Table 4.

Factor-specific recommendations for suicide prevention

Factor	Recommended strategies for suicide prevention
Clinically significant depressive or anxiety symptoms	Conducting wide-spread psychoeducation programs to improve knowledge about mental health Fostering life skills in young people related to managing depression and anxiety, coping, and problem-solving Scaling up evidence-based interventions for anxiety and depression Strengthening capacity of health workers and systems to identify problems and provide mental health care Training gatekeepers such as teachers and families to recognise and refer individuals in need of support
Alcohol use	Conducting wide-spread psychoeducation programs to promote safe use of alcohol Restricting the availability of alcohol through increased taxes or regulated sales Setting up de-addiction centres and support services for those with alcohol-related problems
Impulsivity	Fostering life skills in young people related to managing impulsivity and emotional dysregulation Restricting access to means such as pesticides
Previous suicide attempt	Establishing mechanisms for reliable and accurate reporting of suicide attempts Training gatekeepers to identify high-risk individuals Training health professionals to assess risk for suicide, implement crisis interventions, and provide evidence-based therapies for individuals Scaling up suicide-helplines
Low SES (mother’s education)	Implementing economic reforms to reduce financial strain and improve monetary conditions of young people and their families Improving literacy of and providing employment opportunities for women Improving access to resources like informational materials and counselling for women
Lack of exposure to suicide-related information	Promoting accurate and helpful information about suicide through the Internet and social media platforms Ensuring responsible and safe media coverage of suicides in the general public
Lack of social interactions	Fostering social skills in young people related to building relationships outside the family Creating and encouraging participation in peer groups in housing communities, educational institutions and neighbourhoods Establishing and encouraging participation in non-academic social clubs or activity centres for young people
Interpersonal problems involving partners or family	Implementing evidence-based conflict resolution and communication skills training programs for young couples and families Implementing specific strategies for key interpersonal issues such as ‘violence’ or ‘control’, such as empowering women, challenging gender stereotypes, encouraging positive social and familial norms that prioritise needs of young people, strengthening justice systems and providing support services Fostering skills related to resilience and coping in young people to facilitate responses to acute interpersonal stressors Involving partners and families (particularly parents) in the treatment of affected individuals, and building support within the family Developing alternative social networks such as community centres and sports clubs