An effective suicide prevention program in the Israeli Defense Forces: A cohort study

Abstract

There was a 57% decrease in the suicide rate following the administration of the IDF Suicide Prevention Program. The effect of the intervention appears to be related to use of a weapon, and being able to benefit from improved help-seeking and de-stigmatization. Future efforts should seek to extend the program's prevention reach to other demographic groups of soldiers. The success of the IDF program may inform suicide prevention in other military organizations and in the civilian sector.

Men and suicide prevention: a scoping review

“…Interventions were predominantly complex/multimodal (i.e. characterized by several different modes of activity or occurrence), encompassing awareness campaigns (Hübner-Liebermann et al, 2010;Matsubayashi et al, 2014;Ono et al, 2013;Szekely et al, 2013;Wang et al, 2013); training of community 'gatekeepers' (Hübner-Liebermann et al, 2010;Knox et al, 2003;Ono et al, 2013;Shelef et al, 2016); psychological support (Britton et al, 2014;Chen et al, 2012 ; 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 Knox et al, 2003;Mishara et al, 2005;Nakao et al, 2007;Ono et al, 2013;Pratt et al, 2015;Saewyc et al, 2014); and educational initiatives targeted to either GPs or depressed or suicidal men (Hübner-Liebermann et al, 2010;Knox et al, 2003;Nakao et al, 2007;Shelef et al, 2016;Szanto et al, 2007;...…”

“…Several studies have explored strategies involving key members of the community charged with increasing awareness and understanding of risk factors that make men more vulnerable to suicide (Hübner-Liebermann et al, 2010;Knox et al, 2003;Ono et al, 2013;Shelef et al, 2016). These interventions have aimed to improve early detection of suicidal individuals, in order to signpost them to the appropriate mental health or social care service(s).…”

“…These interventions have aimed to improve early detection of suicidal individuals, in order to signpost them to the appropriate mental health or social care service(s). To achieve this, the current evidence suggests that establishing 'gatekeepers' is a universal priority (Hübner-Liebermann et al, 2010;Knox et al, 2003;Ono et al, 2013;Shelef et al, 2016). In this context, gatekeepers have been defined as individuals who have face-to-face contact with large numbers of community members as part of their regular routine, and are trained in the recognition and referral of those at risk of suicide (US collaboration with the regional press.…”

“…In this context, gatekeepers have been defined as individuals who have face-to-face contact with large numbers of community members as part of their regular routine, and are trained in the recognition and referral of those at risk of suicide (US collaboration with the regional press. Two studies in military settings have examined the impact of similar community education and training on suicide (Knox et al, 2003;Shelef et al, 2016). All of the aforementioned studies reported decreases in male suicide rates following the various interventions.…”

“…A number of studies have explored the effectiveness of educational initiatives aimed at men, which have formed part of a larger, multi-layered suicide prevention programme (Knox et al, 2003;Nakao et al, 2007;Shelef et al, 2016). Two studies have been conducted in military settings, which incorporated suicide prevention into their curriculum, covering knowledge of basic suicide risk factors, intervention skills and referral procedures for people potentially at risk (Knox et al, 2003;Shelef et al, 2016). A Japanese-based study has examined the impact of an 'Employee Assistance…”