WARNING, this subject could cause distress
After Cyngor Gwynedd united before Christmas to state that the council is working to dispel the social stigma around suicide, councillors in Ceredigion Council have joined the same call.
A motion was presented in Gwynedd by Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Leader, Councillor Nia Jeffreys, working with Councillor Elin Walker Jones who has been working to raise the profile of suicide prevention since losing her brother to suicide a few years ago.
Explaining the background of the motion to show support for the principles of the Welsh Government's Suicide Prevention Strategy, serious figures regarding the current situation were shared.
- 15 in 100,000 people have died by suicide in Wales in 2024
- 14 in 100,000 people have died by suicide in 2023
- Suicide is the main cause of death for young people up to the age of 35 according to figures by charity Papyrus
- Middle-aged men between the ages of 30-44 in Wales are most likely to kill themselves. 76% of the deaths by suicide were men.
- There are links between poverty and suicide; 15 in 100,000 people who ended their life by suicide lived in deprived areas
- The main factors associated with suicide are poverty, unemployment, mental and physical health issues, grief, abuse, isolation, relationship problems, alcohol and substance abuse.
- Suicide is preventable, and support is available.
Councillor Nia Jeffreys said: "This is a sensitive and difficult subject for many of us, but it is important to raise awareness of this health issue, reduce stigma, and do everything we can to prevent suicide.
“By adopting the principles and implement the Welsh Government's suicide and self-harm prevention strategy, passing the motion commits the council to doing all it can to prevent suicide.
“By implementing policies that support individuals, prevent suicide and empower council structures, it will be the start of this journey in Gwynedd.”
The motion identified opportunities within the county's schools to discuss suicide as an aspect of mental health discussion, in the context of personal, inter-related and social education. Such discussions will equip pupils to look after themselves and other people. The education will be presented in a sensitive manner, by teachers who have the appropriate support, supervision and training to present such education.
The Councillors have been working with Mike Palmer, one of the three fathers who founded '3 Dads Walking' following the loss of their daughters to suicide a few years ago. The three fathers, Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen set up their initiative to raise awareness of suicide and raise money to suicide prevention.
Councillor Elin Walker Jones said: "We cannot hide from these complex issues that affect our residents. Together, we can break stigma, bring the subject to our homes, to our offices, schools, villages and to fields. And by opening the door, and reaching out, we support each other to face the challenges that many are facing.
"I am grateful to Councillors in Gwynedd and Ceredigion for their support in passing this proposal. And I am pleased that there is unanimous support to work on this.
Councillor Nia Jeffreys said that Plaid Cymru leaders in other county councils are planning to bring similar proposals before their council chambers too, so it is hoped that other councils across Wales will join Gwynedd and Ceredigion in raising the issue.
Councillor Nia Jeffreys added: “Together, here in Gwynedd, Ceredigion and beyond, we can push for change, shatter stigma and support individuals and communities who suffer as a result of suicide.”
If you are affected by the issues in the discussion, help is available by calling 111 (and choosing number 2)
Alternatively you can contact PAPYRUS (Prevention of young suicide)
Contact HOPELINE247 by phone, text, email or chat on the website.
Call 0800 068 4141
Text 88247
Email [email protected]
When the chat on the website is live, "Live Chat" appears.
north west Wales Samaritans
Call free 0808 164 0123
Welsh line 1900 - 2300 every day
English Line 116 123
24 hours every day
In rural Wales, charities Tir Dewi and The DPJ Foundation also offer support.
Tir Dewi: 0800 121 47 22
(7:00am-22:00)
The DPJ: 07984169652
Get Help: 0800 587 4262 neu tecstiwch/text 07860 048799
Ebost: [email protected]
Background to the Proposal
The Welsh Government's Suicide and Self Harm strategy was published in 2025.
“Self‑harm and suicide have a devastating impact on families, loved ones, professionals and communities. Suicide is preventable and our ambitions for both suicide and self‑harm can be achieved if managed in a safe and non‑judgemental way. The response does not belong to any one sector and instead we need to adopt a public health approach to achieve our ambitions driven by effective leadership and support." (Welsh Government, 2025).
The adoption of the strategy takes place within the context of a Healthier Wales (2024), adopting values that proactively support people, and extend to those who need the most support, in order to reduce the inequality and give everyone a fair chance.