What I’ve gained working with the Suicide Prevention Consortium

The Suicide Prevention Consortium (SPC) is a collaboration between NSPA, SASP, Samaritans, With You and people with lived experience. Together we have worked to amplify the voices of people and communities who face disadvantage and exclusion in healthcare. Our aim has been to influence policy and practice in suicide prevention. We did this as part of the Health and Wellbeing Alliance (HW Alliance). Funding for the programme has come to an end but the NSPA is committed to taking forward learnings.

Lived experience was at the centre of everything we did as the SPC. This included embedding lived experience throughout. Here, David reflects on his experiences of the Consortium as a Lived Experience Influencer and member of the project team.

A timid beginning

Joining the Suicide Prevention Consortium (SPC) as a Lived Experience member in September 2021 was my first experience of suicide prevention work. Whilst I had contributed my lived experience within mental health for several years, I had always felt (self-) stigma in relation to conversations about suicide. I was immediately warmly welcomed by the other members and felt at ease, particularly given the acceptance of my adjustment request due to my illness. Whilst vocal views and queries from the lived experience members were appreciated, I felt more comfortable initially contributing mainly via the ‘chat’ function on the monthly online meetings.

It was also comforting to hear from the SPC lead at the time that she would pay particular emphasis on comments and views from the lived experience members/community (not to denigrate the contributions of the other SPC members!)

Rich learning along the way

I have learnt much from the work the Consortium has accomplished, through its surveys and workshops. Appropriate questions and sensitive language to be used had always been thoroughly discussed before any meetings, surveys and workshops. In addition, findings and reports were always circulated for comments and suggestions prior to final publication. Witnessing reports being amended directly from my own contributions fuelled encouragement that my views were beneficial and valued.

The audio series exploring suicide and stigma within the Roma, Showmen, Gypsy and New Travellers communities widened my knowledge how best to adapt project approaches based on community needs. Grassroot partners were engaged to ensure the project was accessible to these communities, as well as safeguarding appropriate language use. Without this work, it is unlikely I would have heard from these groups.

Gradually finding my voice

The courage of others in experience-sharing has inspired me to share my own more openly and vocally. I have also questioned differing opinions more for further understanding. I believe hearing directly from those with lived experience with emotion and associated body language is more impactful than sharing viewpoints indirectly. 

Contributing to suicide prevention work has helped me manage my own suicidal ideation. For me, I now feel less likely to act upon my own suicidal thoughts due to my involvement in this work

Holding hope this impactful work will continue

It is a shame that the consortium in its current form is ending but its important work must be continued. Workshops conducted in January and February 2026 on ‘Neighbourhood Health centres’ and the ‘NHS digital app’ (as part of the Government’s 10-year health plan) clearly demonstrates the continual need for lived experience involvement in influencing and shaping government plans within suicide prevention work.  

Many people with lived experience will find commonalities with the insights and recommendations that the consortium has developed. Furthermore, it can be validating (though unfortunate at times) that one’s experience is not unique.

Going forward, I welcome the commitment of Consortium partners to incorporate lived experience in all suicide prevention activities (including campaigns, policy and services). Suicide prevention as a whole could improve particularly around more collaborative decision-making. This is pertinent if we are to embed lived experience co-production in all suicide prevention practice and policy.

About the author

David is an NSPA Lived Experience Influencer and has been part of the Suicide Prevention Consortium project team since 2021.

More about the Suicide Prevention Consortium and the Health and Wellbeing Alliance

The Suicide Prevention Consortium was one of 19 partnerships forming Health and Wellbeing Alliance (HW Alliance). The programme was funded by Government over a 5 year period. Activities of the HW Alliance were coordinated by National Voices. The collective focus of partners has been identifying and reducing health inequalities. The Suicide Prevention Consortium has specifically examined inequalities known to be risk factors for suicide.

The SPC has worked collaboratively with people with lived experience to produce a number of insights reports and practice guidance. These have shone a light on the impact of inequality on suicide and ways that these inequalities can be addressed. You can access all SPC publications on the NSPA website via the link below.

Other partners involved in the HW Alliance have undertaken a wide range of health inequalities focused research and insights projects. You can access these via the resource library on the National Voices website.