Changing the narrative on World Suicide Prevention Day 2025

10 September 2025

World Suicide Prevention Day 2025 reminds us that reaching out and showing care can interrupt suicidal thoughts and save lives.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates more than 700,000 people die due to suicide each year and that almost 77% of all global suicides occur in low and middle-income countries.

In April 2025 NHS England published guidance to support the government’s work to reduce suicide and improve mental health services. It promotes a shift towards a more holistic, person-centred approach rather than relying on risk prediction, which is unreliable because suicidal thoughts can change quickly. Instead, it recommends using a method based on understanding each person’s situation and managing their safety.

This year we are highlighting our support of the Baton of Hope and Helena Fletcher’s reflections on LGBTQ+ inclusion. We also highlight that people with a learning disability often face extra barriers to mental health support and understanding.

Baton of Hope

Over the past two years we have been supporting the Baton of Hope and the Walk of Hope, which aims to change the way suicide is seen and to change the narrative.

Two years ago our colleagues were part of the baton relay through Sheffield, a poignant and powerful moment. And this year we supported the Walk of Hope with a team of experts and specialists, to help to further break the silence around the topic.

We are continuing our work with the Baton of Hope charity and we look forward to sharing more updates in the future.

People with a learning disability and autistic people

People with a learning disability face many of the same mental health challenges as anyone else, but they may experience additional barriers that can make accessing support and being understood more difficult.

Research shows that autistic people and people with a learning disability are at a higher risk of experiencing poor mental health and, sadly, they may also be at increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour.

Several factors can contribute to a higher risk of suicide among people with a learning disability, including:

Social isolation: Many people with a learning disability experience loneliness or struggle to build meaningful relationships
Bullying and stigma: Discrimination and negative attitudes can affect self-esteem and contribute to feelings of worthlessness or despair
Communication barriers: It can be harder to express emotions or ask for help, especially if services aren’t tailored to individual communication needs
Lack of appropriate mental health support: Services may not always recognise or respond effectively to the mental health needs of people with learning disabilities

Parents and carers of autistic people and people with a learning disability

The first UK study of suicide risk in parents caring for children with disabilities and long-term illnesses found that while caring for a disabled child:

41% of parents had thought about completing suicide
8% of parents had made a plan to complete suicide
2.5% had attempted to complete suicide

Of those who experienced suicidal thoughts and behaviours while caring:

Two-thirds had thought about completing suicide in the last 12 months
One-third had made a plan to complete suicide in the last 12 months

More than 50% of parent carers who had thought about or attempted suicide had never told anyone about these experiences. Fear, judgement, and stigma were the main barriers to disclosure, particularly the fear of having their child removed.

Suicide prevention strategy for England: 2023 to 2028

The suicide prevention strategy for England: 2023 to 2028 has been published, disseminated nationally and the information used to create the local suicide strategy in Sheffield.

This builds on the previous strategy, with key demographics remaining as known risk factors for increased suicide risk. However, newly identified risk factors in the updated strategy include priorities for the next five years:

Autism or ADHD
Younger people increased suicide risk
Suicides following a one-off mental health assessment
Perinatal – pregnant mothers and new mothers
Gambling related suicides
Domestic abuse
Neurodevelopmental factors

We continue to work closely with Sheffield City Council to align our priorities with the national and local strategy, as well as continued work with our partners in the community to raise awareness of suicide, have effective suicide assessment and work towards reducing suicides across the city.

Everyone is also encouraged to take part in this Zero Suicide Alliance training. It takes less than 20 minutes to complete and could save a life.

Learning from suicide prevention training with SAYiT

Helena Fletcher, from our Engagement and Experience team, recently attended suicide prevention training run by SAYiT, with a specific focus on the LGBTQ+ community and suicide.

Helena shares her reflections here:

"I attended the training with some ideas and lived experience around the topic. In the first session, we explored our knowledge of LGBTQ+ rights and the needs of young people in Sheffield. It was fascinating to hear different perspectives, especially around the use of pronouns such as it, ze or zir. Some felt that using it was derogatory, while others saw it as empowering, handing back choice and agency to individuals.

"In the second session, we looked at the statistics around the young queer community and how their mental health is affected. We also discussed how outdated surveys sometimes fail to reflect today’s reality, especially given the recent rise in homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia. I raised questions about living in a working-class, northern city, where comments like ‘none of this in my day’ or criticisms of how people dress are still common. It was important to explore how to challenge such views and how best to support those who may be judged for not ‘passing.’

"One powerful suggestion that came from our discussion was the blog Queering Leadership by Zena Sharman, which I’d recommend to anyone wanting to learn more.

"When the training turned to suicide, the key message was simple but vital: we must talk about it. There’s often fear around raising the subject with young people or within the LGBTQ+ community, but silence helps no one. Talking about suicidal thoughts can save lives.

"We also took part in an activity using building blocks to create a tower of support. The foundation blocks included essentials such as safe spaces, community, friends and family, and access to support. Other blocks represented additional sources of strength, such as pets, good workplaces, and positive educational environments.

"The sessions were thought-provoking, moving, and filled with lived experience. They reminded me that learning, listening, and speaking openly about suicide are at the heart of changing the narrative. On World Suicide Prevention Day, my thoughts are with everyone affected by suicide. I’ve been affected myself, as so many of us have. But I believe that by talking openly and breaking the stigma, we can create a future where no one feels they have to struggle alone.”

You can find more about this topic on the SAYiT website here.