Evidence-based suicide prevention begins with deeper analysis
October 17, 2014
Two years ago, the Coroners’ Court of the state of Victoria established a specialized database to compile information on suicide deaths. The Victoria Suicide Register (VSR), which is managed by the coroners’ group, was created to provide key information that may help improve suicide prevention efforts. Georgina Sutherland, a senior research fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Mental Health, explained that the VSR includes important contextual information for deaths that coroners deem probable suicides, such as records of the person’s involvement with mental health or substance abuse treatment or with the criminal justice system. Statements from family members on potential stresses in the person’s life are also included. “This information on tipping points and patterns of care is really valuable, and helps all involved tailor specific prevention efforts,” said Dr. Sutherland. Suicide prevention researchers and service providers are collaborating to begin using data from the register to identify patterns of risk.
Spark Extra! SPRC offers an online training on Locating and Understanding Data for Suicide Prevention.