Controlling the environment to prevent suicide: International perspectives

Background: Suicide and suicidal behaviour are multifaceted events requiring complex solutions. Controlling the environment vironment is a neglected solution, despite strong support for this approach from the World Health Organization (WHO). Method: To discuss this approach from a global view, this review is written by authors from various cultures. American, Australian. Canadian, Chinese, Cuban, Dutch, Indian, Irish, Japanese, Lithuanian, Native North American, Russian, and South African. Results: We examine gun control illustrate the environmental control approach, however, the worldwide diversity of suicide methods calls for diverse responses. Further, controlling the environment encompasses more than restricting the means of suicide, which we illustrate with examples of toned-down media reports and restricted medicine availability. Conclusions: Controlling the environment may be viable strategy for preventing suicide, although research shows that few clinicians implement such approaches.