Strengthening evidence-based and data-informed suicide prevention in the Western Pacific Region

BACKGROUND

One in four suicides globally occur in the Western Pacific Region with approximately 200 000 people intentionally taking their own lives each year. These figures do not include suicide attempts and deliberate self-harm, which can be 20 times more frequent than suicide. Some Western Pacific countries have experienced significant increases in suicide rates in recent years, particularly among young in the Pacific. Although traditionally suicide rates have been highest among elderly men, suicide behavior among young people and among women has become a major concern in the Region.

Suicides can be prevented through multi-sectoral suicide prevention strategies, restricting access to means of suicide (e.g. pesticides, firearms, certain medications), incorporating suicide prevention into health-care services, and mobilizing communities and engaging with the media to overcome stigma and raise public awareness and understanding of this issue. However, access to up-to-date evidence and reliable data on suicide, which are essential to effective suicide prevention strategies, remains poor in many settings. 

Globally, only 80 Member States have good-quality vital registration data that can be used directly to estimate suicide rates. This problem of poor-quality mortality data is not unique to suicide, but given the sensitivity of suicide – and the illegality of suicidal behaviour in some countries – it is likely that under-reporting and misclassification are greater problems for suicide than for most other causes of death.

Improved surveillance and monitoring of suicide and suicide attempts will strengthen suicide prevention strategies potentially saving thousands of lives in the Region. Cross-national differences in the pattern of suicide, and changes in the rates, characteristics and methods of suicide, highlight the need for each country to improve the comprehensiveness, quality and timeliness of their suicide-related data. This includes vital registration of suicide, hospital-based registries of suicide attempts and nationally-representative surveys collecting information about self-reported suicide attempts.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

• • The Mental Health and Substance Use (MHS) unit of the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO WPRO) seeks to contract a company or institution to support the strengthening of evidence-based and data-informed suicide prevention strategies in the Western Pacific Region.

The company /institution will be expected to:

• • Map suicide health information systems, such as national and/or subnational registries and surveys, across different jurisdictions in the Region;
• • Undertake a scoping review of evidence examining risk and protective factors related to suicidality and suicide mortality in the Region;
• • Develop a case study of an effective multi-sectoral suicide prevention strategy; and,
• • Support the establishment of a sentinel surveillance system for suicidality and suicide mortality in the Region

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output 1: Mapping of suicide health information systems, such as national and/or subnational registries and surveys, across different jurisdictions in the Region.

Output 2: Evidence review of risk and protective factors on suicidality and suicide mortality in the Region.

Output 3: Engagement with regional experts for the development of a case study on a multi-sectoral strategy for suicide prevention.

Output 4: Regional network of experts, centers or institutions to support a sentinel surveillance system for suicidality and suicide mortality in the Region.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Output 1: Mapping of suicide health information systems, such as national and/or subnational registries and surveys, across different jurisdictions in the Region.

• • Deliverable 1.1: Technical brief summarizing different approaches to suicide health information systems across the Region, including a description of gaps and opportunities across the different typologies.

Output 2: Evidence review of risk and protective factors on suicidality and suicide mortality in the Region.

• • Deliverable 2.1: Technical brief, with a summary in PowerPoint comprised of key messages and infographics, describing risk and protective factors related to suicidality and suicide mortality in the Region.

Output 3: Engagement with regional experts for the development of a case study on a multi-sectoral strategy for suicide prevention.

• • Deliverable 3.1: Case study describing approaches and interventions as part of a multi-sectoral strategy for suicide prevention.

Output 4: Regional network of experts, centers or institutions to support a sentinel surveillance system for suicidality and suicide mortality in the Region.

• • Deliverable 4.1: Technical brief describing: 1) feasible indicators for mental distress, suicidality (e.g. self-harming behaviour, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts) and suicide mortality in the population, and 2) approaches to collecting data on feasible indicators.
• • Deliverable 4.2: Concept note for a regional sentinel surveillance system on mental distress, suicidality and suicide mortality, describing its feasibility, practicality and other operational considerations.
• • Deliverable 4.3: Directory and liaison with experts, centers or institutions, to support the establishment of a regional sentinel surveillance system on mental distress, suicidality and suicide mortality.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  

Postgraduate degree in epidemiology, public health, or social sciences, preferably with knowledge on suicide surveillance and information systems.

Desirable:

Postgraduate training in suicide prevention and mental health information systems.

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

Minimum of 7 years cumulative experience in public mental health, suicide epidemiology, suicide prevention, mental health policy and related fields

Desirable:

Experience with the UN system or international organizations, particularly in mental health

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Research, technical writing, data analysis and visualization. Knowledge of relevant global and regional mental health tools, information systems and mandates related to suicide

LANGUAGES

Written and spoken fluency in English (Read – Write – Speak / "Advanced" level) is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage

COMPETENCIES

• • Teamwork
• • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• • Communication
• • Producing results
• • Moving forward in a changing environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• STARTING DATE: 15 January 2021 
• DURATION OF CONTRACT: 3.5 months

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 15 January 2021. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 120064 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.