Debate: Suicide Prevention Action Plan: Every Life Matters

That the Parliament welcomes the Suicide Prevention Action Plan; extends its sympathy to all those bereaved by suicide; believes that every life matters and that no death by suicide is either acceptable or inevitable; acknowledges the dedication, expertise and hard work of all those who have contributed to a 20% reduction in the suicide rate since 2002; accepts that there is far more work to do; supports the determination for a step change in suicide prevention; accepts the vision for a Scotland where suicide is preventable, where help and support is available to anyone contemplating suicide and to those who have lost someone to suicide; calls on leaders at national, regional and local level to transform society’s response and attitudes towards suicide; recognises the need for further collective action to prevent deaths by suicide; supports the additional £3 million investment, and the establishing of a National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group chaired by the former deputy chief constable, Rose Fitzpatrick; agrees with the target to further reduce the rate of suicide by 20% by 2022, and commends the partnership approach across sectors, organisations and society to better identify and support people in distress, to strengthen communities and to save lives.