Staying Safe: lessons from suicide prevention for chiropractors and osteopaths

Suicide remains a major cause of preventable death worldwide. A recent guidance document from NHS England (Staying Safe from Suicide, 2025) highlights the limitations of traditional suicide risk prediction methods and advocates for a relational, person-centred approach. While not mental health specialists, chiropractors and osteopaths often work closely with individuals facing musculoskeletal chronic pain, disability, financial stress, and social isolation, all of which are risk factors for psychological distress. This commentary explores how the NHS guidance offers key lessons for chiropractic and osteopathic practice. Valuable contributions to suicide prevention efforts can be made by fostering strong therapeutic relationships, adopting a biopsychosocial view of health, and encouraging help-seeking behaviours where needed. Through small, relational actions, practitioners can support patient wellbeing while working within the boundaries of their professional scope of practice.