Practice manual for establishing and maintaining surveillance systems for suicide attempts and self-harm (2019) (in Russian)

This practice manual aims to provide a tool for countries to use in setting up a public health surveillance system for suicide attempts and self-harm cases presenting to general hospitals, based on medical records. Improved surveillance and monitoring of suicide attempts and self-harm is a core element of suicide prevention and needed for all countries.

It is estimated that, for each suicide, there are likely to have been more than 20 suicide attempts. Having engaged in one or more acts of attempted suicide or self-harm is the single most important predictor of death by suicide. Consequently, long-term monitoring of the incidence, demographic patterns and methods involved in cases of attempted suicide and self-harm presenting at hospitals in a country or region provides important information that can assist in the development of suicide prevention strategies. The practice manual includes a section on training.