Suicide prevalence and prevention: A multidimensional review of current evidence

Abstract

Introduction: Suicide remains a critical global health priority, contributing to over 720,000 deaths annually. Despite a growing body of prevention science, a significant research-to-practice gap persists due to inconsistent implementation of validated interventions. This review systematically evaluates current global suicide prevention strategies, categorizing them by the medical hierarchy of evidence to establish a definitive roadmap for clinical and policy action. Methods: A comprehensive multi-database search (Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus) was conducted to identify high-level evidence published between 2005 and 2026. Data synthesis focused on the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) criteria, prioritizing systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and large-scale longitudinal cohort studies. Results: Analysis reveals that universal population-level strategies, most notably the restriction of access to lethal means (LoE1a), exert the most immediate and robust impact on mortality rates. Clinically indicated interventions, specifically the Safety Planning Intervention and specialized psychotherapies such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy and CBT-SP (LoE 1a/1b), demonstrate significant efficacy in reducing re-attempt rates. Furthermore, the integration of digital phenotyping and Zero Suicide systemic models represents the emerging frontier of proactive psychiatric care. Conclusion: Effective suicide prevention requires a dual-pronged approach: the rigorous application of high-level clinical evidence and the simultaneous pursuit of multisectoral policy reform. Prioritizing evidence-based decriminalization and resource allocation in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is essential for a sustained reduction in global suicide rates.