Journal of Forensic Medicine

Advances in Suicide Prevention

Abstract

Heff Ernan

First responders are crucial in helping people who are experiencing suicide thoughts and directing their care. Examine current care pathways and models of care that may be employed for individuals who have come to the notice of first responders and are experiencing a suicide crisis.

In addition to conducting a scoping study of the academic and grey literature published between 2009 and 2019, experts, service providers, and people with lived experience were consulted.

Search results showed 703 studies. One personal letter and 23 publications from the grey literature and peer reviews were deemed appropriate for inclusion. 22 programmes were covered by six models, which were found. No papers that specifically addressed care pathways could be found. The utilisation of hospitals and police detentions were decreased when co-responder and safe haven models were used. Models of aftercare have been linked to greater wellbeing and a lessening of symptoms. Service users gave excellent reviews to the co-responder, safe haven, and aftercare models. Studies measuring the effect on longer-term suicidality are lacking.

A lack of comparability due to the variability of studies and their designs caused by the inclusion criteria's broadness. Few research used measurement techniques that were standardised, which made it harder to draw reliable findings.

Many innovative projects have the potential to help those in need who come in contact with first responders.