Designing empirically-based personæ to support a human-sensitive implementation of national suicide prevention strategies

INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for the adoption of Comprehensive National Suicide Prevention Strategies (CNSPS) which involve implementing and integrating evidence-based interventions guided by public health models, particularly in resource-constrained settings. However, policymakers often struggle to translate these complex, multisectoral frameworks into coordinated, contextually relevant actions. Moreover, such strategies risk becoming disconnected from the lived experiences of individuals in suicidal crisis. To address this gap, we explored the use of personæ - fictional yet realistic character profiles - as an innovative, human-centered tool to support CNSPS design and implementation. METHODS: We developed an original, structured, and iterative four-step methodology to create the personæ: (1) collection of empirical data through semi-structured interviews with suicidology experts and case studies of individuals with lived experience of suicidal crisis; (2) selection and clustering of key features, including sociodemographic data, life events, suicide-related experiences, and interactions with CNSPS components; (3) narrative and pathway crafting for each persona; and (4) refinement through co-design workshops involving both professional stakeholders and experts by experience. RESULTS: Five distinct, multimedia personæ were developed: Alban, Alina, Leïla, Marie, and Matthieu. Each included: (1) a first-person audio narrative performed by professional actors; (2) an identity sheet presenting demographic data and a full transcript of the narrative; and (3) an analytical pathway map detailing CNSPS components, received interventions, and interventional synergies. DISCUSSION: Personæ represent an innovative approach to illustrating and operationalizing national suicide prevention strategies. By bridging theoretical models with real-world experiences, they enhance stakeholder engagement, foster empathy, and support strategic decision-making. Adaptable to specific territorial or institutional contexts, they offer practical tools for mapping existing services, identifying unmet needs, and tailoring interventions. While not statistically representative, personæ provide a valuable heuristic for early-stage design and policy planning. Further research should assess their utility in training, service design, and implementation. Expanding this methodology to reflect a broader range of populations could strengthen the development of inclusive, human-sensitive suicide prevention policies.