This consultation response by Barnardo's Scotland was submitted to the Scottish Government consultation on its new Suicide Prevention Action Plan.
We work with thousands of children, young people and their families across Scotland every year in over 130 services. We often work with children and young people displaying symptoms of anxiety, low self-esteem, loneliness and self harm. Many of the issues we see in our young people have the potential to escalate into more serious situations, including suicide if the right interventions are not provided at the right time. Early intervention is crucial, particularly for young people, to prevent them reaching crisis point.
The previous suicide prevention strategy 2013-2016 did not include any mention of children or young people, and as it stands the current Action Plan does not make specific mention of children and young people either. This is something we would like to see rectified in the final Action Plan.