Trauma-Informed Approaches to Suicide Prevention

Background: Given the known bidirectional relationship between trauma and suicide, there is a critical need for suicide prevention efforts to be grounded in a trauma-informed approach. Aims: The purpose of this scoping review is to identify and map the current literature base for trauma-informed approaches to suicide prevention across all levels of prevention, settings, and population groups. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in seven academic databases, with results screened in duplicate. Results: 27 papers (n = 1 systematic review, n = 2 mixed methods, n = 8 qualitative, n = 5 quantitative, n = 11 discussion papers) were eligible for inclusion, primarily published in the past five years, mostly from the United States. The majority focus on children/young people, at the selective or indicated level. Lived experience leadership is lacking, and most do not explore suicide-specific outcomes. Limitations: The results may not represent global trauma-informed suicide prevention strategies, and the paper does not evaluate the effectiveness of these approaches. Conclusion: The explicit application of trauma-informed care to suicide prevention strategies has been a much-needed addition to the recent academic literature. More work is needed to ensure this approach is embedded across all levels of suicide prevention, with lived experience involvement, to better support individuals, communities, and the workforce.