A survey has been launched to gather evidence on young people and suicide for a Government inquiry.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Suicide and Self-harm Prevention has launched a mini-inquiry focused on young people and suicide as part of its work to raise awareness within Parliament and encourage discussion and debate of all issues surrounding suicide and self-harm prevention.
The group has launched an anonymous survey to gather evidence for the inquiry which will focus on the experiences of young people aged 18-25 and seek to understand what should be done to prevent young suicides.
According to the ONS (2018), suicide is the biggest killer of young people aged 16-24.
In 2021, 611 deaths by suicide were registered for people aged 15-24 in England and Wales.
Suicide rates among young people are increasing, with ONS data showing that females aged 24 and under haeve seen the largest increase in suicide rates since 1981.
The inquiry will explore risk factors and help-seeking experienced by young people with lived experience of suicidal thoughts, feelings and attempts.
As well as the survey, the APPG will also hold a short series of evidence sessions with people with lived experience, organisations, academics and practitioners.
The survey is aimed at:
- Young people aged 18-25 with lived experience of suicidal thoughts, feelings and/or attempt(s);
- People aged over 18 who have been impacted by the suicide of a young person.
The deadline for filling in the survey is November 18th 2023.
The purpose of the inquiry is to develop Parliamentarians' understanding of young suicides and the support available to young people by hearing directly from people with live experience.
It will also publish recommendations and advocate for these policy changes in Parliament as well as provide recommendations that support the implementation of the new National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Survey links:
Survey: APPG inquiry survey
Survey terms of reference: APPG inquiry into young poeple and suicide: terms of reference