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A systematic review of psychosocial suicide prevention interventions for youth

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Abstract

Youth suicide is a significant public health problem. A systematic review was conducted to examine the effectiveness of school, community and healthcare-based interventions in reducing and preventing suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and deliberate self-harm in young people aged 12–25 years. PsycInfo, PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched to the end of December 2014 to identify randomised controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for youth suicide. In total, 13,747 abstracts were identified and screened for inclusion in a larger database. Of these, 29 papers describing 28 trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the current review. The results of the review indicated that just over half of the programs identified had a significant effect on suicidal ideation (Cohen’s d = 0.16–3.01), suicide attempts (phi = 0.04–0.38) or deliberate self-harm (phi = 0.29–0.33; d = 0.42). The current review provides preliminary support for the implementation of universal and targeted interventions in all settings, using a diverse range of psychosocial approaches. Further quality research is needed to strengthen the evidence-base for suicide prevention programs in this population. In particular, the development of universal school-based interventions is promising given the potential reach of such an approach.

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Acknowledgments

ALC and HC are supported by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Fellowships 1013199 and 1056964. The database used in the current review is maintained by the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention (1042580). We would like to thank Jacqueline Brewer, John Gosling, Katherine Petrie, Daniela Solomon, Kanupriya Kahlia Hehir and Angeline Tjhin for their assistance in completing the review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University, 63 Eggleston Road, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia

    Alison L. Calear & Bregje van Spijker

  2. Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Hospital Road, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia

    Helen Christensen

  3. Australian National University Medical School, 54 Mills Road, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia

    Alexander Freeman & Katherine Fenton

  4. University of Canberra, University Drive, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia

    Janie Busby Grant

  5. Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University, van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Tara Donker

  6. EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University and VU University Medical Center, van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Tara Donker

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  1. Alison L. Calear
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  2. Helen Christensen
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  3. Alexander Freeman
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  4. Katherine Fenton
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Correspondence to Alison L. Calear.

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Calear, A.L., Christensen, H., Freeman, A. et al. A systematic review of psychosocial suicide prevention interventions for youth. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 25, 467–482 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-015-0783-4

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