A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland

The Scottish Government's Choose Life strategy was launched in December 2002 and forms a key part of the National Programme for Improving Mental Health and WellBeing Action Plan in Scotland.

Choose Life is a 10 year plan aimed at reducing suicides in Scotland by 20% by 2013.  It is the product of over 2 years work which drew on the experience and expertise of a broad range of partners including the family members of people who had attempted or completed suicide, health and social care workers, teachers, young people, suicide survivors, public health specialists, voluntary and community agencies, and many others.

The strategy and action plan aims to ensure we take action nationally and locally to build skills, improve knowledge and awareness of 'what works' to prevent suicide, improve opportunities to prevent premature loss of life and provide hope and optimism for the future.

Choose Life Objectives

• Early prevention and intervention
• Responding to immediate crisis
• Improving support for hope and recovery
• Providing support to those who are affected by suicidal behaviour or a completed suicide
• Awareness raising and encouraging people to seek help early
• Supporting the media in reporting of suicide
• Knowing what works

Choose Life Priority Groups

• Children (especially looked after children)
• Young people (especially young men)
• People with mental health problems
• People who have attempted suicide
• People affected by the aftermath of suicidal behaviour or completed suicide
• People who abuse substances
• People in prison

The National Programme for Improving Mental Health and WellBeing has already allocated £12 million to support the first phase of implementation of Choose Life over 2003 - 2006.  A further £8.4 million is being invested over 2006 - 2008.  Each year £3.2 million of the National Programme's allocation is provided to local Community Planning Partnerships to help support Local Choose Life Action Plans.