New action plan for 2026-29 launched
21 Jan 26
The Scottish Government and COSLA have today (22 January) published the Creating Hope Together action plan for 2026-29.
It builds on the first three years of Scotland's suicide prevention strategy, and is based around four key strategic outcomes:
Creating a safer environment to prevent suicide
Understanding suicide and tackling stigma
Ensuring people affected by suicide can access support
Collaboration in a way that draws on evidence and lived experience
In our role as the delivery collective, a Suicide Prevention Scotland at-a-glance guide and explainer animation have also been published to summarise the action plan.
As part of today's announcement, the Scottish Government has confirmed an annual funding increase from £2.8m to £3m.
The news was revealed as Minister for Social Care and Mental Health Tom Arthur and COSLA health and social care spokesperson Cllr Paul Kelly visited S.M.I.L.E Counselling, a mental health support charity for 11-24 year olds in West Lothian.
"Every person lost to suicide is a tragedy with far reaching impacts on families, friends and communities," said Mr Arthur.
"Suicide prevention is everyone's business, and I am determined that everyone has timely access to the right mental health support.
"While the latest official statistics show a decrease in the number of probable suicides, there is no room for complacency.
Declan Harrigan (CEO, S.M.I.L.E. Counselling) welcomed Cllr Paul Kelly (COSLA), Tom Arthur (Minister for Social Care & Mental Health, and our Suicide Prevention Scotland national delivery lead Haylis Smith.
"The suicide prevention funding has increased to at least £3 million in 2026–27, up from £2.8 million.
"The increased budget will allow us to focus on tackling the stigma of suicide, encouraging people to seek help, and providing a range of support for people affected by suicide.
"The new plan is focused on prevention, early intervention and reaching those who need support most, including young people and those impacted by social inequalities, stigma and discrimination.
We heard from a range of people with lived and living experience of suicide (not pictured) at today's action plan launch event in Livingston.
"I want to thank Suicide Prevention Scotland and the many other local and national partners, especially those with lived experience, who helped shape this plan."
The plan builds on the learning from delivering the first action plan, drawing on academic research, insights from Suicide Prevention Scotland, local and national delivery partners, and the voices of people with experience of suicide, including children, young people and their families.
Cllr Kelly adds: “Suicide Prevention cannot be achieved by working in silos. We need to work across government – local and national – and with our communities to address the complex factors involved in creating conditions that can increase suicide risk, as well as harnessing those that promote better mental wellbeing.
"This new action plan is informed by learning from both national and local delivery and emerging practice.
"It builds on the ambition and achievements of the previous plan, accelerating progress towards our shared vision: that everyone in Scotland can access the right support at the right time."
Donna Paterson-Harvie (Founder at Neil's Hugs Foundation) is pictured with Minister for Social Care & Mental Health Tom Arthur
"S.M.I.L.E. Counselling warmly welcomes the Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2026–2029 and is hopeful that its ambitions can be fully realised through strong partnership working across the third sector, statutory services and communities," said Declan Harrigan, CEO at S.M.I.L.E. Counselling.
"The clear focus on children and young people, early intervention, and addressing inequalities reflects what we know is needed to prevent suicide and save lives.
"We strongly support the plan’s emphasis on community-based approaches and believe that increased training and development at a local level around suicide prevention, intervention and postvention is pivotal.
"By building confidence, reducing stigma and equipping communities with the right skills and compassion, we can work together to create suicide-safer environments and, wherever possible, prevent deaths by suicide.
"We look forward to continuing to play an active role alongside partners in supporting children, young people and families, and in helping to turn this shared vision into meaningful, life-saving action."