Specialist on Suicide Believes: 'Several Suicide Cases Could Be Avoided!' - Expert on Suicide Prevention Advocates for Implementation of Effective Strategies to Reduce Number of Suicides
Reducing Suicide Rates: Strategies for Effective Prevention
By Verena Carl | 6-minute read
A conversation with a suicide prevention podcast expert sheds light on the practicalities and importance of implementing comprehensive strategies to save lives.
What are your thoughts on addressing such a critical issue?
The discussion revolves around four key areas for reducing suicide rates: assessment and screening, interventions, safety planning and support, and community engagement.
Assessment and Screening
To effectively identify individuals at risk, healthcare professionals should adopt evidence-based screening tools such as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Assessments that consider mental health, behavioral, and environmental factors are essential in determining those at risk.
Interventions
Both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions play crucial roles in managing suicidal behaviors. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) have proven effective in this regard. For those with borderline personality disorder, DBT is particularly beneficial. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly utilized to treat depression and suicidal ideation, requiring close monitoring. Short-term interventions like the WHO BIC Program have demonstrated significant reductions in suicide rates.
Safety Planning and Support
Developing personalized safety plans allows individuals to manage critical moments. Regular follow-up appointments, social support networks, and ongoing care are vital for maintaining mental health.
Community and Collaborative Models
Integrated primary care, psychiatry, and therapy through collaborative care models can significantly improve outcomes. The Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) has been effective in reducing suicidal ideation. Engaging communities and service providers can unify efforts to improve results, as demonstrated in the National Suicide Prevention Strategy in Australia.
Training and Resources
Comprehensive training in suicide prevention, incorporating both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, is essential for healthcare professionals. Access to resources like crisis teams and hotlines is vital for prompt interventions.
By implementing these strategies, healthcare professionals can reduce suicide rates and provide comprehensive support to those at risk.
In the context of reducing suicide rates, scientifically-backed screening tools like the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) should be incorporated into community and healthcare policies. For effective intervention, evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be employed, while also emphasizing mental health and wellness as part of an overall health-and-wellness approach that includes mental-health, therapies-and-treatments, and community engagement.
