The National Suicide Prevention Strategy launched by the Health Minister last month consists of six primary areas of focus, namely: promoting coordination and organisation among various stakeholders; improving support and treatment; restricting access to means of suicide; creating better awareness and knowledge on the subject; prevention and health promotion activities and ensuring quality assurance and expertise in service delivery.

Each of these areas reflects a comprehensive and well-rounded approach that combines immediate crisis intervention with long-term strategies to improve mental health and prevent suicides.

1. Promoting coordination and organisation among stakeholders

One of the most crucial elements of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy is the focus on coordination and organisation among various stakeholders. This includes government agencies, mental health professionals, non-governmental organisations, community leaders and the private sector. By fostering collaboration, the government intends to create a cohesive network of support that can respond to the complexities surrounding suicide prevention more effectively.

This approach is pivotal because suicide is not solely a medical issue. It is deeply embedded in social, cultural and economic contexts. A strategy that brings together multiple stakeholders will allow for a more holistic approach, ensuring that various perspectives and resources are mobilised. The importance of such a collaborative network is demonstrated in the fact that many suicides are preventable with timely intervention, but this requires the coordination of resources across sectors.

Furthermore, the collaborative approach helps to eliminate the fragmentation of services, which often leads to missed opportunities for early intervention and support. A networked approach ensures that individuals at risk are not falling through the cracks, with professionals working together to identify and mitigate risks early on.

2. Improving support and treatment

Improving support and treatment for individuals experiencing mental health challenges is another central focus of the strategy. The introduction of improved mental health care services and support structures is a vital part of addressing suicide prevention. Suicide is often the tragic outcome of untreated mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. By providing access to comprehensive treatment options, the strategy aims to reduce these issues at their roots.

Mental health care services need to be accessible, well-funded, and staffed by professionals who are adequately trained to identify and respond to the early signs of suicide risk. This could include the expansion of mental health services, the provision of crisis intervention teams and specialised training for healthcare providers to identify individuals at risk. The strategy aims not only to treat individuals who are actively suicidal but also to create a culture where mental health care is viewed as equally important as physical health care.

Training healthcare and other professionals to recognise the warning signs of suicide and intervening early can make a significant difference in saving lives. This proactive approach is crucial, as individuals at risk of suicide may not always seek help on their own due to stigma or a lack of awareness about available resources. Thus, improving support and treatment will create a safety net for those most vulnerable.

3. Restricting access to means

A critical part of any suicide prevention strategy is the restriction of access to lethal means. By restricting access to such means, the likelihood of suicide attempts can be reduced significantly. This approach operates on the premise that the impulsive nature of many suicide attempts means that reducing access to lethal methods gives individuals a crucial moment to reconsider their decision.

This strategy's focus on means restriction aligns with international best practices. Studies have shown that reducing access to lethal means of suicide has led to a decline in suicide rates.

4. Raising awareness and knowledge

The importance of raising awareness and knowledge on suicide prevention cannot be overstated. Many people are still unaware of the warning signs of suicide or the resources available to them. The stigma surrounding mental health issues often prevents individuals from seeking help, and the lack of general awareness about how to approach someone who is suicidal can lead to missed opportunities for intervention.

Education and awareness campaigns are an essential component of the strategy, aiming to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. By creating a more informed and compassionate society, individuals who are struggling with mental health challenges may feel more comfortable seeking help. Public awareness campaigns can also educate people on the importance of early intervention, identifying warning signs, and knowing when to reach out for professional help.

Additionally, raising awareness within vulnerable communities and among at-risk populations, such as youths, the elderly, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, can help ensure that suicide prevention is a priority across all segments of society. Knowledge of available resources, whether through healthcare providers, helplines or community organisations, will enable individuals to take proactive steps in preventing suicide.

5. Prevention activities and promoting mental health

The overarching goal of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy is to prevent suicides. Prevention activities aimed at promoting mental health are thus central to this effort. These activities include supporting initiatives that foster resilience, emotional wellbeing and healthy coping mechanisms.

Programmes that promote emotional literacy and self-awareness, as well as social connection and community engagement, can help individuals develop the skills they need to cope with difficult situations in their lives. Additionally, promoting work-life balance, addressing social isolation and creating spaces for open discussions on mental health are all activities that could contribute to preventing suicide in the long term.

The strategy's focus on mental health promotion highlights the need for a shift in societal attitudes toward mental health, where it is prioritised and treated as an essential component of overall health.

6. Quality assurance and expertise

Finally, ensuring quality assurance and expertise within the services provided is critical for the success of the strategy. This area focuses on ensuring that mental health services are of the highest standard, with professionals who are qualified, well-trained and committed to providing the best possible care. The government has recognised the need to ensure that those delivering services have the knowledge, skills and expertise to provide appropriate support to individuals at risk of suicide.

Additionally, ensuring quality service delivery will require rigorous monitoring and evaluation to measure the effectiveness of interventions and programmes. This helps in identifying gaps and improving service delivery over time. Quality assurance mechanisms will provide individuals at risk with the assurance that they are receiving the best care possible, which is essential for creating trust in the system.

IF YOU NEED HELP

(taken from National Suicide Prevention Strategy)

24/7 Services

National Mental Health Helpline

For suicidal thoughts, mental-health problems, loneliness and emotional support: Call the National Mental Health Helpline 1579

Foundation for Social Welfare Services Supportline

For domestic violence, abuse, homelessness, and drug, alcohol & gambling problems: Call freephone 179

Emergency Services

For ambulance, police, and civil protection services: Call freephone 112

The Emergency Psychiatric Service

For emergency psychiatric reviews and assessments by doctors and nurses specialised in mental health. Accessible through the Accident & Emergency Department at Mater Dei Hospital, Msida

Suicide Prevention Outreach and Therapeutic Services (SPOT)

SPOT provides support to people who have been affected by suicide (bereaved individuals), people who have attempted suicide three months prior to service intake and people who struggle with suicidal ideation.

Visit https://victimsupport.org.mt/spot/ for more information or contact Victim Support Malta on +356 2122 8333 or [email protected]

https://mentalhealthservices.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/National_Suicide-Prevention_Strategy_for_Malta_2025-2030.pdf