Heterogeneity in study methodology and populations limited formal meta-analysis, thus we present a narrative synthesis of the results for the key domains of suicide prevention interventions.
Awareness and Education
General Public. Public education campaigns are aimed at improving recognition of suicide risk and help seeking through improved understanding of the causes and risk factors for suicidal behavior, particularly mental illness. Public education also seeks to reduce stigmatization of mental illness and suicide and challenges the acceptance of suicide as inevitable, as a national character trait, or as an appropriate solution to life problems, including serious medical illness. Despite their popularity as a public health intervention, the effectiveness of public awareness and education campaigns in reducing suicidal behavior has seldom been systematically evaluated.