In 2016, we wrote to local politicians across the UK.
In addition to providing our listening services, we work to makes sure governments, councils and decision-makers across Ireland and the UK are doing everything they can to prevent suicide.
We couldn't do this without Samaritans’ brilliant campaigners, who keep on asking the important questions locally and nationally to make sure policy-makers are held to account on suicide prevention.
'Local Action Saves Lives' was Samaritans’ first major political campaign.
England and Wales
In England and Wales, thousands of brilliant Samaritans campaigners emailed nearly every council across the two nations asking them to make sure they had really strong suicide prevention plans in place.
We focused particularly on making sure people who had self-harmed got high quality services. We did this because people who self-harm can be at much higher risk of suicide.
We received many positive responses from councils saying they were committed to our recommendations and were putting in place new services and processes.
Scotland
Our Scottish supporters emailed their MSPs asking for them to make sure the Scottish Government’s draft suicide prevention plan was far stronger.
As a result of campaigning by Samaritans and other organisations, the Scottish Government came back with a much-improved plan and we are part of the Leadership Group leading the delivery of it.