Peer support for youth suicide prevention: a scoping review protocol

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health Research
• Adolescent Psychology

Background:

• Youth suicide is a critical public health issue, being the second leading cause of death for individuals aged 15-29.
• Peer support is an emerging intervention strategy in youth suicide prevention programs.
• The evidence base for peer support interventions in youth suicide prevention is still developing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically map the current evidence on peer support interventions for youth suicide prevention.
• To identify and synthesize existing research on the effectiveness and implementation of peer support in this field.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of the nascent evidence base to guide future research and practice.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review will be conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's framework.
• A comprehensive search strategy will be employed across multiple databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL) and grey literature.
• Screening, data extraction, and synthesis will be performed systematically by multiple reviewers using specialized software.

Main Results:

• This section will present the findings of the scoping review once completed.
• Anticipated results include a synthesis of the types of peer support interventions used, populations targeted, and reported outcomes.
• The review will highlight gaps in the current evidence and identify areas for future research.

Conclusions:

• The findings will inform the development and implementation of evidence-based peer support strategies for youth suicide prevention.
• This review will contribute to understanding the role and effectiveness of peer support in addressing youth suicide.
• Dissemination will occur through reports, conferences, and academic publications to reach relevant stakeholders.