A Suicide Haddon Matrix for Intervention and Prevention to Reduce Suicide Risk

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Injury Prevention
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Understanding individual, environmental, and social factors is crucial for suicide prevention.
• The Haddon Matrix is a recognized tool for injury prevention strategies.
• Applying the Haddon Matrix to suicide can enhance intervention and research efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and apply the Haddon Matrix framework to suicide.
• To inform suicide research, prevention, and intervention strategies.
• To evaluate the utility of the Haddon Matrix for suicide.

Main Methods:

• A selective literature review identified suicide risk factors and prevention strategies.
• Key factors were organized using the Haddon Matrix framework.
• Department of Defense (DoD) recommendations were mapped onto the Haddon Matrix to assess coverage.

Main Results:

• Suicide characteristics were categorized across pre-event, event, and post-event stages within individual (host), agent, environmental, and social domains.
• A Suicide Haddon Matrix was constructed.
• DoD recommendations showed a concentration in pre-event, host, and agent domains.

Conclusions:

• A Suicide Haddon Matrix provides a structured approach to identify critical factors for suicide prevention.
• This framework aids researchers, practitioners, and officials in pinpointing research gaps and intervention opportunities.
• The Haddon Matrix enhances the development of comprehensive public health strategies for suicide prevention.