Suicide prevention efforts already happening
2026 World Suicide Prevention Day
This year members of the Havering Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) are working with Havering Adult College and Havering Public Health to co-produce a series of short films exploring suicide prevention, hope and lived experience.
The films aim to challenge stigma and encourage open conversations about suicide and mental health.
The films will be screened at Lumiere Cinema on 10 September 2026 as part of the London Borough of Havering’s World Suicide Prevention Day Event. Further information and ticket details to follow.
2025 World Suicide Prevention Day
On 10 September 2025, Havering Public Health hosted a World Suicide Prevention Day conference, in partnership with NELFT, attended by over 100 people from across health, local government, the voluntary sector and the local community.
The event featured presentations from those with lived experience, local and regional suicide prevention partners, and focused on improving awareness, collaboration and practical suicide prevention skills.
2024 World Suicide Prevention Day
In 2024, Havering Public Health delivered a World Suicide Prevention Day learning event for frontline staff and suicide prevention partners.
The session focused on lived experience, suicide prevention awareness, recognising signs of distress, effective conversations and strengthening multi-agency working across Havering.
Suicide prevention information sessions
Commissioned by Public Health,Live Well Havering Health Trainersdeliver suicide prevention information sessions to community groups, organisations and professionals across Havering.
The sessions provide an overview of suicide prevention, risk factors and local data, while building confidence to recognise signs of distress, have supportive conversations and signpost people to appropriate services.
To date, more than 600 people have attended these sessions. To enquire about a session for your team, please contact publichealth@havering.gov.uk.
Lived Experience Communications Campaign
Co-produced with the Havering Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG), this suicide prevention campaign was launched in September 2025 to challenge misconceptions about suicide and encourage help-seeking.
Campaign materials continue to be promoted across community settings, outdoor advertising, social media channels and local media channels, helping to raise awareness and reduce stigma across Havering.
If you are interested in posters for your community space, please contact publichealth@havering.gov.uk.
NEL ICB Health Inequalities Fund –Community Suicide Prevention Training
Though NEL ICB Health Inequalities Funding, Havering Public Health has commissioned suicide prevention training for community-facing professionals and frontline services.
This has included:
- BarberTalk Live training for local barbers.
- HereToTalk training for professionals working in settings such as pubs, betting shops, tattoo studios, hair salons and gyms.
- PTSD999 training for blue-light services, including the Metropolitan Police, London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade.
“I really enjoyed the training, to be able to recognise changes in not only clients but also family and friends has become a valuable life skill that in this day and age is vital.
“If clients reach out to me with issues, I can show them in a direction that will help them get the support they need.
Just being able to talk to your barber and have them listen to your concerns can ease many mental stresses.
“This is a great responsibility for us and the training certainly helped me improve with not only my ability to listen to my clients but also to look for signs that they might be suffering with mental health issues.
“I wholeheartedly recommend the training and support their mission.”
Charlie, Barber, Harold Wood