[Are new data collection systems needed to achieve public health and research goals for the prevention of suicide?].
Evaluation of suicide prevention programs, both on the local and national level, is a methodological challenge. In September 2000, France initiated a nation program for suicide prevention. But, as was noted in the Prémutan report and more recently the FNORS report, very few of the hundreds of preventive measures taken annually are evaluated. In addition to this assessment challenge, new data, particularly concerning the different phases of the suicide process, are needed to design new programs, define their objectives with precision, and assure their implementation. For example, if the objective is to improve prevention in men aged 25-54 years who suffer from a state of depression, alcohol abuse, impulsive personality disorders, and life events implicating loss, the necessary information is currently unavailable or sparse. The lack of data and research in this domain can be grouped into several categories: lack of proper definition and quantification of the objectives; insufficient study of the mechanisms by which prevention measures are effective: lack of monitoring tools providing information on the rate of implementation of planned actions. These arguments demonstrate the need for collecting new information to develop a dynamic prevention program. Such data collection should be synchronized, conducted by a wide range of actors, and concern multiple actions. Without a coherent information system, it is doubtful the current impetus for the prevention of suicide can be sustained.
Terra
J L
JL
Centre Hospitalier le Vinatier, 95, bd Pinel, 69677 Bron cedex, France.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism; D003625:Data Collection; D003863:Depression; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health; D012106:Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
Les questions de santé publique et de recherche qui se posent dans le domaine de la prévention du suicide justifient-elles de nouveaux recueils de données?