Presentation Information
[O-7-02]Current Practices and Challenges in Suicide Prevention across Colleges and Universities in Taiwan: A National Survey
*Chen-Ting Chang1, I-Ting Hwang2, Wei-Chih Hsu1, Shu-Sen Chang1 (1.National Taiwan Univ.(Taiwan), 2.National Cheng Kung Univ.(Taiwan))
Keywords:
Campus-based strategies,Higher education,Mental health,Self-harm,Youth suicide prevention
Purpose: With recent concerns over rising youth suicide rates in several Asia Pacific countries, higher education institutions have become a critical setting for suicide prevention. This study aimed to examine the current practices and challenges of suicide prevention across Taiwan’s colleges and universities to inform more effective campus-based strategies.
Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted targeting all 162 colleges and universities in Taiwan. Respondents provided information on the implementation and perceived importance of 55 suicide prevention measures, as well as 61 potential challenges. A total of 147 institutions responded, yielding a 91% response rate.
Results: There was a strong correlation between the implementation and perceived importance of suicide prevention measures (Pearson’s r = 0.80, p < 0.001). Universally implemented measures included high-risk student screening and support, case management, mental health assessments for new students, on-campus counseling services, mentorship systems, and mental health workshops or seminars for students. However, several measures viewed as important were under-implemented (adopted by <50% of institutions), such as regular student mental health surveys, suicide crisis response training for campus security staff, subsidies for off-campus psychiatric care, and provision of mental health leave for students. Notably, 85% of institutions reported using no-suicide contracts, despite limited evidence of effectiveness and concerns about coercion. Key challenges included the inability to mandate treatment or hospitalization for high-risk students, student and parental reluctance toward psychiatric care, refusal of follow-up care by students after self-harm, and the absence of warning signs and insufficient help-seeking prior to suicide.
Conclusions: This national survey highlights the current practices and critical gaps in suicide prevention across Taiwan’s higher education institutions. Findings underscore the need for policy-level support and resource allocation to scale up under-implemented but potentially effective strategies and to address systemic and attitudinal barriers to care.
Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted targeting all 162 colleges and universities in Taiwan. Respondents provided information on the implementation and perceived importance of 55 suicide prevention measures, as well as 61 potential challenges. A total of 147 institutions responded, yielding a 91% response rate.
Results: There was a strong correlation between the implementation and perceived importance of suicide prevention measures (Pearson’s r = 0.80, p < 0.001). Universally implemented measures included high-risk student screening and support, case management, mental health assessments for new students, on-campus counseling services, mentorship systems, and mental health workshops or seminars for students. However, several measures viewed as important were under-implemented (adopted by <50% of institutions), such as regular student mental health surveys, suicide crisis response training for campus security staff, subsidies for off-campus psychiatric care, and provision of mental health leave for students. Notably, 85% of institutions reported using no-suicide contracts, despite limited evidence of effectiveness and concerns about coercion. Key challenges included the inability to mandate treatment or hospitalization for high-risk students, student and parental reluctance toward psychiatric care, refusal of follow-up care by students after self-harm, and the absence of warning signs and insufficient help-seeking prior to suicide.
Conclusions: This national survey highlights the current practices and critical gaps in suicide prevention across Taiwan’s higher education institutions. Findings underscore the need for policy-level support and resource allocation to scale up under-implemented but potentially effective strategies and to address systemic and attitudinal barriers to care.