Access to emotional support at the right time and restricting access to highly lethal means of suicide to buy time while dealing with suicidal feelings can prevent suicide. Effective interventions exist. WHO’s LIVE LIFE approach recommends four key interventions which have proven to be effective:
- limit access to the means of suicide (e.g., restrictions on toxic pesticides and firearms);
- interact with the media for responsible reporting of suicide;
- foster socio-emotional life skills in adolescents; and
- early identification, assessment, management and follow up of anyone who is affected by suicidal behaviours.
The foundational pillars of the interventions for suicide prevention are situation analysis, multisectoral collaboration, awareness raising, capacity building, financing, surveillance, monitoring and evaluation.
