National program for suicide prevention in Sweden

On January 10, 2025, the Swedish government announced a new national strategy for mental health and suicide prevention. The strategy, which spans over 10 years (2025–2034), includes both preventive and promotional efforts to improve mental health and reduce suicide.

"It's About Life: National Strategy for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention" (sve. Det handlar om livet – nationell strategi inom området psykisk hälsa och suicidprevention) addresses that mental health and suicide prevention concern the entire society, should be integrated into all relevant policy areas, and require multiple efforts to promote, prevent, and improve the living conditions for people with mental health issues.

The strategy is also complemented by an action plan for the implementation of the national strategy in the field of mental health and suicide prevention for the period 2025–2026, with concrete measures to help achieve the strategy's vision, goals, and sub-goals.

Vision 

A society that promotes good and equal mental health for the entire population, where no one should find themselves in a situation where the only perceived way out is suicide.

Goals

  • Improved mental health across the entire population.
  • Fewer lives lost to suicide.
  • Reduced preventable disparities in mental health.
  • Reduced negative consequences due to psychiatric conditions.

Sub-goals

  1. Increased focus on strengthening mental well-being and mental health as a resource for individuals and society.
  2. Increased investments in children and youth for good mental health throughout life.
  3. An inclusive and sustainable working life that promotes mental health.
  4. An inclusive society with engaged citizens.
  5. Healthcare and social services that meet the needs of patients and users.
  6. Strengthened suicide prevention efforts.
  7. Enhanced knowledge development in the field of mental health and suicide prevention.

Priority Areas 

Under each sub-goal in the strategy, several priorities are identified to guide the planning, implementation, and follow-up of efforts at national, local, and regional levels, as well as among other relevant actors. 

  • Early identification of individuals in difficult life situations to reduce social and economic risk factors associated with suicide and suicide attempts.
  • Providing safe healthcare and social services for those at risk of suicide.
  • Reducing access to methods and means for suicide.
  • Coordinating efforts during acute suicidal events.
  • Reducing stigma and increasing knowledge about suicide and suicidality.
  • Developing support for individuals who have attempted suicide, their relatives, and survivors after suicide.
  • Developing research for knowledge development in all sub-goals of the strategy.
  • Promoting closer connections between research, policy, and practice.
  • Improving opportunities for follow-up.
  • Developing digital tools for individuals and community actors.
  • Expanding international cooperation and knowledge and experience exchange.