriers that hinder progress for all. 

Further resources

For more information on mental health, suicide prevention and racialised communities, visit these resources shared by our members: 

Ethnicity, cultural identity and suicide (Samaritans) 

Impacts of Suicide in Punjabi Communities (SEHHAT)  

Talking faith in suicide prevention (Faith Action)  

Tackling Suicide Inequalities in Gypsy and Traveller Communities (Friends, Families and Travellers)  

Understanding common mental health problems (Black Minds Matter)