Can we predict suicide?

This article focuses on the persistent challenges in predicting suicide despite fifty years of research, highlighting that false positives remain a significant issue and predictive accuracy has not improved substantially. It suggests that developing comprehensive typologies of suicide, such as those proposed by Van Hoesel, may enhance understanding more effectively than continued efforts to predict individual suicides. The article also discusses the limitations of current prevention tactics, which primarily involve restricting access to lethal means and providing support services, noting that evidence for their effectiveness is limited but they offer important support to at-risk individuals. Overall, it emphasizes the complexity of suicide prediction and prevention, advocating for societal-level interventions while acknowledging ongoing difficulties in advancing the field.