Kent and Medway Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy
The Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy 2026 to 2030 is the drive to reduce local rates of suicide and self-harm among adults and children and young people (CYP). It is led and published by the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme, which sits within our (KCC) public health.
The strategy is overseen by:
- A small, focused oversight board consisting of colleagues from our council, Medway Council, Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board, and Kent and Medway Mental Health Trust.
- The Adult and Children and Young People (CYP) Suicide Prevention Networks, which focus on suicide prevention in adults and CYP respectively.
The Kent and Medway multi-agency suicide prevention steering group is comprised of representation from a variety of agencies including:
- British Transport Police
- Canterbury Christchurch University
- Kent Coroners
- Kent County Council
- Kent Police
- Kent and Medway Mental Health Trust
- those with Lived Experience
- Local Healthcare Partnerships (HCPs)
- Medway Council
- Network Rail
- NHS England
- NHS Kent and Medway
- the Samaritans
- VCSE agencies and organisations.
The Networks are chaired by a representative from our council and meet online quarterly. They serve to raise awareness of local and national suicide prevention initiatives, share best practice, and help shape future work and strategies.
Read the strategies
Read the Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy (2026 to 2030) (PDF, 946.9 KB)
Email suicideprevention@kent.gov.uk if you would like to find out more about the work of the Suicide Prevention Team or join one of the Suicide Prevention Networks.