Mental Health and Wellbeing Leadership Board: self-harm strategy and action plan mid-term report - September 2025

Annex A - Executive Summary

Background

The Self-Harm Strategy and Action Plan continues to be a vital component of Scotland’s ongoing efforts to support people affected by self-harm and commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing across the population. Now at its mid-point, this report reviews progress across the Strategy’s three priorities and considers what change has been achieved towards the short-term outcomes since its launched in November 2023.

Purpose of this Report

This mid-term report provides an overview of the activity and achievements made in the first 18 months of implementation ^[1]. It highlights where progress has been made across the Action Plan. Key learning and next steps are also summarised, helping to shape the approach for the remainder of the Strategy period.

Progress Overview

Progress has been made across all three priorities, building a strong foundation of tools, networks, and collaborative approaches to better support people who self-harm. Key achievements include:

• Priority 1: Continue to expand and deepen knowledge and compassionate understanding of self-harm and tackle stigma and discrimination We have expanded national learning opportunities and strengthened Self-Harm Network Scotland (SHNS) as a central hub for training and support, including through the launch of its dedicated website. Self-harm education has been embedded across key sectors, including health, education, and community settings. Tailored resources have been developed and shared with professionals, parents, and carers.
• Priority 2: Continue to build person-centred support and services across Scotland to meet the needs of people affected by self-harm New peer support and live chat services from SHNS have provided accessible, person-centred support to people who self-harm. National frameworks, such as the Framework for Collaboration to Improve Mental Health Distress and Crisis Response, have been developed to strengthen cross-sector responses to people in crisis. Local and national partners are embedding person-centred approaches by supporting the implementation of NICE AND NCISH guidelines and working alongside Suicide Prevention Scotland. The Provider Network connects third sector and statutory organisations to coordinate community support for people affected by self-harm, particularly those at highest risk. NHS Education for Scotland is developing person-centred risk management training for mental health practitioners.
• Priority 3: Review, improve and share data and evidence to drive improvements in support and service responses for people who have self-harmed or are at risk of doing so. Progress has been made in reviewing and enhancing self-harm data, with Public Health Scotland assessing current self-harm data for quality and completeness. Research led by the University of Edinburgh has deepened understanding of self-harm data, while research from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde highlighted best practices in responding to self-harm. Public Health Scotland has developed a pilot evidence and gap map focused on children and young people, highlighting risks and effective interventions. The Scottish Government explored barriers to accessing support and services for people who self-harm. While these efforts provide an important foundation, further work is needed to strengthen data collection and usage.

Key Learnings and Next Steps

Over the past 18 months, we have made good progress towards our vision of improving support for people affected by self-harm. Persistent challenges include service capacity, ongoing stigma and discrimination, and limitations in data quality. These insights will shape the focus of delivery in the second half of the Strategy period, as we work to embed learning, understand what works, and work towards our mid-term outcomes.