Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Interventions for Suicidal Behavior: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Suicide is a relevant social phenomenon in mental health studies, characterized by self-harm as an attempt to end profound suffering. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) seeks to understand how cognitive characteristics can lead to the development of emotional and behavioral disorders. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of CBT in reducing suicidal behavior, identify its mechanisms of action related to suicide, and investigate its implementation in clinical contexts. This is an integrative literature review, conducted in databases such as BVS, Latindex, PubMed, PsycInfo, Redalyc, and SciELO, addressing the themes of CBT and suicide. Eleven articles were selected, offering a consistent basis on the clinical practice of CBT. The results indicate that CBT, especially in brief and adapted formats, is effective in the prevention and management of suicidal behavior, particularly in emergency contexts and among vulnerable populations. The findings highlight the importance of a multifactorial approach, with attention to insomnia and family support. However, the predominance of small samples and quantitative designs highlights the need for further studies, especially qualitative ones, to deepen the understanding of the application of CBT in addressing suicide. It is also observed that most of the research is in English, with a scarcity of studies in Portuguese and Spanish, revealing a lack of research in Latin America. In conclusion, future investigations should include underserved populations, such as indigenous peoples and the LGBTQIAPN+ population, as well as consider social and financial vulnerabilities and violence in the Brazilian context.