Lived experience of suicide prevention and support
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Lived experience of suicide prevention and support: experience-based co-production study into what has, what could, and what does not work for service users
IRAS ID
354307
Contact name
Guinever Robinson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
Suicide is a significant public health problem with more than 4000 individuals taking their own lives every year in the United Kingdom. Support for individuals in the UK who are struggling with thoughts of suicide is limited. Many individuals are told they are too high risk for the support available. Even if they are offered support, people are experiencing waitlists as long as two years which can prolong, and even worsen, their distress and suicidal risk. These individuals often feel abandoned. Given that more than 50% of those who end their life seek support in the month before they take that step timely delivery of accessible and effective interventions is required. Unfortunately, of the interventions that are available, whether face-to-face or self-guided, the evidence for reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviour is weak or non-existent. This study is a part of a project developing and testing a new low-intensity intervention for suicide prevention which is underpinned by the Medical Research Council framework for developing new complex interventions.
This study will aim to recruit 12-20 adults with an experience of suicidal thoughts and behaviour who are or have accessed NHS or community mental health services. Participants will be invited to take part in up 5 focus groups, delivered either in person, at the University of Manchester, or online, depending on participant preferences, to discuss their experiences of accessing support for their suicidal thoughts and behaviour, what they felt worked in the support they received, what they feel did not work, and what they would like to see in a future intervention. Prior to the initial focus group participants will be asked to provide demographic information and complete a questionnaire about their history of and current thoughts and plans for suicide to assess eligibility. Qualitative data will be used to develop the new intervention.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SW/0045
Date of REC Opinion
23 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion