The Effectiveness of Telephone Interventions by Suicide Prevention Centres

The activities of suicide prevention centres are described & the question of their effectiveness is raised. Results from a study of telephone services at 2 Quebec centres are presented. Many callers seem to benefit from calls, as indicated by decreased ratings for depression & suicidal urgency, & by the fact that most callers will make, & respect, a contract. Results suggest that suicide prevention centres do help people; although effects on the overall suicide rate are difficult to measure.