Every two weeks, around six people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire lose their lives to suicide. That equates to 168 deaths every year.
Behind these numbers lies an even wider impact. It is estimated that every suicide affects around 1,000 other people—family members, friends, colleagues, and communities. Suicide is not only a personal tragedy; it is a collective one.
Three-quarters of those who die by suicide locally are men, with women making up roughly a quarter. These figures reflect a wider national trend, but they also reinforce the urgent need for targeted, localised intervention and awareness.
Collaboration
During Mental Health Awareness Week, we were proud to support Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council’s Public Health teams in launching a powerful new suicide prevention campaign on behalf of the Self Harm and Suicide Prevention Strategic Steering Group.
This campaign has been built on deep research, evidence-based best practice, and meaningful community engagement. It represents a coordinated effort across:
- Health and social care professionals
- Local authorities
- Voluntary and community sector organisations
- Charities, including those supporting people bereaved by suicide
By working with those closest to the issue, the campaign has been shaped to ensure it is authentic, sensitive, and impactful.
Breaking the Silence
One of the most significant barriers to suicide prevention is silence. Many people struggle to speak openly about how they feel or to seek help when they need it most.
This campaign is designed to break that silence, helping people:
- Recognise the signs of distress
- Start conversations about mental health
- Access support quickly and confidently
At its core is a simple but crucial message: help is available, and no one needs to face this alone.
Providing Lifesaving Resources
As part of the campaign, we have supported the rollout of resources to thousands of organisations across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, equipping them with the tools needed to:
- Raise awareness of suicide prevention
- Encourage early intervention
- Direct people to appropriate support services
Key support routes highlighted include:
- 👉 www.NottAlone.org.uk – a central hub for local mental health support
- 📞 NHS 111 (Option 2) – 24/7 urgent mental health crisis support
By making these services more visible and accessible, the campaign ensures that people can find help at the moment they need it.
More Than a Campaign
For us, this work goes beyond communications. It is personal.
Like many others, we have been directly affected by suicide, which has shaped our commitment to ensuring this campaign is not just seen—but felt.
This is about more than awareness. It is about saving lives, supporting communities, and creating lasting change.
We are incredibly proud to have been commissioned to deliver work on such a vital and sensitive issue, and to play a part in helping Nottingham and Nottinghamshire become places where people feel able to speak, seek help, and support one another.