Suicide prevention: A public health approach

Abstract

This article proposes a model for developing a national or regional suicide prevention strategy. Suicide is examined from the perspectives of stress, coping behaviours, lethality and multiple causation. Public health concepts of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention are applied to suicide with minor modifications. This exercise facilitates clarity with respect to planning strategies. Conceptual clarity may improve prospects for success but ultimately evaluation will elucidate the outcome.