Strategic Partnership - Harmful Online Suicide + Self-harm content

Up to 2017, we had seen three consecutive years of reductions in the suicide rate in the general population. However, despite these decreases, we have continued to see increases in teenagers aged 15-19. In addition, provisional data shows we will see a substantial increase in suicide registrations in 2018 in the general population, including increases in those aged 24 and under. We have a national ambition set out in the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health to reduce the number of suicides by 10% by 2020/21. This is a key programme to support us in tackling the impact of harmful online suicide and self-harm content as part of our work to reduce suicides and self-harming, including amongst children and young people. By supporting work to reduce suicides through tackling harmful content, which has been shown to be accessed by those feeling suicidal, this work will also support wider Departmental objectives to: Improve people's health; strengthen the public health system and reduce inequalities; Improve the lives and outcomes for people with mental health needs, dementia and disabilities.