Best practice elements of multilevel suicide prevention strategies: a review of systematic reviews

Christina M van der Feltz-Cornelis, Marco Sarchiapone, Vita Postuvan, Daniëlle Volker, Saska Roskar, Alenka Tančič Grum, Vladimir Carli, David McDaid, Rory O'Connor, Margaret Maxwell, Angela Ibelshäuser, Chantal Van Audenhove, Gert Scheerder, Merike Sisask, Ricardo Gusmão, Ulrich Hegerl, Christina M van der Feltz-Cornelis, Marco Sarchiapone, Vita Postuvan, Daniëlle Volker, Saska Roskar, Alenka Tančič Grum, Vladimir Carli, David McDaid, Rory O'Connor, Margaret Maxwell, Angela Ibelshäuser, Chantal Van Audenhove, Gert Scheerder, Merike Sisask, Ricardo Gusmão, Ulrich Hegerl

Abstract

Background: Evidence-based best practices for incorporation into an optimal multilevel intervention for suicide prevention should be identifiable in the literature.

Aims: To identify effective interventions for the prevention of suicidal behavior.

Methods: Review of systematic reviews found in the Pubmed, Cochrane, and DARE databases. Steps include risk-of-bias assessment, data extraction, summarization of best practices, and identification of synergistic potentials of such practices in multilevel approaches.

Results: Six relevant systematic reviews were found. Best practices identified as effective were as follows: training general practitioners (GPs) to recognize and treat depression and suicidality, improving accessibility of care for at-risk people, and restricting access to means of suicide. Although no outcomes were reported for multilevel interventions or for synergistic effects of multiple interventions applied together, indirect support was found for possible synergies in particular combinations of interventions within multilevel strategies.

Conclusions: A number of evidence-based best practices for the prevention of suicide and suicide attempts were identified. Research is needed on the nature and extent of potential synergistic effects of various preventive activities within multilevel interventions.

Figures

Figure 1. PRISMA 2010 flow diagram
Figure 1. PRISMA 2010 flow diagram

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