A review of the evidence on effectiveness of suicide prevention initiatives has been published today on the Ministry of Health website:
Undertaken last year, the review is being published ahead of the upcoming public consultation on the Suicide Prevention Action Plan (2025-2029).
New Zealand’s suicide prevention strategy He Tapu te Oranga emphasises the value of sharing evidence-based information with those working in suicide prevention. The Suicide Prevention Office, within the Ministry of Health, commissioned this work to ensure high-quality evidence is available to assist decision-making around suicide prevention actions and initiatives.
Dr Sarah Hetrick of the Suicide Prevention Office says, “We acknowledge the devastating impact of suicide on whānau and communities bereaved by this experience. We are working towards a future where there is no suicide in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Suicide prevention research is complex. Suicide is a relatively rare event and interventions are not easily scientifically tested. Many studies use other outcomes as a guide to effectiveness or focus on a specific intervention, group or setting.
“This review recognises most research reflects a Westernised approach to suicide prevention and the reviewers took care to include as much research as possible with a Māori or Pacific focus, given the disproportionate impact of suicide on these populations.”
The review shows the following actions have evidence of effectiveness.
- Reducing the societal factors associated with suicide such as poverty, loss of land and language, discrimination and violence.
- In times of recession investing in keeping people in employment, return to work schemes and welfare support.
- Good adherence to responsible media reporting guidelines.
- Restricting access to and installing barriers, signs and advice in locations associated with jumping from height.
- Continued restrictions on lethal means for suicide such as guns, carbon monoxide gas and pesticides.
- Stronger restrictions on medicines able to be misused and linked with suicides.
- Initiatives to reduce alcohol intoxication and misuse by restricting access or increasing price.
- Workplace interventions for first responders (police, firefighters, ambulance staff, military) and health and social care workers under significant pressure.
- Prevention of all forms of violence and particularly sexual violence.
The review also highlights gaps in evidence - providing a useful guide for researchers planning their research in this area.
