Ecuador launches national manual for first‑response suicide intervention

On 23 July 2026, Ecuador's Ministry of Public Health and six other state agencies signed a 93‑page Manual for the First Intervention in Suicide Attempts. The document, published in the Official Register, provides standardized guidelines for first responders—including police, firefighters, paramedics and by‑standers—to deliver psychological first aid, persuasion techniques, physical safety measures, tailored communication and clear referral procedures. Over the next nine months the nine agencies must disseminate the manual and train personnel and the public.

The manual highlights Ecuador's suicide burden, with more than 1,000 deaths annually and 4,689 recorded deaths between 2020 and 2023. The highest mortality rates are observed among older men and adolescent girls. Authorities stress that timely, coordinated intervention by first responders can mean the difference between life and death, underscoring the need for clear, evidence‑based protocols.