National Conference Suicide Prevention and Self Harm 2025

The National Suicide and Self Harm Prevention conference was held on Thursday 6th  March 2025 at Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel

The event was chaired by Professor Ann John, and joined by Sarah Murphy MS Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing as well as a number of experts by experience and profession.

The key notes and workshops had a broad focus from evidence and policy, to practical skills and training, delivered by range of organisations and sectors.

Morning sessions: Understanding Self-harm

Self Harm

Professor Ann John, Professor of Public Health and Psychiatry | Swansea University Medical School


Morning Workshops

Trauma informed approaches and self-harm: Delivering a compassionate response

Lowri Wyn Jones – Time to Change Wales  

Katie Brown – Traumatic Stress Wales Network 

Yvonne Raybone – Traumatic Stress Wales Network

Safety Planning: the what and the how

Becky Temple-Purcell, Hywel Dda UHB  

Orla Adams, Motivational Interviewing  

Responding to self-harm in young adults aged 16-25

  David Heald, PAPYRUS

Supporting young people who self-harm 

Si Martin, Heads Above the Waves (HATW)

Afternoon Sessions: Understanding Suicide and implications for prevention

Suicide Prevention: A collaborative approach 

ACC Charlie Doyle, British Transport Police  

RTSSS – What we are learning about suspected suicides in Wales

Dr Rosalind Reilly, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at Public Health Wales 

Working in Partnership

Chris Cousens, Water Safety Lead for Wales, RNLI


Afternoon Workshops

Domestic Abuse: Opportunities for Prevention

DCI Chris Grey, South Wales Police  

Anne-Marie Curtis, Stori    

Support after Suicide

Geraint Thomas, National Advisory and Liaison Service  

Meinir Evans, Canolfan Felin Fach 

Substance Use and Suicide: opportunities for prevention  

Andrew Misell, Alcohol Change UK

Wales: a nation of listeners  

Keith Bowen, Samaritans Cymru