Is Evaluative Research on Youth Suicide Programs Theory-Driven? The Canadian Experience

An in-depth review found that only 15 Canadian youth suicide programs had been evaluated over the last decades. Most of these were conducted in schools; general education on suicide was the most common strategy used. The descriptions of the programs were incomplete, & their theoretical bases never presented. All evaluations looked at program effects in accordance with the predominant experimental paradigm in evaluative research. Only two of the programs led to a reduction in suicidal behavior. (32 refs)