Our Impact in 2024/25: Families Voices Forum

Throughout the year the Families Voices Forum (FVF), which is made up of individuals and families bereaved by suicide, has maintained strong momentum. Over the period we have supported members to participate in policy improvement and research collaboration. The FVF has worked on veteran suicidality research with Queens University, the development of Suicide Prevention Care Pathways with Health and Social Care and Toward Zero Suicide, and consulted on the Northern Ireland Prison Service’s bereavement protocol.

The Forum continues to play an important role in shaping and developing Protect Life 2, Northern Ireland’s suicide prevention strategy and action plan. The Forum is now embedded into the core governance structure of the Protect Life 2 Action Plan. This ensures that the voices of lived experience will shape the landscape of suicide prevention in the coming years.

At the most recent Forum event the spotlight was firmly on the power of youth voices in suicide prevention and postvention. This momentum will drive the Forum’s commitment to amplifying these voices even further through collaborative initiatives. Looking ahead the FVF is actively expanding its reach, working to strengthen representation from youth and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as from the Traveller community to ensure that every voice is heard and empowered through this critical work.