Kent and Medway Suicide and Self-harm Prevention Strategy 2021-2025

Consultation has concluded

Image shows a face with the following words on it: 'release the pressure, don't suffer in silence'

This strategy, together with the children and young people’s strategy, is the continuation of the work undertaken as a result of the 2015-2020 Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Strategy.

While local suicide rates have gone down slightly in recent years, even one death is one too many so there is still much to be done. Kent and Medway still has a higher rate of suicide that the national average.

These strategies combine evidence from suicide patterns in Kent and Medway with national research and policy direction.

They have been developed by the Kent and Medway Suicide and Self-harm Network, which consists of over 130 partners working together to reduce the number of suicides in Kent and Medway.

In this consultation, we asked for your views on the strategies to enable us to revise and adapt our plans accordingly and guarantee the new 2021-2025 strategies are shaped by the local people and organisations who matter.

Ongoing engagement

We welcome your thoughts and feedback at any point during the life of the Strategy. Please contact suicideprevention@kent.gov.uk

Mental health support

Life can get really tough sometimes, but talking can help. We have a highly trained and experienced team available 24/7 to provide expert support no matter what you are going through.

Don’t suffer in silence: text the word Kent to 85258, call 0800 107 0160 or visit the website: Release the pressure - Kent County Council.

Alternative formats

If you require any of the consultation material in an alternative format or language please email alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 42 15 53 (text relay service number: 18001 03000 42 15 53). This number goes to an answering machine, which is monitored during office hours.

This strategy, together with the children and young people’s strategy, is the continuation of the work undertaken as a result of the 2015-2020 Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Strategy.

While local suicide rates have gone down slightly in recent years, even one death is one too many so there is still much to be done. Kent and Medway still has a higher rate of suicide that the national average.

These strategies combine evidence from suicide patterns in Kent and Medway with national research and policy direction.

They have been developed by the Kent and Medway Suicide and Self-harm Network, which consists of over 130 partners working together to reduce the number of suicides in Kent and Medway.

In this consultation, we asked for your views on the strategies to enable us to revise and adapt our plans accordingly and guarantee the new 2021-2025 strategies are shaped by the local people and organisations who matter.

Ongoing engagement

We welcome your thoughts and feedback at any point during the life of the Strategy. Please contact suicideprevention@kent.gov.uk

Mental health support

Life can get really tough sometimes, but talking can help. We have a highly trained and experienced team available 24/7 to provide expert support no matter what you are going through.

Don’t suffer in silence: text the word Kent to 85258, call 0800 107 0160 or visit the website: Release the pressure - Kent County Council.

Alternative formats

If you require any of the consultation material in an alternative format or language please email alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 42 15 53 (text relay service number: 18001 03000 42 15 53). This number goes to an answering machine, which is monitored during office hours.

Consultation has concluded

  • Consultation report published!

    Thank you to everyone who took part in this consultation.

    A copy of the Consultation Report is now available, alongside the updated strategies and supporting background documents. These can be downloaded from the ‘Post-consultation documents’ section.

    The Consultation Report and updated strategies highlight some of the changes we have made in response to your suggestions and comments.

    Both strategies are still subject to formal approval by Kent and Medway Committees in the coming months, after which the final versions will be uploaded here.