Presentation Information
[SY-78-03]Suicide Prevention Act and Suicide Prevention Strategies in Taiwan
*SHU-SEN CHANG (National Taiwan University(Taiwan))
Keywords:
Suicide Prevention Act,Suicide Prevention Strategies,Taiwan
Taiwan’s suicide rate more than doubled from 1990 to 2005, emerging as a major public health concern. In response, the National Suicide Prevention Center was established in 2005 to coordinate nationwide efforts. The Suicide Prevention Act, enacted in 2019, incorporated multiple strategies recommended by the World Health Organization, including public education, restricting access to means of suicide, improved media and online reporting practices, gatekeeper training, crisis hotlines, and aftercare services. Following the Act’s implementation, Taiwan’s suicide rate declined in 2020-2021. However, our research suggests this drop may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted access to and reduced the opportunity to implement certain methods for suicide (e.g., charcoal burning), complicating assessments of the Act’s effectiveness. Our qualitative study with journalists found that the Suicide Prevention Act influenced media reporting practices, such as avoiding sensational descriptions and using alternative terms for suicide methods (e.g., “falling” instead of “jumping”). However, concerns were raised about ambiguous regulations, difficulties in maintaining reader engagement without sensational reporting, and a perceived inability to report factual details. Journalists expressed a need for clearer guidance and concrete examples of violations. We also evaluated the national aftercare program for individuals who attempted suicide. While aftercare was associated with increased repeat suicide attempt hospital presentations, it also correlated with reduced suicide risk. These findings suggest that aftercare may encourage help-seeking and prevent suicide. Overall, these findings underscore the importance and complexity of evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of national suicide prevention legislation and its strategies in reducing suicide rates.