Training initiatives for GPs on depression in which suicide rate reduction is the main outcome measure

Suicide is a complex human behaviour with multiple causes, which occurs most frequently in undiagnosed and untreated depressed patients. The majority of suicidal patients contact some level of healthcare, most frequently their primary care provider, in the last month preceding their suicidal act. Several education programmes targeting general practitioners on the diagnosis and treatment of depression have been carried out in various countries and were followed by a marked decline in suicide rates in the intervention regions, lasting for a specific timeframe following the intervention. Reviews of these programs indicated that education of physicians is among the most effective means of reducing suicide risk and behaviour. We summarise the training programs for primary care physicians aimed at reducing suicide.