Holding the Lifeline
A Guide to Suicide Prevention

Module 2: Recognizing the Progressive Development of Suicide - Page 15 of 19

Universal, Selective, Indicated Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention can be conducted on a variety of levels. Strategies can be aimed at individuals, at-risk subgroups, or the entire population. Traditionally, prevention efforts have been classified as:

Matrix of Interventions for Suicide Prevention
  Biopsychosocial Environmental Sociocultural
Universal

(The intervention is designed to affect everyone in a defined population)		 Incorporate depression screening into all primary care practice. Promote safe storage of firearms and ammunition.

Package drugs in blister packs.		 Teach conflict resolution skills to elementary school children.

Provide programs that improve early parent-child relationships.
Selective

(The intervention is designed especially for certain subgroups at particular risk for suicide)		 Improve the screening and treatment for depression of the elderly in primary care practices. Reduce access to the means for self-harm in jails and prisons. Develop programs to reduce despair and provide opportunities (increase protective factors) for high-risk populations, such as Native American youth.
Indicated

(The intervention is designed for specific individuals who, on examination, have a risk factor or condition that puts them at very high risk)		 Implement cognitive behavior therapy immediately after patients have been evaluated in an emergency department following a suicide attempt. Teach caregivers to remove firearms and old medicines from the home before hospitalized suicidal patients are discharged. Develop and promote honorable pathways for law enforcement officers to receive treatment for mental and substance use disorders so they can return to full duty without prejudice against them.

Source: National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. ref

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