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Saving Lives: A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Theory-Informed Suicide Prevention Programs

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Abstract

Suicide is a global epidemic. This review assessed the scope and effectiveness of suicide prevention programs. Systematic literature searches were conducted using PsycINFO, ERIC and MEDLINE to retrieve articles published between January 2007 and March 2017 and fulfilled inclusion criteria (studies evaluating the efficacy of theory/model-informed suicide prevention programs in increasing participant knowledge or skills when presented with a peer at risk of suicide). The review is informed by PRISMA guidelines. Of 1398 studies identified, 25 were reviewed and most: targeted professionals; were 1–4-day workshops; were underpinned by 21 different theories; taught less detail to the community than professionals; and improved target outcomes. Current programs, although effective, are limited by their inaccessibility, narrow content for the community and substantial variability in theory base. Future suicide prevention programs will benefit from being informed by a more specific theory, delivered through technology, targeting more of the community and improving methodological rigour.

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Data Availability

All data generated and analyzed in this review are included in this article’s tables. A reading log is available upon request.

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Acknowledgements

All authors are identified on the title page with no further acknowledgments to declare.

Funding

The research was supported in kind by the university and no funding was received for conducting this study.

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Contributions

Conceptualization: KH, CC, DA; Methodology: KH, CC, DA; Literature search and data analysis: KH; Writing -original draft preparation: KH; Writing—review and editing: KH, CC, SS, RS.

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Correspondence to Karien Hill.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Approval

The study is a systematic review. The Australian Catholic University has confirmed that no ethical approval was required.

Informed Consent

The study is a systematic review. The Australian Catholic University has confirmed that informed consent was not required.

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Hill, K., Somerset, S., Armstrong, D. et al. Saving Lives: A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Theory-Informed Suicide Prevention Programs. Community Ment Health J 58, 454–473 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00841-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00841-6

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