title: Effective strategies for suicide prevention in New Zealand: a review of the evidence.
abstract: 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.
authors: Christchurch School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Otago, Christchurch. suicide@chmeds.ac.nz
authors: Annette
authors: A
authors: Beautrais
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Fergusson
authors: Carolyn
authors: C
authors: Coggan
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Collings
authors: Carolyn
authors: C
authors: Doughty
authors: Pete
authors: P
authors: Ellis
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Hatcher
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Horwood
authors: Sally
authors: S
authors: Merry
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: Mulder
authors: Richie
authors: R
authors: Poulton
authors: Lois
authors: L
authors: Surgenor
mesh_terms: 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