UK Government Makes Suicide Prevention Compulsory in Schools from 2026

A significant advancement in suicide prevention education is underway in the UK as the government has announced that suicide prevention will become a compulsory part of the secondary school curriculum from September 2026. This change follows years of campaigning by three fathers, known as the 3 Dads Walking, who lost their daughters to suicide and advocated for mental health awareness and suicide prevention lessons in schools. The new guidance encourages collaboration between schools and mental health professionals to provide age-appropriate discussions on suicide prevention, aiming to equip students with life skills such as resilience and grit. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Washington State University hosted a Youth Suicide Education and Prevention Summit to address youth mental health, bringing together diverse community leaders to share strategies and enhance support systems. The summit also highlighted a peer mentorship program that trains high school students to support their younger peers emotionally. Additionally, dental hygienists are being encouraged to learn the Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) suicide prevention tool to better identify and assist patients experiencing mental health crises, underscoring the broader societal effort to prevent suicide through education and early intervention.