The Bristol Suicide and Self-harm (SASH) research group is co-led by Dr Becky Mars, Dr Duleeka Knipe and Dr Lucy Biddle, and is hosted within the Centre for Academic Mental Health at the University of Bristol. SASH is one of the leading self-harm and suicide research groups in the UK and has an excellent reputation for conducting high quality impactful research. Our work is multidisciplinary and collaborative, bringing together expertise in psychiatry, epidemiology, public health, psychology, statistics, and social science. The SASH group includes a vibrant community of quantitative, qualitative and clinical researchers whose common aim is to better understand the causes and experiences of self-harm and suicidal behaviour so as to inform clinical and population-based prevention and intervention strategies.
Our goal is to carry out research that contributes to self-harm and suicide prevention in the UK and globally using robust research evidence.
We provide a flourishing and supportive environment to those interested in suicide and self-harm research, with access to excellent training, mentorship and development opportunities. We have received support from a wide range of funding bodies including the National Institute for Health Research, the Wellcome trust, the Medical Research, Council, The Medical Research Foundation, the Economic and Social Research Council, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Samaritans, and UK Government.
The group has strong national and international links with leading academics, practitioners, policy makers and charities working in self-harm and suicide research. We work with many different stakeholders including third sector organisations, those with lived experience, and policy makers.
Within Bristol, we have close links with the NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre; the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West; the MRC Integrated Epidemiology Unit, and local NHS and Government Bodies; Dr Mars and Dr Biddle co-lead the Bristol Health Partners Self-harm Matters Health Integration Team (HIT).
Nationally we work with the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA – Dr Knipe is a steering member), Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention, Samaritans and Papyrus. Internationally we collaborate closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), and the Suicide and Self-harm Research group in Sri Lanka.
We are keen to hear from people interested in suicide and self-harm research, including prospective students, research fellows, collaborators and those with lived experience.
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @SASHBristol
We do not provide a treatment service or advice for those in crisis. If you are in crisis or feeling suicidal, we urge you to seek help from your GP or family and friends. You can also call the Samaritans helpline for free (116 123) in the UK.
Please click here for a list of support agencies in the UK, and here for a list of international organisations.