Using findings from our reviews, surveys, and interviews, we conducted a Delphi study to produce 10 key principles of practice for suicide prevention and response. Schools and youth organisations can use these evidence-based principles to create policies and guidance that is best for their individual setting.
Delphi study
We asked three panels of expert stakeholders to rate how much they agreed with statements about:
- What constitutes, and what are the components of, good guidance for professionals working with young people around self-harm and suicide prevention and postvention?
- Should prevention and postvention guidance be presented together or separately?
- Is general guidance for all youth settings (schools, colleges, sports clubs, youth clubs etc), appropriate, or should separate targeted guidance be provided for different settings?
Our panels included:
- Professionals, including voluntary workers, who provide suicide/self-harm prevention and/ or postvention support to schools and other youth settings
- School, college or youth setting staff including voluntary workers with responsibility for planning and/ or delivering safeguarding/ pastoral care
- International academics and clinicians specialising in suicide/ self-harm prevention and/or postvention
Principles of Practice for suicide prevention in schools and youth organisations
Using the statements that experts agreed with, together with our collaborator and PPIE groups, we co-produced 10 ‘gold-standard’ principles of practice around self-harm and suicide prevention and postvention for professionals working with young people. Schools and youth organisations can use these principles to make sure they have strong, evidence-based suicide prevention policies in place.
The principles are currently being finalised and will be launched on 15 September 2026.
Any questions?
For questions about the Delphi study, please contact Dr Emily Widnall