New strategy sets out Northamptonshire's vision to prevent suicide and save lives
Mental health and wellbeing16 September 2026
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing suicide and supporting the mental wellbeing of residents, with Cabinet endorsing the new Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2026-2031.
The countywide strategy has been developed jointly by West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire Council alongside NHS, voluntary sector and community partners, setting out a shared vision to reduce suicide and the harm it causes across Northamptonshire over the next five years. The strategy recognises that suicide remains a significant and preventable public health challenge and requires sustained, coordinated and compassionate action.
Developed with input from people with lived experience and informed by local evidence, the strategy aims to reduce suicide rates, improve mental wellbeing and ensure support is available before people reach crisis point. It outlines a whole-system approach to prevention, recognising that suicide prevention is everybody's business and that meaningful change can only be achieved through partnership working.
The strategy builds on the successes of the previous Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy, which delivered a range of initiatives across the county, including awareness campaigns, suicide prevention training, strengthened support services and a co-produced male suicide prevention campaign featuring local males sharing their experiences of mental health challenges.
As part of the strategy's ongoing delivery, partners across Northamptonshire will continue to expand the Orange Button Scheme, a countywide initiative operating across both West and North Northamptonshire. The scheme identifies trained members of the community who can provide a listening ear, offer reassurance and signpost people to appropriate support relating to suicide in everyday community settings such as libraries, community centres, pharmacies, cafés, leisure centres and other public-facing venues. The strategy includes the continued implementation and promotion of the Orange Button Scheme as a key action over the next five years.
The strategy also commits to the ongoing promotion of Northamptonshire's male suicide prevention campaign, which was developed with males who have lived experience of mental health challenges and aims to encourage open conversations, reduce stigma and support earlier help-seeking.
Residents can find out more about the Orange Button Scheme and read the stories shared through the Northamptonshire male suicide prevention campaign.
Councillor Laura Couse, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at West Northamptonshire Council, said: "Every suicide is a tragedy, and preventing suicide remains a priority for us and our partners across Northamptonshire. This strategy sets out how we'll continue working together to reduce stigma, improve access to support and help people get the right support before they reach crisis point.
"Suicide prevention is everybody's business. By working together, we can build stronger, more supportive communities where people feel able to talk openly and seek help when they need it.
"The Orange Button Scheme and our male suicide prevention campaign are already helping to start important conversations and connect people with support. Through this new strategy, we're committed to building on that work and doing everything we can to prevent suicide and save lives."
The strategy aligns with national suicide prevention priorities and focuses on improving evidence and data, providing targeted support to groups at higher risk, addressing common risk factors linked to suicide, improving crisis support, strengthening bereavement support and making suicide prevention everybody's business.
Anyone experiencing emotional distress, or concerned about somebody else, can access support through local and national mental health services. Information about support available across Northamptonshire are available on the Urgent mental health and wellbeing page.