Suicide prevention
Suicide prevention is a collection of efforts to reduce the risk of suicide.[1] Suicide is often preventable,[2] and the efforts to prevent it may occur at the individual, relationship, community, and society level.[1] Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have long-lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities. Preventing suicide requires strategies at all levels of society. This includes prevention and protective strategies for individuals, families, and communities. Suicide can be prevented by learning the warning signs, promoting prevention and resilience, and committing to social change.[3]
This article is about primary prevention of suicides. For secondary prevention and intervention, see suicide intervention.
Beyond direct interventions to stop an impending suicide, methods may include:
General efforts include measures within the realms of medicine, mental health, and public health. Because protective factors[4] such as social support and social engagement—as well as environmental risk factors such as access to lethal means— play a role in suicide, suicide is not solely a medical or mental-health issue.[5]
Developing groups led by professionally trained individuals for broad-based support for suicide prevention.
Promoting community-based suicide prevention programs.
Screening and reducing at-risk behavior through psychological resilience programs that promotes and connectedness.
optimism
Education about suicide, including , warning signs, stigma related issues and the availability of help through social campaigns.
risk factors
Increasing the proficiency of health and welfare services at responding to people in need. e.g., sponsored training for helping professionals, increased access to community linkages, employing .
crisis counseling organizations
Reducing and substance abuse through legal and empowerment means are long-term strategies.
domestic violence
Reducing access to convenient and methods of self-harm. e.g., toxic substances, poisons, handguns.
means of suicide
Reducing the quantity of dosages supplied in packages of e.g., aspirin.
non-prescription medicines
.
School-based competency promoting and skill enhancing programs
Interventions and usage of ethical surveillance systems targeted at .
high-risk groups
Improving reporting and portrayals of negative behavior, suicidal behavior, mental illness and substance abuse in the entertainment and news media.
Research on protective factors & development of effective clinical and professional practices.
other mental disorders, or substance abuse disorder
Depression
Certain medical conditions
Chronic pain
[90]
A prior suicide attempt
Family history of a mental disorder or substance abuse
Family history of suicide
Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
Psychiatric Abuse
Benzodiazepines
Having guns or other firearms in the home
Having recently been released from prison, jail or mental asylum
Self-harm
Being exposed to others' suicidal behavior, such as that of family members, peers, or celebrities
[70]
Being male
[91]
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Befrienders Worldwide
Campaign Against Living Miserably
Crisis Text Line
International Association for Suicide Prevention
The Jed Foundation
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Samaritans
Suicide Prevention Action Network USA
Trans Lifeline
The Trevor Project
Economics[edit]
In the United States it is estimated that a suicide results in costs of about $1.3 million.[99] The loss of productivity from the deceased individual accounts for 97 percent of these costs. The remaining 3 percent of the costs were from medical expenses. Money spent on intervention programs is estimated to result in a decrease in economic losses that are 2.5-fold greater than the amount spent. [99]
Pappas, Stephanie (25 Aug 2021). . American Psychological Association
"New research in suicide prevention"
Nancy Boyd-Franklin; Elizabeth N. Cleek; Matt Wofsy; Brian Mundy (2013). . Therapy in the Real World: Effective Treatments for Challenging Problems. Guilford Press. p. 341. ISBN 978-1-4625-1034-4.
"Risk Assessment and Suicide Prevention"
CDC website on Suicide Prevention
provides prevention support, training, and resources to assist organizations and individuals to develop suicide prevention programs, interventions and policies, and to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)
Centre for Suicide Prevention (CSP), Canada
A 32-page guide from SPAN USA, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, and Education Development Center, Inc.
Suicide Prevention:Effectiveness and Evaluation
Organization co-sponsors World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 every year with the World Health Organization (WHO).