A technology assessment report 1 on suicide prevention programs for children and youth was abstracted in the Health Technology Assessment Database. Ten primary studies and two systematic reviews were identified that evaluated school-based suicide prevention programs. The majority of suicidal youth come to the attention of their peers rather than adults. The suicide prevention programs studied vary considerably in content, frequency, duration, and delivery making it difficult to draw general conclusions. Two studies rated high for methodological quality indicated significant changes in depression, hopelessness, stress, anxiety and anger during prevention programs in youth at high risk. One of studies found an increase in self-esteem and networks support. Most often the significant findings of change are within the groups (pre/post changes) rather than significant differences between the control and experimental groups. The potential for harmful effects of suicide prevention programs has not been verified. The overall findings suggest that there is insufficient evidence to either support or not to support curriculum-based suicide prevention programs in schools.
Two systematic reviews on the risk factors associated with youth suicidal behaviour indicate that high rates of psychiatric illness and the presence of co-morbid mental disorders primarily characterize young people at highest risk of suicide. Risk factors for complete suicide and attempted suicide are not identical although there is substantial overlap.
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