The aim of the Suicide and Self-harm Strategy is to reduce the number and rates of suicide deaths that have endured over recent years. It also aims to establish a pathway to support people who self harm and to improve support for those bereaved by suicide.
Our Response
RCPCH Wales welcomes the strategy and the identification of children and young people as a vulnerable group, both for self-harm and suicide.
Overall, the strategy provides a clear approach to suicide and self-harm prevention and there are objectives RCPCH Wales supports, specifically the emphasis on improving real time data collection. However, we are concerned that there are no specific objective or sub-objectives relating to improving capacity within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Our Recommendations
To strengthen the impact of the strategy we recommend the following:
- Take into account the increase in children and young people presenting with acute mental distress in paediatric wards and emergency setting by improving the design of these settings to ensure they are fit for purpose, whilst acknowledging specialist beds are the right place for these children.
- Increase funding for CAMHS to improve access to support, reduce long waits for care, and reduce the number of children who reach crisis while waiting for CAMHS services.
- Support the ‘missing middle’ who need services but do not meet the criteria for CAMHS. This system should incorporate education, the whole school approach, early intervention, community-based support and targeted support for vulnerable groups.
- Develop resources to address the socio-economic inequalities that impact children’s mental health and work with education and community support services.
RCPCH Wales has also provided a response to the Welsh Government’s draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The response focuses on early intervention, the first 1,000 days and protecting children’s good mental health, all of which are essential for suicide and self-harm prevention. The recommendations provided to that consultation, if accepted, will aid in suicide and self-harm prevention.
This page provides a summary, and you can download our full response below.