The German Society for Suicide Prevention (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Suizidprävention, or DGS) has been a powerful force in Germany’s mental health landscape since 1972. From the development of suicide prevention measures to connecting experts and shaping national conversations, the DGS is dedicated to making sure help reaches those who need it most — and that suicide-related challenges are addressed with care, science, and compassion.

Over the decades, the organization has evolved into a vital platform for collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. Through national conferences, publications, and outreach, the DGS ensures suicide prevention remains part of the broader public discourse. But with increasing demand and a rapidly shifting healthcare environment, it recognized the need to strengthen its internal capabilities and future-proof its operations.
To grow its impact and keep up with evolving needs, the organization wanted to take a step back and look inward – refining its vision and mission, sharpening its strategy, and building a structure that would support it well into the future. That’s where we came in.

Strategic support for suicide prevention in Germany

Over six weeks, we worked closely with the DGS team to help clarify its vision, mission, and strategic goals. From there, we co-created a fresh operating model, redesigned the organization’s structure, and strengthened its internal processes and governance. Our recommendations were informed by a mix of internal and external expert interviews, a detailed analysis of the current setup, and robust benchmarking against similar institutions in the field.

The board leaned in, made key decisions together, and committed to a clear way forward. We also developed a practical implementation roadmap to guide the DGS through short- and medium-term priorities, ensuring momentum wasn’t lost after strategy sessions ended.
This will lead to a more focused, better-aligned, and future-ready organization. For the most urgent areas, we also created step-by-step action plans, with clearly defined roles, timelines, and resources – enabling the team to move forward with confidence.
 

Now, with stronger foundations in place, the DGS is in a great position to scale its work and deepen its impact. It’s ready to grow, lead, and continue being a voice of compassion and action in the field of suicide prevention – helping more people, shaping better policy, and sparking the conversations that really matter.