Towards development of guidelines for harnessing implementation science for suicide prevention: an international Delphi expert consensus study

Towards development of guidelines for harnessing implementation science for suicide prevention: an international Delphi expert consensus study

Objectives Suicide research and prevention are complex. Many practical, methodological and ethical challenges must be overcome to implement effective suicide prevention interventions. Implementation science can offer insights into what works, why and in what context. Yet, there are limited real-worl...

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Main Authors: Naohiro Yonemoto, Thomas Niederkrotenthaler, Allison Crawford, Ulrich Hegerl, Rakhi Dandona, Ella Arensman, Kairi Kõlves, Michael Phillips, Lakshmi Vijayakumar, Gregory Armstrong, Lauren White, Annette Erlangsen, Paul Siu Fai Yip, Mark Sinyor, Ping Qin, Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie, Nikhil Jain, Sadhvi Krishnamoorthy, Isabel Zbukvic, Fiona Shand, Mohsen Rezaeian, Merike Sisask, Victoria Ross, Sharna Mathieu, Nathaniel Pollock, Andras Szekely, Ashley Nemiro, Lennart Reifels, Hayley Purdon, Jillian Francis, Jacinta Hawgood, Alexandr Kasal, Allison M. Gustavson, Anna Baran, Chez Curnow, Daniel Reidenberg, Daria Biechowska, Caroline Mae Ramirez, Jorgen Gullestrup, Katherine McGill, Kylie King, Loraine Barnaby, Marlena Sokół-Szawłowska, Maryke Van Zyl, Piotr Toczyski, Ricardo Gusmão, Samah Jabr, Sarah Spafford, Tae-Yeon Hwang, Vita Poštuvan, Yutaka Motohashi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2025-05-01
Series:BMJ Public Health
Online Access:https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/1/e001206.full
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Summary:Objectives Suicide research and prevention are complex. Many practical, methodological and ethical challenges must be overcome to implement effective suicide prevention interventions. Implementation science can offer insights into what works, why and in what context. Yet, there are limited real-world examples of the application of implementation science in suicide prevention. This study aimed to identify approaches to employ principles of implementation science to tackle important challenges in suicide prevention.Methods A questionnaire about promoting implementation science for suicide prevention was developed through thematic analysis of stakeholder narratives. Statements were categorised into six domains: research priorities, practical considerations, approach to intervention design and delivery, lived experience engagement, dissemination and the way forward. The questionnaire (n=52 statements—round 1; n=44 statements—round 2; n=9 statements—round 3) was administered electronically to a panel (n=62—round 1, n=48—round 2; n=45—round 3) of international experts (suicide researchers, leaders, project team members, lived experience advocates). Statements were rated on a Likert scale based on an understanding of importance and priority of each item. Statements endorsed by at least 85% of the panel would be included in the final guidelines.Results Eighty-two of the 90 statements were endorsed. Recommendations included broadening research inquiries to understand overall programme impact; accounting for resources in the translation of evidence into practice; embedding implementation science in intervention delivery and design; meaningfully engaging lived experience; considering channels for dissemination of implementation-related findings and focusing on next steps needed to routinely harness the strengths of implementation science in suicide prevention research, practice and training.Conclusion An interdisciplinary panel of suicide prevention experts reached a consensus on optimal strategies for using implementation science to enhance the effectiveness of policies and programmes aimed at reducing suicide.
ISSN:2753-4294

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