Lost Futures: Why Suicide Prevention Must Start with Tackling Poverty

On 1st April, Samaritans NI launched our latest policy research report: Lost Futures: Poverty, Inequality and Suicidality in Northern Ireland. Based on in-depth research by Just Economics, the report explores the complex and deeply entrenched relationship between poverty and suicide. At its heart is a simple, urgent message: suicide prevention is not just a health issue—it is a poverty issue.

In 2023, 221 people in Northern Ireland died by suicide. Suicide rates in our most deprived areas are three times higher than in the least deprived. That’s not a coincidence—it’s a consequence. A consequence of rising child poverty, of chronic underfunding in mental health services, of proposed cuts to disability benefits, and of systems that leave people behind.

For too long, suicide prevention has focused solely on crisis intervention. Of course, mental health services, helplines, and therapies are vital. But they cannot tackle the underlying drivers of despair—like low wages, debt, housing insecurity, and stigma. Our research shows that poverty is not only a material hardship; it’s emotionally exhausting. It chips away at self-worth, erodes resilience, and isolates people when they need support most.

The report sets out a series of Levers of Change—practical policy actions across departments that could help reverse this trend. These include a fully funded Anti-Poverty Strategy, investment in childcare, reforms to Universal Credit, the introduction of a Minimum Income Standard, and cross-departmental suicide prevention work.

But we cannot talk about suicide prevention in Northern Ireland without acknowledging the bigger picture. Services are being cut while need is growing. Child poverty remains stubbornly high, and benefit changes risk deepening inequality for disabled people. These aren’t abstract policy concerns—they are public health risks.

Behind every statistic is a person. Someone’s child, partner, friend. That’s why the title of our report is Lost Futures. Because every life lost is a future cut short—one that could have been lived, if only the right support had been in place.

We are asking government to treat this with the seriousness it deserves. That means every department, not just Health, must step up. It means policies in housing, education, social security, and the economy must be shaped with suicide prevention in mind.

This is not about pointing fingers—it’s about building a system that works better. One that listens, supports, and intervenes earlier. One that prioritises dignity and opportunity. And one that ensures no one feels so alone, or so hopeless, that suicide becomes the only way out.

You can read the full Lost Futures report on the Samaritans NI website: https://www.samaritans.org/ni/about-samaritans/research-policy-ni/lost-futures/

Every Minister, Every Department, Every Policy.

Ellen Finlay is the Policy & Development Manager, Samaritans Northern Ireland