Guidelines for the prevention of suicide and high-risk behaviors

Introduction: Every year, nearly 700,000 people worldwide lose their lives to suicide, a tragedy that affects individuals of all ages, cultures, and social groups.This alarming statistic has made suicide a critical global public health issue, prompting the World Health Organization to include the reduction of suicide rates in their sustainable development and long-term health goals.In response, the WHO has developed comprehensive guidelines to support countries in implementing evidence-based suicide prevention strategies.These strategies focus on four key areas: restricting access to suicide means, promoting responsible media coverage, enhancing life skills, and ensuring the early identification, assessment, management, and continuous care of individuals at risk.Conclusion: Suicide prevention and the management of high-risk behaviors require a holistic approach, encompassing public policies at the macro level, the identification of at-risk individuals, assessment of the severity of the threat, appropriate psychological and pharmacological interventions, social, emotional, and spiritual support, and, ultimately, long-term follow-up care.