Even though the WHO recommended the implementation of regional and nationwide suicide-preventive activities, there is little evidence of their efficacy. The goal of this review is to discuss the different approaches concerning suicide prevention. On the one hand, strategies which try to improve the diagnosis and medical care of special high-risk groups are presented. On the other hand, population-based strategies are discussed. The main targets here are promoting public awareness, optimising primary care, restricting the presentation of suicides in mass media, and restricting the access to means for suicide. The combination of high-risk and population-based strategies might hold promise for the best effects.