MS, Deputy Minister for
Social Care, Mental Health and Women's Health: I recognise the
profound and lasting effect that a death by suicide has on
families, friends and the wider community. As a new government,
we are committed to making meaningful progress in reducing deaths
by suicide in Wales, and to ensuring that people who are affected
receive the support they need.
It is essential that our approach is grounded in the strongest
available evidence, so that the actions we take are both
effective and impactful. I therefore welcome the upcoming
publication of the first annual report from the National Centre
for Suicide Prevention and Self-harm Research, on World Suicide
Prevention Day, September 10th.
The Welsh Government has invested more than £2m in the National
Centre through Health and Care Research Wales. Led by Swansea
University, and in collaboration with Cardiff University, the
University of South Wales and the Samaritans, the National Centre
plays a vital role as the central repository for data and
evidence on suicide and self-harm in Wales. It brings together
academic research, established surveillance systems and,
crucially, the insights of people with lived experience.
This work will strengthen the data infrastructure and sharing
processes needed to inform legislation, policy and service design
in Wales. The annual report will provide an overview of Welsh
data and evidence in relation to suicide and self-harm, key
messages and advice for the Welsh Government, as well as a
summary of the National Centre's progress against its
deliverables in the Suicide and Self-harm
Strategy for Wales: Delivery Plan 2025-2028.
The report from the National Centre makes it clear that suicide
prevention is a shared responsibility, requiring coordinated
action across government and collaboration with partners in many
sectors. I will be working closely with my ministerial
colleagues, guided by the evidence, to ensure we strengthen work
to prevent suicide. I am particularly concerned about the effects
of cyberbullying and am keen to better understand the wider
influence of social media on children and young people. To
ensure we have a stronger evidence base in this area, I have
asked that these issues be given specific consideration in the
next annual report.
We know from the evidence that the risks of suicide can
disproportionately affect certain groups and demographics. Men
are disproportionately more likely to die by suicide, as are
people living in the most disadvantaged areas of Wales. The work
of the National Centre is vital in improving our understanding of
issues that increase the risk of suicide, and to shape our
preventative approach.
Our Suicide Prevention and
Self-harm Strategy and accompanying delivery plan has a
specific focus on how we better understand and tackle those
issues that can lead people to die by suicide. In 2024, there
were 436 registered deaths by suicide in Wales, 337 of which were
men. These figures are a stark reminder of the urgency of our
work.
Our Strategy and delivery plan recognise that people's
experiences, needs and challenges differ, and that our response
must reflect this. We are committed to building a system that is
responsive, compassionate, and able to provide timely support. We
will continue to explore the factors affecting different groups,
particularly men, and how best to reach and support those at
risk.
Through taking a compassionate and evidence-based approach in
Wales, we are laying the foundations for meaningful and lasting
change.
The annual report from the National Centre is an important first
step in equipping us with the data and evidence we need to
support delivery of our commitment to achieving an annual
reduction in the number and rates of suicides and attempted
suicides, as set out in our Suicide Prevention and Self-harm
Strategy for Wales.
