L.11. Round Table: Suicide prevention: call to action
Abstract
More than 720 000 people die by suicide every year. For each suicide, there are an estimated 20 suicide attempts. Suicide can occur at any stage of life and in all regions of the world. In 2021, suicide was the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally. While the link between suicide and mental health conditions and a previous suicide attempt is well established, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis. Further risk factors for suicide include experience of loss, loneliness, discrimination, relationship dispute, financial problems, chronic pain and illness, alcohol use, violence, abuse, and harassment, stalking or bullying. Ledia Lazeri, World Health Organization Regional Office for EuropeDG SANTE/HaDEALIVE LIFE guide to suicide prevention details the practical aspects of implementing four evidence-based interventions for preventing suicide, plus six cross-cutting pillars which are fundamental for implementation (situation analysis, multisectoral collaboration, awareness-raising and advocacy, capacity-building, financing, and surveillance, monitoring and evaluation). LIVE LIFE recognizes the role that both governments and communities play in implementing actions for suicide prevention. The interventions described in the guide are: (1) Limit access to the means of suicide, (2) Interact with the media for responsible reporting of suicide; (3) Foster socio-emotional life skills in adolescents; and (4) Early identify, assess, manage and follow up anyone who is affected by suicidal behaviors. Petr Winkler, EAADEAAD conducts research, raise awareness and develop effective, evidence-based initiatives that improve access to care and treatment for depression. EAAD promotes the Community-Based 4-Level Intervention, the most broadly implemented suicide prevention approach with strong scientific evidence. It has been adapted to different cultures and health care systems in more than 120 regions all over the world and it has been identified as European good practice in mental health by the EC and OECD. The Community-Based 4-Level Intervention combines professional training, public awareness, community involvement, and support for those affected. Andrea Gabilondo, Osakidetza The BIZI program was created to help reduce the lack of knowledge, stigma and inaction that surrounds suicide and prevents early action to act against it. It is promoted by and scaled up in the Basque Public Health Service (Osakidetza) with the collaboration of numerous entities in the health, socio-health and community fields. BIZI follows the model of gatekeeper training (GTK), supported by the WHO, which aims to train social agents in regular contact with groups at risk (social workers, police, educators). BIZI is an online, brief, self-completed and freely accessible GTK training resource to disseminate competencies for suicide prevention in community settings. In JA PRISM, 19 implementation sites across Europe will deploy BIZI programme at scale.
Key messages: • Suicide prevention requires evidence-based, cross-sector policies, and aligning WHO and EU strategies can drive real system change
• Effective suicide prevention combines community action, access to care, and stigma reduction, and scaling proven interventions is key to sustainable impact.
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BibTeX
@article{spain2026round,
title = {{L.11. Round Table: Suicide prevention: call to action}},
author = {Biosistemak Institute for Health System Research (Spain) and Ane Fullaondo},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.635},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.635},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - L.11. Round Table: Suicide prevention: call to action
AU - Biosistemak Institute for Health System Research (Spain)
AU - Ane Fullaondo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.635
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.635
AB - More than 720 000 people die by suicide every year. For each suicide, there are an estimated 20 suicide attempts. Suicide can occur at any stage of life and in all regions of the world. In 2021, suicide was the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally. While the link between suicide and mental health conditions and a previous suicide attempt is well established, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis. Further risk factors for suicide include experience of loss, loneliness, discrimination, relationship dispute, financial problems, chronic pain and illness, alcohol use, violence, abuse, and harassment, stalking or bullying. Ledia Lazeri, World Health Organization Regional Office for EuropeDG SANTE/HaDEALIVE LIFE guide to suicide prevention details the practical aspects of implementing four evidence-based interventions for preventing suicide, plus six cross-cutting pillars which are fundamental for implementation (situation analysis, multisectoral collaboration, awareness-raising and advocacy, capacity-building, financing, and surveillance, monitoring and evaluation). LIVE LIFE recognizes the role that both governments and communities play in implementing actions for suicide prevention. The interventions described in the guide are: (1) Limit access to the means of suicide, (2) Interact with the media for responsible reporting of suicide; (3) Foster socio-emotional life skills in adolescents; and (4) Early identify, assess, manage and follow up anyone who is affected by suicidal behaviors. Petr Winkler, EAADEAAD conducts research, raise awareness and develop effective, evidence-based initiatives that improve access to care and treatment for depression. EAAD promotes the Community-Based 4-Level Intervention, the most broadly implemented suicide prevention approach with strong scientific evidence. It has been adapted to different cultures and health care systems in more than 120 regions all over the world and it has been identified as European good practice in mental health by the EC and OECD. The Community-Based 4-Level Intervention combines professional training, public awareness, community involvement, and support for those affected. Andrea Gabilondo, Osakidetza The BIZI program was created to help reduce the lack of knowledge, stigma and inaction that surrounds suicide and prevents early action to act against it. It is promoted by and scaled up in the Basque Public Health Service (Osakidetza) with the collaboration of numerous entities in the health, socio-health and community fields. BIZI follows the model of gatekeeper training (GTK), supported by the WHO, which aims to train social agents in regular contact with groups at risk (social workers, police, educators). BIZI is an online, brief, self-completed and freely accessible GTK training resource to disseminate competencies for suicide prevention in community settings. In JA PRISM, 19 implementation sites across Europe will deploy BIZI programme at scale. Key messages: • Suicide prevention requires evidence-based, cross-sector policies, and aligning WHO and EU strategies can drive real system change • Effective suicide prevention combines community action, access to care, and stigma reduction, and scaling proven interventions is key to sustainable impact.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -