Proposed decision –Adopt the Suicide & Self-Harm Prevention Strategy 2026-2030.
Reason for the decision
· The Suicide & Self-Harm Prevention Strategy 2026-2030 is a continuation of the existing strategy (2021-2025) and combines local data about who is dying by suicide in Kent and Medway with national research and policy direction.
· Implementing this strategy will mean that efforts to reduce the number of people dying by Kent and Medway can continue with an informed and dedicated focus, led by the Kent & Medway Suicide Prevention Programme.
Background – Provide brief additional context
· The Strategy has been developed by the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme team, which is hosted by KCC’s Public Health department and funded by the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board.
· The new strategy was developed in conjunction with the Suicide Prevention Network which is the stakeholder group for the strategy. The stakeholder group consists of well-established partnerships made up of over 250 agencies, including statutory and voluntary / community sector organisations as well as individuals living with experience of suicidal thoughts, self-harm or who have been bereaved by suicide.
· The new Strategy was out for public consultation between 23rd July 2025 and 6th October 2025 and yielded 149 responses. Feedback received is currently being woven into the draft strategy, and is informing the strategy but does not amount to any significant change to what it is proposed in the current draft. The public consultation is overwhelmingly supportive of the eight priorities and gave good guidance for the specific objectives and suggested actions that be featured in the programme’s plans.
Options (other options considered but discarded)
How the proposed decision supports the Council’s Strategic Statement
The new Suicide & Self-Harm Prevention Strategy
2026-2030 clearly aligns with the commitment to work with our
partners to hardwire a preventative approach into improving the
health of Kent’s population and narrowing health
inequalities, improving safeguarding and preventing
death. It aims to work with partners
across the System to improve residents’ mental health and
reduce the risk of people dying by suicide.
The Suicide & Self-Harm Prevention Strategy for 2026-2030 supports the Council toachieve best value by embedding a preventative approach to suicide and self-harm among adults and children. Research from the Samaritans suggests that each individual suicide costs the state an average of £1.46 million, highlighting the positive financial impact of a focused suicide prevention strategy as well as making the system more efficient and responsive.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: For Determination
Notice of proposed decision first published: 06/01/2026
Decision due: Not before 4th Feb 2026 by Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
Reason: To allow 28 day notice period required under Executive Decision regulations
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
Lead director: Dr Anjan Ghosh
Department: Social Care, Health & Wellbeing
Contact: Tim Woodhouse, Suicide Prevention Programme Manager, Public Health Email: Tim.Woodhouse@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
The proposed decision will be considered at the Adult Social Care and Public Health Cabinet Committee on 21 January 2026.
Financial implications: The Suicide Prevention team and programme is funded via the NHS through the Kent and Medway ICB, therefore there are minimal financial implications to KCC. KCC funds the Programme Manager role and occasionally provides financial support to individual projects. The Samaritans estimate that each individual suicide has associated costs of £1.46 million (consisting of lost employment productivity, healthcare costs and legal and administrative expenses). Suicide prevention activity plays an important role in mitigating these costs.
Legal implications: There are no legal implications for KCC, or its partners associated with the development of the strategy
Equalities implications: Equalities implications An EqIA has been completed as part of the strategy development process, and is available on KNET. It identifies that there are some groups at higher risk of suicide, which are reflected in the priorities of the new strategy. However, as this strategy seeks to serve all residents there is no potential for discrimination and all appropriate measures have been taken to advance equality and foster good relations between the protected groups. Data Protection implications A DPIA is not required for the Strategy as the Programme does not deliver direct support to Kent residents. DPIAs will be implemented across commissioned services where identified as a requirement following screening.