Planning and Implementing the Program of Assess, Intervene, and Monitor for Suicide Prevention Among Iranian Soldiers: An Action Research Study

Objectives Suicide is one of the most important causes of death worldwide. It is the tenth leading cause of death in all ages and third among persons 15-24 years of age. In military settings, suicide is of great importance from different aspects, and this issue increases the need to implement suicide prevention programs. In this study, we intended to plan, implement, and evaluate a suicide prevention program among soldiers based on the assessment, intervention and monitoring for suicide prevention (AIM-SP) model. Methods In this action research study, based on the AIM-SP model and according to group discussion by an expert panel (including five key persons and professionals in mental health), the draft of the suicide prevention program protocol was prepared in three sections, including assessment, intervention, and monitoring. It was launched for 1 year in a barracks as a pilot period and thereafter was evaluated by quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data was compared with a similar barrack. Also, for the determination of suicide risk triage accuracy, we employed the Columbia suicide severity rating scale, the Beck scale for suicidal ideation, the Beck hopelessness scale, and the general health questionnaire–28 (GHQ-28). Results Suicide risk estimation in this program is more accurate compared with conventional method. Also, this program had feasibility, appropriateness, acceptability and efficacy for suicide prevention, based on stakeholders’ opinions. Conclusion A suicide prevention program, based on the AIM-SP model, if adapted to a military setting, is suitable for soldiers’ suicide prevention. Columbia suicide severity rating scale can be used in this model to determine suicide risk triage determination.