Suicide Prevention is Everyone’s Business
Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility. Every practitioner, regardless of role or profession, may come into contact with someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harm, emotional distress or the impact of a suicide death.
The Manchester Safeguarding Partnership is committed to supporting a multi-agency approach to suicide prevention, recognising the important contribution that safeguarding partners make in identifying risk, responding to concerns and supporting individuals, families and communities.
Everyone can play a role in helping to prevent suicide by:
· Recognising signs of distress and vulnerability
· Having confident and compassionate conversations about suicide
· Understanding how and where to seek support
· Sharing information appropriately and working collaboratively
· Supporting those affected by suicide and traumatic bereavement
· Promoting mental wellbeing and reducing stigma
Manchester’s approach is aligned local, regional and national suicide prevention priorities, contained in the Manchester Suicide Prevention Plan 2025-2030, and the Suicide prevention strategy for England: 2023 to 2028
Understanding Suicide Risk
There is rarely a single cause of suicide. A range of personal, social, economic and health-related factors may contribute to suicide risk. People may be at increased risk during periods of:
· Mental ill-health
· Relationship breakdown
· Bereavement or loss
· Domestic abuse and coercive control
· Gambling, financial hardship or unemployment
· Substance misuse
· Social isolation and loneliness
· Significant life transitions
· Contact with the criminal justice system
· Traumatic experiences or adverse childhood experiences
Risk can affect people of all ages, backgrounds and communities. Practitioners should remain alert to signs that an individual may be struggling and seek support whenever concerns arise.
What To Do If You Are Concerned About Someone
If a person is expressing thoughts of suicide or you are worried about their safety:
· Take all concerns seriously.
· Listen without judgement.
· Ask directly about suicidal thoughts if appropriate.
· Do not promise confidentiality where there are concerns about safety.
· Seek support from relevant mental health, safeguarding or emergency services.
· Follow your organisation’s safeguarding procedures.
· Record and share information appropriately.
If you are concerned about someone’s own risk to life, it is important to act and contact NHS 111. If there is an immediate risk to life, contact emergency services on 999.
Training and Resources
Manchester supports the promotion of suicide prevention awareness through local and Greater Manchester initiatives, including the Shining a Light on Suicide campaign. The campaign aims to reduce the stigma associated with suicide, encourage open conversations about mental health and suicide, and improve awareness of the support available for people who may be struggling, as well as those affected by suicide. The website provides trusted information, practical advice and signposting to support services.
Practitioners are encouraged to access suicide prevention awareness training to increase confidence and skills in recognising and responding to suicide risk.
The Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) provides a range of free, online suicide awareness training courses designed to help people recognise when someone may be struggling and feel more confident having conversations about suicide. The courses are short, accessible and can be completed online at a time convenient to the learner.
STORM (Skills Training on Risk Management) Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention is an evidence-informed training programme that supports practitioners to develop the skills and confidence needed to engage with children and young people who may be experiencing self-harm, suicidal thoughts or emotional distress. The training combines research evidence, lived experience and practical skill development to help practitioners respond effectively to suicide and self-harm concerns. Due to the sensitive nature of this training, places are strictly limited. If you are interested in attending, please email your expression of interest to
manchestersafeguardingpartnership@manchester.gov.uk
eLearning courses are available on Self Harm and Suicide Thoughts. To register for this free online training register here Registration – Enable
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among children in England and the second most common cause of death in serious child safeguarding incidents in recent years. The national Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel have published new resources to help practitioners identify, prevent, and respond to suicide risk in adolescents. Available via the online learning hub Adolescent suicide | Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel the resources include a briefing paper, poster, case study and a slide pack designed to prompt reflection and discussion across teams and partnerships.
The Home Office have also developed a short resource pack outlining Manchester’s approach to suicide prevention https://www.manchestersafeguardingpartnership.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/MCR-Suicide-Prevention-Resource-Pack-Sept-26-V2.pdf
Learning from Serious Reviews
The Contextual Suicide Thematic Review
The Contextual Suicide Thematic Review considered the deaths of 5 adults within Manchester and Trafford who were affected by domestic abuse, substance misuse, trauma and mental health issues. Their access to their child was lawfully restricted in some way to safeguard the child. They subsequently took their own lives. Following the safeguarding adult reviews the Manchester Safeguarding Partnership task and finish group agreed that Guidance for practitioners would be useful. This guidance helps professionals support parents who have lost legal custody of their children by outlining how to build trust, identify urgent needs, and provide trauma-informed, coordinated care. It highlights best practice around safeguarding, domestic abuse, mental health, child contact, housing, and financial stability, and includes a directory of Manchester services to ensure parents receive consistent, compassionate, and effective support. Working-with-parents-who-have-lost-legal-custody-of-their-children-Practitioners-Guide.pdf
Support After a Suicide
The impact of suicide extends beyond the individual and can affect families, friends, colleagues, professionals, schools, communities and workplaces. Those bereaved or affected by suicide may require practical, emotional and psychological support.
Help is at Hand is a practical and compassionate resource for people who have been bereaved or affected by suicide. There are also a range of services and immediate support available including:
· Greater Manchester Bereavement Service
· NHS Urgent Mental Health & Crisis Support
· Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS)
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Remember: If there is an immediate risk to life, contact emergency services on 999.