Evaluating a suicide prevention program: a question of impact

Abstract

Issue addressed: This paper explores the evaluation objectives of a suicide prevention program known as the Regional Trainers Sustainability Plan. The program aims to train practitioners to intervene appropriately where they come into contact with individuals who show suicide risk. As evaluators we argue for the critical role of impact evaluation in determining how well programs achieve their ultimate objectives, however, in this case our ability to know that suicide prevention has taken place is limited.