Mapping priorities in Swedish suicide prevention policy: What, how and who are prioritized. A qualitative document study

Background

Suicide is a serious public health problem. All 194 member states of the World Health Organization have signed the Comprehensive Mental Health action plan 2013–2030 which tasks governments with implementing evidence-based interventions in community settings to prevent suicide at all stages of life. This study aims to map the priorities in suicide prevention policy in community-settings in Sweden, one of the World Health Organization's member states.

Method

A document study, using data from suicide prevention policy documents in the 21 counties in Sweden. Data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Suicide prevention interventions at the universal, selective and indicated prevention levels were prioritized. Most of the suicide prevention interventions intended to be implemented at each prevention level was evidence-based. Most of the suicide prevention interventions at all prevention levels did not prioritize any specific age group, however when age groups were targeted there were some emphases on children and adolescents.

Conclusion

There is a need to improve suicide prevention interventions prioritizing age-groups who have high suicide rates. As educational interventions that encourage young people to develop their ability to face life challenges related to adolescence are found to be appropriate suicide prevention interventions, so too could educational interventions aimed at other age-groups be developed, to enable them to develop their ability to face life challenges related to their age.