PERSPECTIVES

Predicting and Preventing Suicide: Do We Know Enough to Do Either?

Paris, Joel MD1†

Author Information

1Department of Psychiatry, McGill University; Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry and Sir Mortimer B. Davis–Jewish General Hospital, Montreal

†Correspondence: Joel Paris, Sir Mortimer B. Davis–Jewish General Hospital, 4333 Chemin de la Cote Ste. Catherine, Montreal, H3T1E4, Québec, Canada. Email:[email protected]

Original manuscript received 9 January 2006; revised manuscript received 9 May 2006, accepted for publication 23 June 2006.

Harvard Review of Psychiatry 14(5):p 233-240, September 2006. | DOI: 10.1080/10673220600968662

Abstract

 

In population studies, many risk factors are associated with suicide completion. Yet we cannot accurately predict whether any individual patient will die by suicide. Completers are a distinct population from attempters and do not necessarily present for treatment by mental health professionals. Research on suicide prevention has yielded some promising findings but has not shown that interventions produce definitive results. The strongest evidence for successful prevention derives from reducing access to means. A population-based strategy may be more effective than a high-risk strategy focusing on patients with suicidal ideas or attempts. Much more research is needed before developing effective suicide prevention programs.

© 2006 President and Fellows of Harvard College

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