THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUICIDE PREVENTION AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM BY THE PARTICIPATION OF DISTRICT COMMUNITY, SATUN PROVINCE

Abstract

               Objective: This study aimed to: (1) examine and analyze the causes and contributing factors of suicide in collaboration with community stakeholders; (2) develop a community-participatory district-level suicide surveillance and prevention system in Satun Province; and (3) evaluate the implementation of the suicide surveillance and prevention system across seven districts in Satun Province.

               Methods: This research employed a mixed-methods research design integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study participants comprised: (1) community leaders and village health volunteers; (2) members of the District Health Coordinating Committee, spiritual leaders, relatives and family members, individuals with a history of self-harm, and members of the District Quality of Life Development Committee (e.g., district chiefs, mayors, district public health officers, subdistrict administrative organization chiefs, and hospital directors). The target areas were nine villages with a recorded history of suicide in 2023. A total of 110 participants were included.

               Results: The findings revealed that the participants were situated in a rural community context characterized by strong family cohesion and high levels of social connectedness, which serve as important protective factors against suicidal behaviors. At the same time, television and social media were found to play a significant role in shaping public attitudes toward suicide. In addition, the participants’ levels of beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and attitudes regarding suicide, as well as practices related to funeral management and mourning, were significantly higher after the intervention than before the intervention at the .05 level. Furthermore, the overall satisfaction of the participants with the developed system was rated at the highest level.

               Conclusion: The results indicate that the district-level, community-based suicide prevention and surveillance system in Satun Province effectively enhances public awareness, understanding, and community participation at the local level. Moreover, the system is appropriate and well aligned with the cultural and social context of the area.