Suicide prevention

Research specification

Research question 

Which interventions are effective in reducing the rate of suicide and suicide attempts? 

In the England and Wales there are approximately 5,500 registered deaths by suicide each year, and it is estimated that for each suicide, there are 20 suicide attempts. While risk factors for suicide include a previous suicide attempt or mental ill health, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis. There are many factors at the individual, relationship, community and society levels, that can contribute to increased suicide risk. Risk factors for suicide include experience of loss, discrimination, loneliness, deprivation, relationship or financial problems, gambling, alcohol and drug misuse, physical illness and chronic pain, violence and abuse, and other factors. 

Although the current suicide rate in England is not significantly higher than it was in 2012, it is not falling. Rates of suicide have increased among young people and the suicide rate remains three times higher among men than women. In 2023 the Department of Health and Social Care published The Suicide prevention in England: 5-year cross sector strategy highlighting priority groups at higher risk of suicide, including children and young people, middle-aged men, people in contact with the criminal justice system, autistic people, pregnant women and new mothers. However, this is not an exhaustive list and there are other groups that may benefit from bespoke interventions and support. 

We are interested in commissioning research to evaluate interventions aimed at reducing suicide attempts and suicide. Please note that interventions aimed at non-suicidal self-harm, or interventions for people accessing NHS mental health services, are not in remit for this funding opportunity. We are predominantly interested in interventions operating at a population level rather than at an individual level, and interventions should aim to influence the wider determinants of suicide and suicide attempts.  

Examples include (but are not limited to):

• Multiagency interventions aimed at preventing suicide and/or suicide attempts.
• Interventions to prevent suicide and/or suicide attempts by restricting access to the means and methods of suicide.
• Interventions to increase levels of support to people in different forms of crisis which may put them at risk of suicide or suicidal ideation.
• Interventions to prevent suicide and/or suicide attempts in people in contact with the criminal justice system (a single setting or a range of custodial settings may be considered)
• Interventions for groups where there are evidence gaps, such as minority ethnic groups including Gypsy Roma traveller groups; refugees and asylum seekers, people who are LGBTQ+, people who have experienced domestic abuse and people who have experienced harmful gambling. 
• Interventions aimed specifically at a high-risk group. (For example, this may include, but is not limited to, people where financial difficulty/cost of living concerns or alcohol/substance use is increasing the risk of suicide/suicide attempt)
• Interventions aimed at promoting online safety and content to reduce harms, improve support and signposting, and provide helpful messages about suicide. 

Applicants are encouraged to read the guidance notes, paying particular attention to the points highlighted below:

Population (P) – Applicants need to specify and justify their choice of population. We recognise that interventions are likely to impact different (sub)populations in different ways. We expect researchers to consider health inequalities in all applications. 

Intervention (I) – We are predominantly interested in the evaluation of interventions that operate at a population level rather than at an individual level. The PHR Programme does not fund research into the treatment of disease but is interested in research that addresses the wider determinants of health. The description of the intervention may include the setting. 

Comparator (C) – While we recognise that conducting a randomised controlled trial is not necessarily possible or appropriate in many situations, applicants are encouraged to consider including a suitable comparator.

Outcomes (O) –Researchers will need to clearly describe and justify their choice of primary and secondary outcomes. Researchers will need to specify how outcomes will be measured in the short, medium, and long term. Where a primary health outcome is not feasible then intermediary and proxy outcomes are accepted, if appropriately justified. 

Application design 

A range of study designs can be used. Researchers should clearly describe their methodological approach, and the rationale for this approach. We recognise that this funding opportunity is broad and expects researchers to be targeted in their research. Applicants are expected to be aware of other relevant studies in their area of research, to identify the gaps in the existing evidence base, and to articulate why their research is important for decision makers. 

In line with the NIHR principles of inclusion, you must consider inclusion throughout the research lifecycle, and ensure that these considerations are costed appropriately. This includes (but is not limited to): your research design; the participants you recruit and how you have considered diverse, under-served groups and health inequalities, and justified exclusion criteria; research methods; data and statistical analysis; and knowledge mobilisation and dissemination of findings. NIHR welcomes partnerships between research active and other less active institutions and those located in geographical areas of deprivation. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and communities bringing diverse skills and experiences.

Health economics – Understanding the value of public health interventions - whether the outcomes justify their use of resources - is integral to the PHR Programme, where resources relating to different economic sectors and budgets are potentially relevant.  The main outcomes for economic evaluation are expected to include health (including health-related quality of life) and the impact on health inequalities as a minimum, with consideration of broader outcomes welcomed. Different approaches to economic evaluation are encouraged as long as they assess the value and distributive impact of interventions.  Applications that do not include an economic component should provide appropriate justification.

Impact – The Programme is focused on the impact of the research it funds. Researchers are encouraged to maximise the impact of their research by explaining how they will share their findings with policy makers, public health officers, special interest groups, charities, community audiences and other relevant stakeholders. 

The areas of interest set out in this brief refer to people who have experienced harmful gambling. We recognise that funding for interventions come from a range of sources including interventions that are funded through regulatory settlement and the commercial sector. Applicants need to demonstrate the independence of their research from influence by or interaction with the intervention funder and the gambling industry. Applicants will be expected to undertake a clear assessment of the risks and benefits of any interaction before the project begins, in consultation with the Programme. Applicants will be expected to provide a clear written plan on how interactions will be agreed, managed and monitored and how conflicts of interest will be addressed. The Programme will maintain complete transparency on all aspects of interactions in line with existing policies.

Application guidance

Please read our Domestic Outline Application guidance to help you complete all aspects of your application. You must read this alongside the information below, which details specific requirements our PHR Programme looks for in applications. You can also check our PHR Programme page for details about the Programme’s scope and remit. 

Research Plan

Your Research Plan must be a maximum of four A4 pages. Please include the following when writing your Research Plan. 

Methodology/plan

Include the below detail in your methodology/plan:

Application process

Find out how to apply for this funding opportunity and what you need to do to get your application ready.

How to apply 

When you are ready to apply, you will need to log in to our application system to apply. This funding opportunity is on our new Awards Management System and you will need to create a new account to apply.

The closing date is 25 April 2025 at 1pm. Applications received after 1pm on the closing date will not be considered. 

Please read the following guidance before submitting an application:  

• all of the application guidance detailed in the 'application guidance' section in this funding opportunity

Download application form template

You can download a Word document template of the application form below. Please use this template as a guide only, to help you prepare your application. For example, to see how many characters are accepted in each section and to see how information in the form is laid out. Please do not try to use this as an application form; it cannot be submitted as an application. You must submit your application online via our Awards Management System.

Research inclusion and reasonable adjustments

At NIHR we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and communities bringing diverse skills and experiences. If you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, please contact the programme team via the information in the Contact Details tab.

Research Support Service

Got a research idea and not sure how to turn it into a funding application? The free NIHR Research Support Service (RSS) supports researchers in England to apply for funding. It can help you develop and deliver clinical and applied health, social care and public health research post award.

Please speak to the NIHR Specialist Centre for Public Health (SCPH) about the design of your research as soon as possible by completing their online form. A successful application takes a long time (several months) to develop.