Can Suicide Prevention Be Effective? (IN: Psychiatry: The State of the Art, Volume 1 Clinical Psychopathology Nomenclature and Classification, ed. by P Pichot et al)

This article critically explores evaluative research of suicide prevention. The authors discuss the difficulties in gauging the effectiveness of preventive programs & changes in suicide rates, since suicide is such a rare event. They categorize research into the epidemiological & clinical approaches, & outline limitations to each type. They conclude that avoiding a change of therapist, keeping up contact with patients, & improving compliance are the most important preventive measures. (VM)