Citation

Tondo L, Baldessarini RJ. J. Am. Med. Assoc. JAMA 2006; 295(13): 1515; author reply 1516.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, American Medical Association)

DOI

10.1001/jama.295.13.1515-a

PMID

16595754

Abstract

Dr Mann and colleagues provide a comprehensive review of specific strategies that may be effective for reducing the public health burden and personal loss due to suicide. However, their categorization of the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program (AFSPP) as a "gatekeeper" strategy for preventing suicide (in Table 1 of their article) is an oversimplification of a multifaceted suicide prevention program that has demonstrated sustainability in reducing suicide events.

The AFSPP comprises 11 initiatives that use a comprehensive approach that integrates different strategies, one of which is the gatekeeper programs. These additional strategies include public educational campaigns, curriculum-based programs, community preventive and clinical services, and policy changes. The AFSPP is distinctive because of its adoption of the integrated framework to prevent suicide.

Language: en