National Suicide-Prevention Strategy for Malta 2025-2030

Suicide is a significant and complex public health problem which claims the lives of over 700,000 persons annually (WHO, 2021). Suicides are preventable. There are several measures that can be taken at population, subpopulation, and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. The reduction of suicide mortality has been prioritised as a global target by the World Health Organization (WHO), after being outlined as an indicator in the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals under target 3.4 (UN, 2017), in WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work 2019–2023 (UN, 2017) and in the WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2020 (WHO, 2013). Through the establishment of such targets, the WHO aims to prevent the tragedy of suicide from persisting to permeate the lives of millions of individuals through the loss of loved ones (WHO, 2021). 

This is the first National Suicide Prevention Strategy for Malta, which has been produced by National Mental Health Services, under the auspices of the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing, in collaboration with valued stakeholders from several disciplines. The inclusion of experts by experience in the consultation process has deeply enriched the meaning and direction of this strategy. Consultations with professionals and agencies from the areas of health, mental health, social welfare, education, law enforcement, the media, and marginalised groups have provided a comprehensive vision for extensive suicide prevention and early intervention efforts. 

This strategy builds on the principles and actions underpinning the Mental Health Strategy for Malta 2020-2030 (Ministry for Health, 2019), which commits to a whole-of-government approach towards suicide prevention. This strategy is planned over a five-year period until 2030, given the rapidly evolving facade of our national population and its implications for mental healthcare, keeping in context our increasing multiculturalism and varied post-COVID-19 effects.

We invite the public to contribute to the public consultation process by providing feedback through the online form below. The consultation document can be found at https://health.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/National_Suicide-Prevention_Strategy_for_Malta_2025-2030.pdf .