There has been an increase in “comprehensive” suicide prevention among governments, task forces and programs. A Google search for “comprehensive suicide prevention” yields over 26 million links. The World Health Organization promotes a comprehensive multi-sectorial strategy; in the US major organizations promote a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention in 17 states. Programs in Canada, Europe, Hong Kong and Australia have shown promise, yet despite the use of the term comprehensive suicide prevention, one can find exceedingly few peer reviewed, published studies on the subject. SAVE set out to conduct the first ever case controlled study of a comprehensive community based suicide prevention program.
SAVE used Dakota County (USA) as an experimental county and Anoka County (USA) as the control county. Baseline data was obtained from the counties and State on suicide deaths, hospitalization, ideation and attempt data using the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the Department of Health and hospitalization records from 2019-2022. SAVE created an Executive Committee in the experimental county, a logic model, determined high priority populations, implemented evidence based and best practice programs throughout the county and collected outcome evaluation data for analysis in change in knowledge, attitude, behavior and suicide outcomes by coordinating, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive and integrated prevention program comprised of 14 linked strategies. Results Over 500 individuals were trained in suicide prevention. Over 1 million public service announcements were distributed using 12 different campaign taglines developed by the executive committee. Over 5,000 pieces of literature were distributed. 95% of participants trained were found to have increased knowledge, a changed attitude toward suicide prevention and 85% demonstrated behavior change.
As suicidology looks toward comprehensive approaches to suicide prevention, there is a clear need for models that work to reduce the burden of suicide. In this case control study, a logic and program model were developed based on community input. Over 4 years outcome data was gathered, challenges and successes incurred and a model for replication in other communities was created. Sustainability was built into the model for the experimental county that will bring long-term benefits to the community and the replicable model for community based comprehensive suicide prevention programs.