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Ahead of the 2026 Holyrood Election, we’re asking all political parties in Scotland to make suicide prevention a priority.
Life can be wonderful. Life can be tough. Relationships. Work. Money. Loneliness. Mental health. Self-harm. We can all struggle. Any place. Any time. One in four of us have had suicidal thoughts.
Ahead of the 2026 Holyrood Election, we’re asking all political parties to make suicide prevention a priority. We’re pushing for change: within government, in services, and in society to help people not only in their moment of need, but before they reach crisis point.
Our manifesto outlines the Five Priorities to Save Lives that we want to see taken forward by the next Scottish Government. These are:
Increase Funding for Frontline Mental Health Services
At present, too many people in Scotland do not have access to the mental health support and services they need. The threshold for receiving support is often too high, and people need to reach a crisis point before receiving help. People across Scotland require accessible and high-quality services at a community level.
With increased and properly allocated funding for frontline mental health services, we would like to see a system in Scotland where appropriate support is available for people when they need it, before they reach crisis point.
Deliver a Minimum Income Guarantee for Scotland
Samaritans research ‘Dying from Inequality’ found that people who are socioeconomically disadvantaged or who live in areas of socioeconomic deprivation have an increased risk of suicidal behaviour.
Our research released in 2024, ’Paid Yesterday, Broke Today’, looked at the link between financial insecurity and suicidal behaviour and action. The research findings showed that, for the participants in this study, insufficient income was linked to suicidal thoughts and suicidal behaviour.
Where people have incomes that are not sufficient to meet their basic needs, support is necessary to ensure that they can eat meals, pay household bills, and heat their homes. The implementation of a Minimum Income Guarantee in Scotland would protect those at greatest risk, helping to provide a dignified quality of life, deliver financial security and unlock opportunities for everyone.
End Harmful Stigma through Workforce Training
As part of our research, ‘Paid Yesterday, Broke Today’ participants shared the impact of the internal and external stigma that can come with not having an adequate income.
Everybody should feel safe and confident to access the services that they need when they need it, free from stigma and fear. Individuals should not be negatively impacted by their experiences when trying to access financial support. Staff working in financial and employment support services must have access to training and support, to better understand the impact of frontline services on the people accessing them.
Increase Support for People in Prison
International evidence shows that people in prison are significantly more likely to take their own lives than the general population. In Scotland, this disparity is clearly reflected in recent statistics.
The new Scottish Government must ensure that suicide prevention in prisons takes a broader approach, taking a suicide prevention lens to all aspects of prison life, rather than the narrow approach of crisis management. This will require all parties to support the creation of a suicide prevention pathway in the crisis management protocol for prisons, which will broaden the scope of suicide prevention in prisons. The new Government must ensure that the pathway is implemented and based on a trauma-informed compassionate approach.
Increase Resourcing for Community Services
In our research, ‘Paid Yesterday, Broke Today’ participants highlighted the importance of social connection as a key protective factor against suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Participants highlighted the role of friends, family, community groups and support services in providing them with hope for the future
We need properly supported and resourced community services are essential to tackle the social isolation and loneliness that contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviour.
Neil Mathers, Executive Director for Scotland, said:
“As we look ahead to the 2026 election and next parliament, Scotland faces many big challenges. Our communities are still grappling with the cost of living, cuts to frontline services, and the ongoing impact of inequality on mental health and wellbeing.
“But there are also real opportunities at next year's election to make lives better - to reduce poverty, improve wellbeing, to make sure the right support is there at the right time, and ultimately, to reduce deaths by suicide.
"Suicide remains one of the most urgent public health issues facing Scotland. At Samaritans Scotland, we're calling on all political parties, candidates, and policymakers to make suicide prevention a real priority ahead of the election."
Suicide is complex and touches every part of society. It is vital that politicians recognise the devastating impact that suicide has on people’s lives and make clear commitments to address the factors that contribute to suicide risk.
Services in Scotland are working tirelessly to improve the lives of the people who need support. Statutory mental health services must have investment to enable them to keep up with growing demand.
We’re asking The Scottish Government to trust in community-grown services and resource them properly to allow the provision of vital prevention and intervention support.
Suicide is preventable. Our vision is that fewer people die by suicide, that people feel able to ask for help when they are struggling, and where the right support is available at the right time.
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Support us by writing to your local candidate ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election.
You can use the below email template to get in touch with your local candidate and urge them to ensure suicide prevention is a priority for the next Scottish Government.
Dear [candidate name],
Suicide prevention is everybody’s business, and I want to see parties prioritising prevention at Holyrood 2026. I would like to share Samaritans Scotland’s manifesto recommendations on suicide prevention with you, as my local candidate, ahead of the election.
Suicide is an issue of inequality, with those in the most deprived areas 2.5x more likely to die by suicide than those in the least deprived areas. We must tackle these inequalities to ensure fewer lives are lost to suicide.
You can see the data for your local area on the National Records for Scotland website.
I join Samaritans Scotland in calling on all political parties and candidates to commit to the Five Priorities to Save Lives. By signing up to these commitments, candidates can show they are putting people’s wellbeing front and centre, and the next government can bring forward ambitious change to ensure fewer people die by suicide.
The asks are:
- Increase funding for frontline mental health services
- Deliver a Minimum Income Guarantee for Scotland
- End harmful stigma through workforce training
- Increase support for people in prison
- Increase resourcing for community services
You can read the full manifesto document and find out more here.
I would like to see you show your support for the Samaritans Scotland manifesto by replying to me and sharing on your social media accounts.
Kind regards,
[Your potential constituent]