The significance of cognitive-behavioral therapy on suicide: An umbrella review

Suicide becomes a widespread public health concern. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is used to correct negative thoughts and behaviors of patients at risk of suicide. The aim of this research is to summarize and evaluate the existing evidence to explore the impact of CBT on suicide.

We conducted a systematic searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane database from the first available year to March 2021. The methodological quality was evaluated by AMSTAR-2 tool, and the evidence quality was evaluated by GRADE classification. We summarized all the comparative effects of CBT on suicide, and used forest plots to describe the impact of CBT on suicide related outcomes included suicidal ideation, suicide attempts. The random effects model was used to summarize data.

Nine systematic reviews and meta-analysis were included. Most of the systematic reviews and meta-analysis were of medium methodological and evidence quality. The impact of CBT on suicide outcomes could be divided into the following two categories: CBT reduced levels of suicidal ideation (SMD -0.28, 95 % CI -0.36 to -0.21), CBT relieved suicide attempts (RR 0.77, 95 % CI 0.69 to 0.87).

Based on the current evidence, CBT could relieve suicide, including suicide ideation, suicide attempts. CBT is scalable and cost-effective. It is helpful for health professionals to formulate personalized CBT programs, promote clinical and community applications and integrate them into comprehensive suicide interventions and prevention strategies.