Suicide Prevention Program: case study in a municipality in the south of Brazil

This article focuses on the theme of suicide prevention based on analysis of a work in progress. A case study of the Program for Promotion of Life and Suicide Prevention of Candelaria in the State of Rio Grande do Sul was conducted. It is a Brazilian municipality that has high suicide mortality rates in the general population and among the elderly. The scope of this paper is to present a experience that has proved successful and is based on a local initiative. The data presented here result from participant observation, interviews with the team carrying out the work, discussion groups and document analysis. The following categories were used: line of care, management and evaluation process. The results of intervention show that suicide rates declined from 5 deaths per year (21/100,000 inhabitants) between 1996 and 2000 to 3.6 deaths per year (12/100,000 inhabitants) between 2007 and 2009. The study establishes a dialogue with the experiences of others locations and provides contributions to prevention programs that can be set up in Brazil.