Preventing suicide: a community-based experience

Suicide is defined by multiple factors as psychiatric disorders and social problems. The attitudes towards mental health services, social support, and health prevention programs are considered important factors to prevent it. Self-efficacy, social capital, sense of community, social support are considered significant elements that can create a healthy community. This study is part of an action research carried out by Public Health Service, a local community where a high rate of suicide was reported and University of Florence. The research is aimed to investigate the perceptions about suicide and their impact on the local community, to explore sense of community and identify social risks and resources. Participants: 183 citizens Instruments: Multidimensional sense of community scale (MTSOCS), to explore membership, shared influence, help in case of need, social climate and bonds, and needs fulfillment; Ad hoc questionnaire; Focus Groups with health professionals and citizens. Data analysis was performed with qualitative and quantitative methods. Results. Data suggest that suicide and youth difficulties are perceived as critical events in the community. Social acceptance, reputation and isolation in case of psychological problems appear related to seeking help. Furthermore social climate and bonds are not perceived as significant community resources. Understanding how citizens perceive suicide is a crucial task to plan effective actions of intervention. Fostering participation and creating networks among the social resources are primary steps for community mental health promotion.