Effective strategies for suicide prevention in New Zealand: a review of the evidence.
A national suicide prevention strategy for New Zealand was developed in 2006. There is relatively little strong evidence for the efficacy of many existing suicide prevention initiatives, and this area has frequently been captured by strong claims about the effectiveness of programmes that have not been adequately evaluated. This paper provides a conceptual framework for classifying suicide prevention initiatives, reviews evidence for their effectiveness, and makes recommendations for initiatives to be undertaken as part of suicide prevention activities in New Zealand. The available evidence thus far suggests that the most promising interventions likely to be effective in reducing suicidal behaviours are medical practitioner and gatekeeper education, and restriction of access to lethal means of suicide. This evidence also suggests a clear agenda for research, which includes evaluating interventions and prevention programmes, developing model and demonstration projects, identifying meaningful outcome measures, and refining and identifying the critical elements of effective programmes.
Beautrais
Annette
A
Christchurch School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Otago, Christchurch. suicide@chmeds.ac.nz
Fergusson
David
D
Coggan
Carolyn
C
Collings
Catherine
C
Doughty
Carolyn
C
Ellis
Pete
P
Hatcher
Simon
S
Horwood
John
J
Merry
Sally
S
Mulder
Roger
R
Poulton
Richie
R
Surgenor
Lois
L
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D009520:New Zealand; D012944:Social Support; D000092864:Suicide Prevention