Suicide is a serious global public health problem that demands our attention. Current research indicates that the prevention of suicide, while feasible, involves a series of activities that range from provision of the best possible conditions for bringing up our children and young people, through accurate and timely assessment of mental health conditions and their effective management, to the restriction of the means of suicide – and more.

Although suicide has often been discussed as only a mental health-related issue and/or only a biomedically-based issue, suicide is complex and multifaceted and needs to be addressed accordingly. Appropriate dissemination of information, provision of resources and awareness-raising are essential elements in successful suicide prevention.

Responsible reporting about suicide is also a critical component in suicide prevention. Various cultural, local/regional, age- and gender-related issues need to be taken into account in efforts aimed at preventing suicide.