Suicide Prevention Research: How Informed Interventions Can Save Lives
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 726,000 people per year die by suicide. Much has been done in recent years to fight the stigma surrounding mental health challenges. However, some people may still feel hesitant to reach out for help when they experience depression or other mental health conditions, while others may not be able to connect with mental health services—both of which may increase risk of suicide. Below, we’ll explore the latest suicide prevention research, ways to assess suicide risk, and ways that people can get help when experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts.
What’s the latest in suicide prevention research?
While many think this approach might seem challenging to implement, research suggests that it can help identify more people who may be at risk of suicide, potentially decreasing suicide rates over time by connecting these individuals with support resources.
The ASQ tool for assessing suicide risk
One older study looked at the use of a screening tool called Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) with pediatric patients between ages 10 and 21. The ASQ tool used consisted of four questions related to “current thoughts of being better off dead, current wish to die, current suicidal ideation, and past suicide attempt.” A response of “yes” to any one of those questions helped identify 97% of youth who met the criteria for having a clinically significant risk of suicide, as measured by a 30-question suicide risk questionnaire. Also, the ASQ only took about 20 seconds to administer. Brief tools like this to screen for risk factors may help reduce the number of suicide deaths around the country.
How can suicidality be detected?
Suicidality can sometimes be difficult to detect. Some people may be afraid to talk about what they’re feeling, thinking, or experiencing. However, some signs may reveal that a person might be experiencing suicidal thoughts.
For example, sometimes the language of a person can reveal suicidal ideation. Some people may talk about feeling strong shame or guilt. Others might say that they feel like a burden to others and may even talk about wanting to die.
Other people may not say anything that reveals suicidal ideation, but they might begin acting differently. For example, they might give away personal possessions and say goodbye to friends or family. Some people might use substances more than normal or engage in other dangerous behavior, such as driving excessively fast. They may also look up ways to die on the internet, which may only be possible to detect if they don’t erase their browser history.
The national strategy to prevent suicide
In 2024, the US Department of Health and Human Services published a National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. The strategy lists a suicide prevention goal set of 15 different aims across four strategic directions, as outlined below. These reflect and are based on up-to-date suicide prevention research.
“Strategic Direction 1: Community-Based Suicide Prevention
“Goal 1: Establish effective, broad-based, collaborative, and sustainable suicide prevention partnerships.
Goal 2: Support upstream comprehensive community-based suicide prevention.
Goal 3: Reduce availability of lethal means among people at risk of suicide.
Goal 4: Conduct postvention and support people with suicide-centered lived experience.
Goal 5: Integrate suicide prevention into the culture of the workplace and into other community settings.
Goal 6: Build and sustain suicide prevention infrastructure at the state, tribal, local, and territorial levels.
Goal 7: Implement research-informed suicide prevention communication activities in diverse populations using best practices from communication science.
Strategic Direction 2: Treatment and Crisis Services
Goal 8: Implement effective suicide prevention services as a core component of health care.
Goal 9: Improve the quality and availability of crisis care services across all communities.
Strategic Direction 3: Surveillance, Quality Improvement, and Research
Goal 10: Improve the quality, timeliness, scope, usefulness, and availability of data needed for suicide-related surveillance, research, evaluation, and quality improvement.
Goal 11: Promote and support research on suicide prevention.
Strategic Direction 4: Health Equity in Suicide Prevention
Goal 12: Embed health equity into all comprehensive suicide prevention activities.
Goal 13: Implement comprehensive suicide prevention strategies for populations disproportionately affected by suicide, with a focus on historically marginalized communities, persons with suicide-centered lived experience, and youth.
Goal 14: Create an equitable and diverse suicide prevention workforce that is equipped and supported to address the needs of the communities they serve.
Goal 15: Improve and expand effective suicide prevention programs for populations disproportionately impacted by suicide across the life span through improved data, research, and evaluation.”
How can individuals help prevent suicide?
Reaching the above goals may help communities reduce the number of suicide deaths and attempts each year. However, many people may also wonder what they can do individually to prevent suicide. Note that a person cannot always prevent suicide in others, but some strategies may help reduce the risk. Here are just a few examples:
- Encourage open, nonjudgmental communication about mental health
- Gently encourage those experiencing mental health challenges to seek professional help
- Support organizations that aim to increase the availability of and equity in mental health care
- Check in on friends and family regularly and offer emotional support when possible
- Reduce the availability of lethal means in the home
What to do in a crisis situation
During a mental health crisis when someone is actively experiencing suicidal thoughts, they can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available via phone, text, or live chat, in English and in Spanish. Assistance is also available for those who believe or know that someone else may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Preventing suicide outside of a crisis situation
Outside of a crisis, people experiencing depression—a common cause of suicidal thoughts—or other conditions or symptoms may benefit from speaking with a licensed mental health professional. A therapist may be able to help with symptoms by using an approach like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The aim of CBT is to teach the client how to identify and challenge inaccurate thoughts about themselves or the world. A therapist can also help individuals adopt healthy coping strategies for distress and other strong emotions.
Online mental health care for depression
Some people experiencing depression may not feel well enough to leave home for therapy sessions. However, there is still help available through online therapy. With an online therapy platform, individuals living with depression can speak with a licensed therapist via phone, video call, or live chat from home or anywhere they have internet. They can also reach out to their therapist at any time via in-app messaging, and the therapist will respond as soon as they can. Those living with depression may find this feature helpful if they experience negative thoughts between therapy sessions, though individuals should call 988 instead for suicidal thoughts.
What does research say about online mental health services?
Numerous peer-reviewed studies have indicated the potential effectiveness of online therapy for treating several mental health disorders, including depression. For example, one meta-analysis published in 2020 suggests that online therapy can be even more effective than traditional in-person therapy for treating symptoms of depression.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Below are some common questions related to suicide prevention research.
How can schools help prevent suicide?
Schools may be able to help with youth suicide prevention by providing education on ways for suicidal youth to get help. They can also help by raising awareness of signs of youth suicide behaviors and teaching young people what to do if they notice these signs in their peers.
What does the latest suicide prevention research say?
Some of the latest research on suicide prevention supports the widespread use of screening tools, such as the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) tool. Healthcare facilities can incorporate such tools into their intake process in order to connect people with the help they may need.
How can you reduce suicide risk?
There are a number of strategies that may help reduce suicide risk. First, it can be important to reduce the availability of lethal means of suicide, such as weapons or dangerous medication. It can also help to encourage open discussions about mental health so that people know that mental health challenges are common and treatable.
What are the risk factors for suicide?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), risk factors for suicide can include individual, community, relationship, and societal elements. At the individual level, risk factors may include a previous instance of an attempt of suicide, a history of adverse childhood experiences, substance use or misuse, financial problems, and a history of mental illness.
In terms of relationships, someone may have an increased risk if they have experienced bullying or if they have a family history of suicide. At the community level, those who experience discrimination or health disparities, such as lack of affordable, affirming healthcare, may have a higher risk. At the societal level, people living in a community or culture with stigma surrounding mental health may have a higher risk of suicide.
What are the seven strategies to prevent suicide?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the seven strategies to prevent suicide include the following:
- Strengthen financial supports
- Create protective environments
- Improve suicide care access and delivery
- Promote healthy social connections
- Teach problem-solving and coping skills
- Identify and support those who are at risk
- Lessen harm after attempts and prevent future risk
What are the three Cs in suicide prevention?
The three Cs associated with suicide prevention are connection, collaboration, and choice. Connection generally refers to showing an individual experiencing suicidal ideation that they are understood and ensuring they don’t feel isolated. Collaboration involves working with them to identify possible solutions and paths forward. Choice means involving the person in the decision-making process for their recovery.
Which suicide prevention methods are proven to be effective?
The most effective interventions, according to research, are the seven strategies to prevent suicide listed above. While other interventions may also be helpful, those strategies are backed by the most research. Some focus on a “whole of society” approach, while others are more individualized.
Understanding suicide prevention efforts and how they can combat health disparities on the individual and national level can be vital. For instance, Black youth tend to be much more likely than their white peers to die by suicide. Therefore, it can be important for suicide prevention initiatives to take risk factors like race into consideration.
What are the different levels of prevention for suicide?
There are primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of suicide prevention. Primary prevention usually focuses on strengthening protective factors in young people, secondary prevention entails early intervention for those who show signs of suicide risk factors, and tertiary prevention is intended for those who display behaviors associated with individuals who attempt suicide.
How can you help someone who has suicidal thoughts?
If someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, it can be crucial to take them seriously and offer your support. Encouraging them to seek professional help or reach out to their primary care provider may prevent suicide loss. You could also do some research and provide them with other resources that can offer information and remind them that they aren’t alone.
How do psychiatrists treat suicidal ideation?
While the specific treatment plan for a person experiencing suicidal ideation typically varies depending on their diagnosis, it’s common for mental health professionals to teach people healthy coping skills. Modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy can be helpful, and some people may also benefit from prescription medication. In some cases, inpatient treatment may be needed.
What is the treatment of choice for depression with suicidal tendencies?
Often, the gold standard of care for depression is a combination of therapy and prescription medication. While both of these options tend to be helpful on their own, research suggests they’re most effective when used in conjunction. As untreated depression is typically cited as the leading cause of suicide, it can be important to seek help if you’re experiencing depression symptoms, especially if they’re accompanied by suicidal tendencies.
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