Scottish Government

Why is this HEAT target important?

Suicide prevention is a major public health challenge in Scotland.

Many people who are feeling suicidal give an indication of their intent, whether verbally or through behavioural change. This is where training to increase the knowledge and skills of key frontline staff in the NHS forms a vital role. The more staff who feel confident and willing to explore possible signs of suicide risk and provide support and help, the higher the potential for saving lives. The Suicide Prevention HEAT target therefore aims to increase the number of people being trained in suicide prevention skills, to ensure that people most likely to be in contact with those feeling suicidal will be trained in the necessary skills to help.

How are we performing?

Target due for delivery end 2010

Data for the end of December 2010 shows that 52 per cent of key frontline staff are educated and trained in using suicide assessment tools/suicide prevention training programmes. This is compared to 42 per cent of key frontline staff for the end of June 2010.

All NHS Boards have a local target of 50 per cent of key frontline staff being educated and trained in using suicide assessment tools/suicide prevention training programmes by the end of 2010.

The graph below shows national performance on suicide training since December 2008.

NHS Board level performance is shown in the table below.

Percentage of frontline staff educated and trained in suicide prevention, as at end December 2010

Target due for delivery end 2013

The target on suicide education and training, completed in December 2010, reflects one aspect of the contribution NHSScotland is making towards preventing suicide. The 2002 National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide (Choose Life) set a target to reduce suicides in Scotland by 20 per cent by 2013. This would mean a reduction from an age-sex-standardised rate of 17.4 per 100,000 population in 2000-2002 to 13.9 per 100,000 population in 2011-2013 (3-year rolling average periods are used in order to smooth out fluctuations which can happen on a year-to-year basis. Annual data - for the previous calendar year - are published by the General Register Office for Scotland each summer).

The rate for 2008-10 was 15.0 per 100,000, compared with 15.4 per 100,000 in 2007-09. Between 2000-02 and 2007-09, there has been an overall downward trend of 13.8 per cent in suicide rates.

The graph below shows the Scotland level suicide rate since 2000-02.

Further Information

Choose Life, the national strategy and action plan to prevent suicide in Scotland

Mental Health Delivery Plan

Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland (2009)

Suicide Prevention Education and Training statistics

Scottish Public Health Observatory Suicide statistics

General Register Office for Scotland Suicide statistics

Related National Outcomes

• We have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society
• We live longer, healthier lives
• Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people's needs