Facilitators and barriers to implementation of suicide prevention interventions: Scoping review

Implementation of Complex Suicide Prevention Interventions: Insights into Barriers, Facilitators and Lessons Learned

INTRODUCTION

Effective suicide prevention interventions are infrequently translated into practice and policy. One way to bridge this gap is to understand the influence of theoretical determinants on intervention delivery, adoption, and sustainment and lessons learned. This study aimed to examine barriers, facilitators and lessons learned from implementing complex suicide prevention interventions across the world.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This study was a secondary analysis of a systematic review of complex suicide prevention interventions, following updated PRISMA guidelines. English published records and grey literature between 1990 and 2022 were searched on PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest, SCOPUS and CENTRAL. Related reports were organized into clusters. Data was extracted from clusters of reports on interventions and were mapped using the updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

RESULTS

The most frequently-reported barriers were reported within the intervention setting and were related to the perceived appropriateness of interventions within settings; shared norms, beliefs; and maintaining formal and informal networks and connections. The most frequently reported facilitators concerned individuals' motivation, capability/capacity, and felt need. Lessons learned focused on the importance of tailoring the intervention, responding to contextual needs and the importance of community engagement throughout the process.

CONCLUSION

This study emphasizes the importance of documenting and analyzing important influences on implementation. The complex interplay between the contextual determinants and implementation is discussed. These findings contribute to a better understanding of barriers and facilitators salient for implementation of complex suicide prevention interventions.

A Mixed-Methods Evaluation to Inform the Hawai'i Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan

The Prevent Suicide Hawai'i Taskforce is a state, public, and private partnership of individuals, organizations, and community groups that leads statewide suicide prevention efforts in Hawai'i. The purpose of this evaluation was to identify the progress and barriers of the Taskforce to inform the upcoming 2025 Hawai'i Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan in the following areas: Hope, Help, Heal, Research and Evaluation, and Policy and Advocacy. Utilizing a sequential exploratory mixed-methods approach, 18 key informants were interviewed, followed by a 13-question survey sent to the Taskforce member listserv. Results were analyzed using qualitative coding techniques and descriptive statistics. Interview findings contained six themes: importance of community relationships, interconnection of suicide prevention efforts, progress in diversifying training, organizational challenges, adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic, and funding challenges. Of the 34 survey respondents, most were involved in the area of Hope (91%). The respondents reported the area with most progress was Hope (87%), and the most important area to address was Help (41%). The majority (82%) of the respondents characterized the level of Taskforce communication as Excellent or Good. Interview and survey data corroborated each other and revealed new insights about the successes and barriers of the Taskforce and their progress in implementing the Strategic Plan. Recommendations included advocating for long-term funding for suicide prevention and building community relationships.

Addressing help-seeking, stigma and risk factors for suicidality in secondary schools: short-term and mid-term effects of the HEYLiFE suicide prevention program in a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts present a serious public health concern among adolescents and young adults. School-based suicide prevention programs are a key tool for addressing this problem. However, more research is necessary to assess their effectiveness, acceptability, and safety. In response, the HEYLiFE suicide prevention program was developed to enhance help-seeking, reduce stigma towards suicidal peers and diminish risk factors for suicidality. This article presents the evaluation findings of the HEYLiFE program in German secondary schools.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized-controlled trial measuring short-term pre-post within-group effects in the intervention group only and mid-term effects at 6-months-follow-up compared to a waitlist-control group. Schools were assigned randomly to the intervention or control group (no blinding). We recruited students ≥12 years of age. Primary outcomes were knowledge about suicidality, attitudes towards suicidality, stigma towards a suicidal peer, help-seeking intentions and behaviours, risk factors for suicidality. The data was analysed with linear mixed models and generalized linear mixed models.

RESULTS

A total of N = 745 students participated (n = 353 intervention group, n = 392 control group). We observed favourable short-term effects on knowledge, attitudes towards suicidality and fear towards a suicidal peer. Unexpectedly, the program also led to an increase in desire for social distance and a decrease in prosocial emotions towards a suicidal peer. The mid-term effects of the program were exclusively favourable, resulting in enhanced attitudes towards help-seeking while protecting from a sharper rise in risk-factors for suicidality and from an increase in social distance. The program had more favourable effects on females and on students aged >13 years. The program was well-received by the students, and no serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the HEYLiFE universal suicide prevention program in addressing variables associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among adolescents on the mid-term. The short-term negative effects on stigma and more negative effects on males should be addressed in the future. Future evaluation studies should examine its effects on suicidality and its effectiveness within populations at high risk.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was preregistered in the German Clinical Trials Register (registration number: DRKS00017045; registration date: 02/04/2019).