Background: Suicide is a major public health problem, impacting individuals, families and communities worldwide. Its prevention requires a comprehensive approach with diverse integrated interventions and collaboration across different sectors, stakeholders and professions. Our qualitative study investigates suicide prevention measures and strategies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland to address critical gaps, highlight success factors and enhance suicide prevention in these countries.
Methods: We conducted online, semi-structured interviews with 36 suicide prevention experts from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, incorporating perspectives from policy, science and practice. The interviews, carried out from September 2022 to February 2023, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the Framework method.
Results: The participants confirmed the critical role of integrated approaches, encompassing diverse measures and multi-sectoral collaboration, to address the complexities of suicidal behavior. Despite progress in national suicide prevention strategies and efforts to destigmatize suicidality, challenges such as resource scarcity, weak evaluation practices and limited public awareness persist, according to many interviewees. Experts identified several areas for enhancement, including the development of targeted suicide prevention programs for specific populations, strengthening collaboration with certain sectors and stakeholders as well as enhancing the involvement of individuals with lived experience in program design and implementation.
Discussion: National suicide prevention strategies are crucial for establishing a vision and a common understanding of priorities, increasing public awareness and providing a framework for action. Since most suicide prevention efforts are still predominantly health sector-driven, a more comprehensive approach is needed to promote the involvement of all relevant sectors and address suicidality as a collective societal responsibility. Developing innovative prevention programs specifically tailored to older people and men is crucial, as these populations show high suicide rates and face a lack of targeted interventions. In summary, our study confirms the need to continuously monitor, refine and strengthen comprehensive, collaborative and evidence-based suicide prevention efforts.