New chair appointed to National Suicide Prevention Advisory Group

Suicide Prevention Scotland
5 min readNov 20, 2024

Scottish Government, COSLA and Scotland’s National Suicide Prevention Advisory Group (NSPAG) today (20 November 2024) announce the appointment of Christine Goodall as it’s new chair.

Professor Goodall’s appointment has been confirmed by Minister for Mental Wellbeing Maree Todd and COSLA’s spokesperson for Health & Social Care, Councillor Paul Kelly following a competitive process, which included someone with lived and living experience of suicide.

The National Suicide Prevention Advisory Group provides independent advice to the Scottish Government, COSLA and Suicide Prevention Scotland on the delivery of the Scottish Government and COSLA’s Creating Hope Together: Scotland’s ten year suicide prevention strategy.

Members of the group are selected because of their understanding aboutthe complexities and inequalities of suicide, these are critical to achieving the strategy’s vision of reducing suicide whilst tackling the inequalities which contribute to suicide.

The group also offers an independent assessment of progress on delivery of this ambitious strategy. Taken together, the group’s advice and assessment of progress is allowing the suicide prevention strategy to achieve most impact.

Suicide Prevention Scotland is the community of people and organisations that work together to deliver the strategy, Creating Hope Together.

In 2008, Christine founded Medics Against Violence (MAV) which now runs a range of violence reduction programmes in hospitals, communities and schools. This includes the Navigators and Youth Navigators programmes.

As a surgeon, an academic and an innovator in her work around violence reduction, Christine has been instrumental in making change that improves peoples’ lives.

“I’m honoured to be asked to take on the role because it is such important work,” Christine said.

“I am very conscious I have big shoes to fill with Rose Fitzpatrick moving after having such an impact.

“I think we are in a good space to be a critical friend to the suicide prevention movement in Scotland, building on the work so far. I will bring a new perspective as someone who works in academia and the NHS, but this is not just about me.

“We have excellent people from many different spheres with professional experience that will be able to meaningfully contribute to our work.”

Christine was inspired to apply for the role after meeting and working with two different families who had been bereaved by suicide.

John & Isobel Gibson lost their son Cameron to suicide in 2019.

Emily, the daughter of Fiona & Germain Drouet died by suicide after experiencing gender based violence whilst studying at university in Aberdeen.

Both parents set up charities, The Canmore Trust and EmilyTest in memory of their beloved children.

Christine attended a roundtable discussion with staff from Who Cares? Scotland, a charity that supports care experienced people to have their voice heard

“John Gibson taught me as a student, and was a colleague until he stepped away to set up the charity in Cameron’s memory,” explains Christine.

“I met Fiona Drouet from EmilyTest after she spoke at a Medics Against Violence conference five years ago.

“I actually introduced them to each other, as I thought they could help each other.”

“Both families made a huge impact on me, their stories, their resilience, and how they have turned something so dreadful into something so positive.

“They are two who have driven me on to do this.”

John Gibson expressed his delight that Christine has been appointed to her role.

“All of us at The Canmore Trust congratulate Christine on her appointment to this pivotal role as chair of the National Suicide Prevention Advisory Group,” he said.

“I have known Christine for many years and have been inspired by her sense of public duty.

Who Cares? Scotland CEO Louise Hunter is a member of NSPAG

“The work with Medics Against Violence has achieved international acclaim so she comes to this post with a proven track record of innovation and leadership.

“She knew our son Cameron, whom we lost to suicide in 2019, and she has travelled our grief journey with us.

“It was Christine who first introduced me to Fiona Drouet and that has been a powerful friendship, benefiting us personally, our families and the charities we serve.

“We wish Christine every success as she takes up this new role and, most importantly, and as a result, may we see suicide numbers in Scotland start to fall.”

The session at Who Caraes? Scotland afforded Christine the opportunity to learn about the impact of being care experienced and how it may heighten risk of suicide

Fiona Drouet was equally positive about the news.

“Congratulations to Christine on her appointment as Chair of the National Suicide Prevention Advisory Group,” she said.

“I first met Christine when she invited me to deliver a lecture at a Medics Against Violence (MAV) conference, and it was clear how deeply committed she is to ensuring better outcomes for everyone.

“My admiration for Christine and the work of MAV has only grown since that day.

“Christine introduced me to my close friend John Gibson, helping both of us find light in our darkest times after losing our children to suicide.

“Knowing Christine, I am confident she will lead Scotland’s suicide prevention strategy with both determination and urgency. I look forward to the positive impact she will have on countless lives as we work together to reduce the number of precious lives lost to suicide each day.”

If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help, speak to someone you trust or call one of these helplines:

  • Samaritans 116 123 or use the online chat at samaritans.org
  • Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87
  • NHS 24 mental health hub on 111

If you are ever in immediate danger or have the means to cause yourself harm you should dial 999 and request an ambulance.

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Suicide Prevention Scotland
Suicide Prevention Scotland

Written by Suicide Prevention Scotland

Working to deliver Creating Hope Together, the Scottish Government and COSLA's suicide prevention strategy.

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