A Cartography of Public Policies for Suicide Prevention in Brazil

Abstract

Suicide is a global public health issue, and since the turn of the second millennium, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged member countries to develop public policies to prevent this type of death. This article addresses the construction and implementation of suicide prevention public policies in Brazil. Drawing inspiration from the cartographic method and incorporating considerations related to neoliberalism and other conceptual tools of Michel Foucault, analyses were conducted on the rising suicide rates in contemporary times. This investigation highlights Law No. 13,819, dated April 26, 2019, which establishes the National Policy for the Prevention of Self-harm and Suicide. The fragility of the law is noted, as it proposes a telephone service for individuals experiencing distress or contemplating ending their lives. We argue that suicide prevention public policies should not be limited to the provision of a telephone helpline but require the implementation of interdisciplinary support strategies. Recognizing that someone contemplating suicide may be undergoing intense suffering, we conclude that suicide prevention efforts should address the improvement of living conditions. A suicide prevention project that does not take into account the neoliberal context, a trigger for distress, is deemed destined for failure.