Teaching Healthcare Professionals about Suicide Prevention: Bridging the Gaps

Abstract Suicide remains a leading global cause of preventable death. In India, the suicide rate exceeds the global average, emphasizing an urgent public health crisis. Despite its magnitude, suicide prevention training among healthcare professionals (HCPs) is often fragmented and insufficient. This article explores critical gaps in the education of HCPs, including inadequate integration of suicide prevention in curriculum, poor preparedness for risk assessment, and ethical challenges in managing suicidal patients. Notably, many clinicians both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric often struggle with identifying suicide risk, often relying solely on direct questioning, which may overlook high-risk individuals. Furthermore, the misconception that suicide risk is exclusive to psychiatric settings leads to missed opportunities for intervention in general healthcare environments. To address these gaps, the article proposes enhanced curricula, inclusion of biopsychosocial training approaches, gatekeeper training, ethical decision-making frameworks, and standardized postvention protocols. Strengthening training from early medical education and promoting evidence-based, interdisciplinary collaboration are emphasized as crucial strategies. Bridging these training gaps can significantly reduce suicide rates, support affected communities, and empower healthcare systems to respond more effectively to this pressing challenge.