Posted on: 9 April 2025
Sensitivity warning: this article discusses suicide, a sensitive topic that may impact on the reader. If you need support, please refer to the suicide prevention resources for West Yorkshire.
Over the past year, West Yorkshire has seen continued commitment from health and care organisations, the voluntary sector and individuals with lived experience to help reduce the number of lives lost to suicide. While suicide rates have remained relatively stable, there are positive signs that preventative efforts are making a difference.
Key highlights include:
- ongoing development of real-time intelligence-sharing through the suicide surveillance system enabling more responsive and data-informed action
- development of a lived experience panel ensuring the voices of those affected by suicide shape policy and practice
- suicide prevention training to over 1,000 colleagues and volunteers building confidence and capacity across our workforce
- growing network of 477 Suicide Prevention Champions, helping embed awareness and support
Emm Irving, Head of Improving Population Health, said:
“We know every life lost to suicide is one too many. By working together and listening to people with lived experience, we are building a more compassionate and effective approach to suicide prevention. This collaborative spirit is helping us save lives across West Yorkshire.”
Focus on equity and innovation
Our approach addresses inequalities and seeks to understand and prioritise those most at risk, including:
men, particularly in middle age- autistic people and those with learning disabilities
- people who self-harm
- ethnically diverse and LGBTQ+ communities
- children and young people
By tailoring interventions and fostering trusted relationships with local communities, the programme is working to close the gap for those disproportionately affected by suicide.
Next steps
Looking ahead, the Suicide Prevention Programme will continue to focus on local delivery with oversight from the regional board. Plans include:
- expanding the Check-In With Your Mate and Check-In With Pride campaigns to reach more people in key communities
- scaling up trauma-informed approaches across the system to support those with complex or long-term needs
- embedding suicide prevention into core commissioning models, ensuring sustainability and long-term impact across health and care services
Emm added:
“We remain firmly committed to our vision to reduce suicide across west Yorkshire and every step toward this goal is a life potentially saved.”
For more information about key achievements over the last year and ongoing challenges see the paper presented at the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership Board meeting on Tuesday 1 April by Emm Irving and Rebecca Elliott, Public Health Manager, Kirklees Council.