Latest newsletter from Suicide Prevention Scotland - February 2026
06 Mar 26
The team at Public Health Scotland have published the latest Suicide Prevention Scotland newsletter (February 2026).
The February 2026 newsletter sets out an encouraging start to the year for suicide prevention work across Scotland, building on momentum from 2025 and introducing new tools, resources and strategic direction for 2026 and beyond.
In January the Scottish Government and COSLA published the second phase of the Creating Hope Together action plan - extending the national suicide prevention strategy to 2029.
The new action plan builds on the achievements of the first three years of strategy delivery and is structured around four key strategic outcomes:
Creating safer environments to help prevent suicide
Understanding suicide and tackling stigma
Ensuring people affected by suicide can access support
Strengthening collaboration based on evidence and lived experience
Alongside the plan’s launch, the Scottish Government confirmed an annual funding increase from £2.8 million to £3 million, which will support wider prevention activity, early intervention, tackling stigma and promoting equitable access to support services.
A third Gathering Hope event took place at the end of January, bringing together organisers, practitioners and frontline responders to share practice, connect and learn from one another.
Regional networking events are planned throughout March, and Suicide Prevention Scotland’s national annual conference will take place on 27 May, with a focus on growing capacity for hope through action.
The newsletter continued to highlight NHS 24’s Breathing Space service, which plays a key role in the strategy by offering confidential support and encouraging community-focused wellbeing activities.
In February, Breathing Space Day adopted the theme Open Air, Open Mind, encouraging people to get outside, pause and connect or reach out for support when they need it.
A major focus remains on children and young people. The newsletter described the Enabling Conversations Implementation Pack, a resource designed to help young people and their families have safe, supportive conversations about suicide.
This is supported by ongoing work through our participation networks, which bring together lived experience perspectives, sector partners and policy discussions that influence national and local practice.
The February newsletter emphasises continued strategic progress, community-driven practice, new tools for practitioners, and the importance of both lived experience voices and local action in suicide prevention across Scotland.