NYC Gazette

An analysis by researchers at New York University has identified public policies that effectively prevent suicide deaths in the United States. The study, published in the Annual Review of Public Health, suggests that policies not explicitly focused on mental health, such as those increasing minimum wage or reducing alcohol consumption, can also help prevent suicides.

Jonathan Purtle, associate professor of public health policy and management at NYU School of Global Public Health and lead author of the study, stated: “Most of the policies that demonstrate evidence do not mention suicide and were not passed to prevent suicide. They are policies that are intended to address other issues—for instance, increasing minimum wage to promote economic security or reducing alcohol consumption—but they have spillover benefits in that they also prevent suicides.”

Michael A. Lindsey, Dean and Paulette Goddard Professor of Social Work at NYU Silver School of Social Work and a co-author of the study, emphasized the role of social determinants in suicide prevention: “An individual’s mental well-being is influenced not only by clinical factors but also by their environment, circumstances, and experiences.”

Suicide rates have increased over the past two decades in the US. The researchers analyzed state bills mentioning suicide and social media posts from state legislators as indicators of policy priority. They found a significant increase starting around 2017.

“Our analysis suggests that policymakers recognize that suicide is an issue of public health significance and are trying to address it, and there is bipartisan concern,” said Purtle.

The research reviewed over 100 studies to identify three categories of policies with potential to prevent suicide: limiting access to lethal means (e.g., safe firearm storage), increasing access to mental health services (e.g., Medicaid expansion), and addressing underlying risk factors for suicide (e.g., minimum wage laws).

Lindsey highlighted these areas as key starting points for saving lives: “Access to alcohol and lethal means of harm, as well as poverty, are all known risk factors for suicide. Our research suggests that a great starting place for saving lives is to fund and enact public policies that target these three areas.”

The review noted firearms as a common method for suicide. Evidence shows having a firearm at home increases risk significantly. Policies requiring waiting periods for gun purchases were found moderately effective in preventing suicides.

Further research areas include evaluating new initiatives like the 988 crisis lifeline. Purtle leads NIH-funded research on its implementation impact. More data is needed on technology's influence on youth mental health.

“The policy landscape has changed so quickly, but it will take time to study these changes, so we don't yet have strong evidence as to what works,” said Purtle.

Additional authors include Amanda Mauri from NYU School of Global Public Health and Katherine Keyes from Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. The National Institute of Mental Health supported this research partially.