Why plans to achieve zero suicides might actually be counterproductive

Health bodies and politicians are aiming for zero suicides, but doctors are warning this ambitious goal is simply unrealistic

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“ZERO suicide” is the phrase of the moment in mental health. Thanks to a programme in Detroit that managed to push rates of suicide to zero within a few years, the approach has spread to health bodies all over the world. Last week, the UK government appointed England’s first minister for suicide prevention, on the back of a “zero suicide ambition” for patients in the care of the National Health Service announced in January.

Reducing the number of suicides is clearly a desirable goal. Yet some doctors view the zero suicide movement with alarm, fearing …