Suicide prevention: guide to public health policies and programs in Mexico, Costa Rica, and El Salvador

Abstract

Suicide is a serious public health problem that affects people of all ages, social contexts, and regions, with profound consequences for families and communities. Despite prevention efforts, it remains one of the leading causes of death and disability, highlighting limitations in current strategies. Social determinants play a significant role in suicide risk; however, they have received limited attention in public policies. Suicide prevention requires a comprehensive, proactive, and community-based approach that includes coordinated interventions ranging from public policies to individual care, as well as expanded access to mental health services. Within this framework, public health policies and suicide prevention programs in El Salvador, Mexico, and Costa Rica were analyzed to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. The findings show that Mexico has the largest number of specific suicide prevention instruments, followed by Costa Rica, while El Salvador relies on general mental health policies and guidelines, without specific instruments focused on suicide prevention.