Cost effectiveness in the prevention of suicide — A population approach

Abstract

Suicide ranks among the most tragic events in human life. It is important to demonstrate that suicide is the cause of substantial economic losses in a societal perspective and to develop preventive measures with a high population impact.Would individuals who commit suicide have had the same life expectancy and productivity as others in the population? This assumption can be challenged on the basis of available evidence on the long-term course of depression.The main effects in suicide prevention on a population basis can be expected if resources are used to: increase public awareness of treatment options, decrease stigmatization, and increase knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of depression within the health care system.

Citation

von Knorring, L., Bingefors, K., Ekselius, L., von Knorring, A.-L. and Olsson, G. (2001), "Cost effectiveness in the prevention of suicide — A population approach", Farquhar, I., Summers, K. and Sorkin, A. (Ed.) Investing in Health: The Social and Economic Benefits of Health Care Innovation (Research in Human Capital and Development, Vol. 14), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 389-409. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0194-3960(01)14016-3