The Feasibility, Acceptability, and Perceived Need for Suicide Initiatives for Children in UK Primary Schools
- 1Liverpool John Moores University
Abstract
Background: Currently, there are no specific suicide prevention programmes for primary (elementary) schools within the UK. However, given the rise in suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours amongst children under 11 years, the feasibility, acceptability, and perceived need for these programmes need to be assessed. Aims: This qualitative scoping study aimed to explore whether there is a perceived need for suicide prevention programmes in primary schools and, if so, what these should look like. Sample(s) & Methods: 92 participants took part in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with mental health professionals (N= 22), school staff (N= 8), and parents of children who had experienced suicidal ideation, behaviours, or been bereaved by suicide (N=7). Focus groups were conducted with secondary school students (N= 36) and primary school students (N= 19) across 5 schools. Data were analysed using thematic framework analysis. Results: Three main themes were identified: 1) the necessity of suicide prevention programmes for primary schools, 2) barriers affecting delivery and potential solutions, 3) the transition period from primary to secondary school. Conclusion: Overall, participants supported the need and acceptability of suicide prevention programmes for primary schools, particularly due to the rising concerns about suicidality among younger children and evidence that suicide-related discussions are already occurring within peer groups. However, careful consideration needs to be given to ensure it is delivered in a safe and age-appropriate way, with a focus on dispelling myths, promoting help seeking, and increasing knowledge.
Related
- Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Outcomes of a Group-Based Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Protocol for Suicide Prevention in a Brazilian Public Mental Health Service: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study.
- Feasibility and acceptability of the Multi-Modal Approach to Preventing Suicide in Schools (MAPSS) programme in England: a cluster-randomised controlled trial
- A pilot mixed-methods process evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the Familia Bora parenting program for couples with young children in Mwanza, Tanzania.
- Usability, acceptability and feasibility of continuous glucose monitoring among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Kenya
- Ensuring quality in research, 'Authorship Effect' & Conflict of Interest. Response submitted to BMJ Mental Health in response to 'Clinician perspectives on the utility and acceptability of OxSATS: a qualitative study of a novel structured suicide risk assessment tool
BibTeX
@misc{salam2026feasibility,
title = {{The Feasibility, Acceptability, and Perceived Need for Suicide Initiatives for Children in UK Primary Schools}},
author = {B. Abdul Salam and P. Saini and M. McCarthy and N. Smith and E. Ashworth},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.64898/2026.11.03.26367158},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.03.26367158v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - The Feasibility, Acceptability, and Perceived Need for Suicide Initiatives for Children in UK Primary Schools
AU - B. Abdul Salam
AU - P. Saini
AU - M. McCarthy
AU - N. Smith
AU - E. Ashworth
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.11.03.26367158
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.03.26367158v1
AB - Background: Currently, there are no specific suicide prevention programmes for primary (elementary) schools within the UK. However, given the rise in suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours amongst children under 11 years, the feasibility, acceptability, and perceived need for these programmes need to be assessed. Aims: This qualitative scoping study aimed to explore whether there is a perceived need for suicide prevention programmes in primary schools and, if so, what these should look like. Sample(s) & Methods: 92 participants took part in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with mental health professionals (N= 22), school staff (N= 8), and parents of children who had experienced suicidal ideation, behaviours, or been bereaved by suicide (N=7). Focus groups were conducted with secondary school students (N= 36) and primary school students (N= 19) across 5 schools. Data were analysed using thematic framework analysis. Results: Three main themes were identified: 1) the necessity of suicide prevention programmes for primary schools, 2) barriers affecting delivery and potential solutions, 3) the transition period from primary to secondary school. Conclusion: Overall, participants supported the need and acceptability of suicide prevention programmes for primary schools, particularly due to the rising concerns about suicidality among younger children and evidence that suicide-related discussions are already occurring within peer groups. However, careful consideration needs to be given to ensure it is delivered in a safe and age-appropriate way, with a focus on dispelling myths, promoting help seeking, and increasing knowledge.
ER -