Community Problematization of Suicide: Recommendations for Local, Regional, and National Plans and Strategies

Abstract

The framing of suicide as a public health issue and its exclusive treatment by healthcare institutions is conditioned by a predominantly biomedical and psychologistic perspective, and therefore, one that tends to individualization. While this is helpful for targeted care in the prevention, intervention, or postvention of suicidal behavior, it presents a significant limitation when designing plans and strategies that address cultural factors and socioeconomic context. Therefore, this limitation can become a barrier to effectively implementing and measuring selective and universal actions in populations particularly affected by suicide. Contrary to the goal of improving interventions, this approach leads then to stigmatization and medicalized interpretations of suicidal behavior that neglect the social fabric –an element explicitly recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). In this regard, the present article proposes a theoretical and literature-based review of the elements that define a community approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, in line with WHO standards and those of the field of Social Work. The main goal of this work is to highlight a research line that not only addresses suicide from a community-based approach but also considers alternative frameworks for the development of public policies at various administrative and territorial levels.