Surveillance technologies for suicide prevention in public places: a scoping review of their nature and feasibility
Article
Cliffe, B., Joyner, L., Marzano, L., Phillips, P., Willis, A., Craig, P., Hawton, K., Deidda, M., Ciminata, G., Pettersen, E., George, C., Dark, A., Marsh, I., Mahmood, A. and Mackenzie, J.-M. 2026. Surveillance technologies for suicide prevention in public places: a scoping review of their nature and feasibility. Archives of Suicide Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2026.2666413
| Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Title | Surveillance technologies for suicide prevention in public places: a scoping review of their nature and feasibility |
| Authors | Cliffe, B., Joyner, L., Marzano, L., Phillips, P., Willis, A., Craig, P., Hawton, K., Deidda, M., Ciminata, G., Pettersen, E., George, C., Dark, A., Marsh, I., Mahmood, A. and Mackenzie, J.-M. |
| Abstract | Objective: This scoping review maps the range of surveillance technologies being implemented and proposed for suicide prevention in public locations, and explores the reported feasibility of implementing surveillance technologies for suicide prevention. Method: Searches were conducted via EBSCO (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Computer Source), Ovid (SPP), Web of Science, PTSDpubs, CENTRAL (Cochrane), and IEEE Xplore. Grey literature searches were conducted through Overton, preprint databases (e.g. PsyArXiv), and industry/government websites. Studies were included if they were written in English and described surveillance technologies in public locations that could identify possible suicide-related incidents. Results: 169 reports were included, mostly from academia. Around half of the reports described technology that had already been implemented. CCTV was the most discussed technology, and the railways were the most common location referenced. 111 reports discussed the feasibility of implementing these technologies. Key factors which determined feasibility included the processes and procedures involved in installing or using the technology, legal and ethical issues, staff and public attitudes towards technology, the appropriateness of the technology for particular contexts or locations, and cost-effectiveness. Conclusions: Key gaps in the current research include a lack of lived experience involvement and ethical consideration being reported, and a disparity in research coming from high and low/middle income countries. Future research needs to prioritise transparency around ethical implications, consulting people with lived experience, and sharing findings internationally to further the global suicide prevention imperative. |
| Keywords | Suicide prevention; surveillance technology; railways |
| Sustainable Development Goals | 3 Good health and well-being |
| Middlesex University Theme | Health & Wellbeing |
| Research Group | Centre for Abuse, Trauma and Suicide Studies (CATS) |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (Routledge) |
| Journal | Archives of Suicide Research |
| ISSN | 1381-1118 |
| Electronic | 1543-6136 |
| Publication dates | |
| Online | 21 May 2026 |
| Publication process dates | |
| Accepted | 26 Apr 2026 |
| Deposited | 01 Jun 2026 |
| Output status | Published |
| Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
| Copyright Statement | © 2026 University of Westminster. Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2026.2666413 |
| Language | English |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/368656
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| Surveillance_Technologies_for_Suicide_Prevention_in_Public_Places.pdf | ||
| License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | ||
| File access level: Open | ||
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