Related Guides on this Topic
You may also want to see this guide on a related topic: Mental Health
Introduction
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Trained crisis counselors will speak with you and connect you to the nearest suicide prevention service provider.
Suicide is a serious public health problem that devastates individuals, families, and communities. More than 30,000 people annually die from suicide with a higher prevalence of deaths occurring in rural and frontier areas. It is the second leading cause of death in states with primarily rural populations, especially states in the rural mountain west and Alaska. Across the U.S. one person dies every 16.6 minutes from suicide and many more individuals are hospitalized and treated for suicide attempts. In 2002 according to the CDC, 132,353 individuals were hospitalized following suicide attempts while another 116,639 were treated in hospital emergency rooms and released.
Research has shown that prevention strategies can work to reduce the likelihood that a person will attempt or commit suicide. Not only can these strategies reduce deaths and curb suicidal thoughts and behavior, they can enhance an individual’s resilience to distress. Suicide prevention can foster a community approach to caring that promotes emotional support for individuals and eliminates the stigma associated with mental health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tools
Assessment and Planning Tool Kit for Suicide Prevention in First Nations Communities
Print publication
Developed to help individuals and groups interested in addressing the issue of suicide in their communities. It is a framework to guide First Nations (indigenous peoples) in assessing and planning a suicide prevention plan.
Depression Medicines To Help You
Web site
A guide to help women talk to their doctor or pharmacist about medicines called antidepressants that can help treat depression.
Ensuring the Seventh Generation: A Youth Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Tribal Child Welfare Programs
Web site
Toolkit intended for tribal child welfare workers and care providers discussing: child and youth suicide risk factors; specific risk factors associated with children served in child welfare; warning signs for caseworkers and care providers to be alert to; suicide prevention and intervention strategies that can be applied in child welfare agencies; and mobilization of support networks around particular children.
MayoClinic.com
Database
Provides information on diseases and conditions, drugs, books, first aid, health tips and more.
MedlinePlus: Suicide
Web site
An extensive variety of resources on suicide.
MedlinePlus: Suicidio
Web site
Amplia variedad de recursos sobre el suicidio.
National Center for PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)
Web site
Serves as an educational resource on PTSD and traumatic stress, for veterans and also for mental health care providers, researchers and the general public.
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
Web site
A variety of resources on suicide prevention that includes: funding, statistics, publications, and news items.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hotline/Toll Free Telephone
Provides immediate assistance to individuals in suicidal crisis by connecting them to the nearest available suicide prevention and mental health service provider through a toll-free telephone number: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It is the only national suicide prevention and intervention telephone resource funded by the Federal Government.
Recognizing Suicidal Behavior
Web site
A list of suicidal warning signs.
Save a Friend: Tips for Teens to Prevent Suicide
Web site
A list of warnings signs and specific tasks for teens to help friends who are contemplating suicide.
Sowing the Seeds of Hope
Web site
Provides behavioral health services to uninsured, underinsured and other at-risk farm and ranch families and agricultural workers in seven states: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin
Suicide Assessment Five-step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T) Card
Web site
Guides clinicians through five steps which address the patient’s level of suicide risk and suggest appropriate interventions.
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
Web site
Mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, eliminate stigma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide.
Suicide Myths
Web site
A list of myths and facts about youth and adult suicide.
Suicide Prevention
Web site
Provides current, scientifically-based tools and information written in language the general public can understand to help prevent suicide and suicidal behavior.
Suicide Prevention Information State Pages Including Territories
Web site
Highlights suicide prevention information specific to each state and eight U.S. territories. Each page consists of recent developments, history of suicide prevention efforts, and data specific to that territory.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Web site
Provides prevention support, training, and resources to assist organizations and individuals to develop suicide prevention programs, interventions and policies, and to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Rural Primary Care
Web site
Contains the information and tools needed to implement state-of-the-art suicide prevention practices in rural primary care settings.
Suicide State Data Fact Sheets
Web site
Individual state data fact sheets that include statistics on deaths by suicide, estimated hospitalized attempts, and data on medical costs, work loss costs, gender, race/ethnicity, age and method of suicide in the U.S.
Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline
Hotline/Toll Free Telephone
Provides veterans in emotional crisis free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. Dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press "1" to be routed to the Veterans Hotline.
Funding
Inactive Funding
Inactive Funding Opportunities -
Lists additional funding programs for this topic that are not currently accepting applications. Programs that are inactive may be offered again in the future.
Regulations, Forms & Other Useful Documents
Addressing Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment: A Treatment Improvement Protocol TIP 50
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
A manual designed to assist substance abuse counselors working with adult clients who may be suicidal, and to help clinical supervisors and administrators support the work of substance abuse counselors. Includes references to rural.
Date: 2009
After an Attempt: A Guide for Medical Providers in the Emergency Department Taking Care of Suicide Attempt Survivors
Sponsoring organization: National Alliance on Mental Illness
A guide for medical professionals in the emergency department (ED). Provides information to enhance care for people who have attempted suicide, and information on HIPAA, patient discharge, and other resources about suicide for medical professionals, patients and their families.
Date: 2006
Framework for Developing Institutional Protocols for the Acutely Distressed or Suicidal College Student
Sponsoring organization: Jed Foundation
Provides the college or university community, regardless of its size, culture, and resources, with a list of issues to consider when drafting or revising protocols relating to the management of the student in acute distress or at risk for suicide.
Date: 2006
Preventing Suicide: Program Activities Guide
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Describes CDC's public health activities and research to prevent suicide and suicidal behavior. The guide outlines four categories of activities which are key to CDC's prevention work: monitoring and researching the problem, supporting and enhancing prevention programs, providing prevention resources, and encouraging research and development.
Preventing Youth Suicide in Rural America: Recommendations to States
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Provides recommendations for state-level agencies in the prevention of youth suicide in rural America. Covers data and surveillance, screening, gatekeeper training, and survivor issues.
Date: 04 / 2008
Ranking America's Mental Health: An Analysis of Depression Across the States
Author(s): Tami Mark, David Shern, Jill Bagalman, Zhun Cao
Sponsoring organization: Mental Health America
Compares depression levels and suicide rates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and uses this information to highlight solutions to improve states’ mental health status.
Date: 12 / 2007
Resource Guide for Implementing the JCAHO 2007 Patient Safety Goals on Suicide
Author(s): Douglas Jacobs
Sponsoring organization: Screening for Mental Health
A resource guide for implementing the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations 2007 National Patient Safety Goals on suicide.
Date: 2007
Resource Scan of Faith-based Materials Addressing Suicide Prevention
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
A compilation of information on readily available materials for faith-based communities related to preventing suicide and promoting mental health.
Date: 04 / 2007
Role of College Students in Preventing Suicide
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Discusses ways college students can help their peers to prevent suicide. Provides tools for preventing the occurrence of suicide among college students. Includes a list of warning signs, documents, and websites.
Date: 05 / 2004
Safe and Effective Messaging for Suicide Prevention
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Provides evidence-based recommendations for creating safe and effective messages to raise public awareness that suicide is a serious and preventable public health problem.
Safety Plan Treatment Manual to Reduce Suicide Risk: Veteran Version
Author(s): Barbara Stanley, Gregory K. Brown, Bradley Karlin, Janet E. Kemp, Heather A. VonBergen
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Describes clinical intervention and safety planning that can be used in risk assessment of veterans who have made a suicide attempt, have suicide ideation, psychiatric disorders that increase suicide risk, or who are otherwise at high risk for suicide.
Date: 08 / 2008
Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention: Evidence and Implications: A White Paper
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Explores the role of substance abuse in the interplay of factors that result in a greater risk for suicidal behaviors.
Date: 11 / 2008
Suicidal Thoughts, Suicide Attempts, Major Depressive Episode, and Substance Use Among Adults
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Provides a brief overview about the relationships between suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and substance use among adults aged 18 or older who have had at least one major depressive episode (MDE) during the past year.
Date: 2006
Suicide in Rural America
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Describes how suicide is the second leading cause of trauma-related deaths in states with primarily rural populations.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 11 / 2007
Suicide Risk and Prevention for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth
Author(s): Effie Malley, Marc Posner, Lloyd Potter
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Highlights the higher risk of suicidal behavior among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth and provides recommendations to reduce this risk.
Date: 2008
Transforming Mental Health Care in America: The Federal Action Agenda: First Steps
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Identifies specific, actionable objectives for the initiation of a long-term strategy designed to move the Nation's public and private mental health service delivery systems toward the day when all adults with serious mental illnesses and all children with serious emotional disturbances will live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities.
Date: 08 / 2006
Trends in Rates and Methods of Suicide
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Displays analyzed trends in rates and methods of suicide over a twenty-year period. Data is presented in graph form and is categorized by means, age group, sex, and race/ethnicity for 1985 – 2004.
Date: 2007
United States Suicide Fact Sheet
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Provides nationwide statistics of deaths by suicide for the years 2000-2004.
Date: 2007
What Employers Can Do to Prevent Suicide
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Describes how employers can recognize and respond to signs of suicide among their employees. The resource includes links to additional relevant websites, publications and organizations.
Date: 2006
Young Adult Suicide & Student Status Fact Sheet
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Analyzes data from a pilot project for the National Violent Death Reporting System to determine how many of the 18-24 year-old suicide decedents were and were not students at a college or other post secondary education program.
Date: 05 / 2007
Youth Suicide Fact Sheet
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Findings covering suicides in four states and two counties resulting from a pilot project for the National Violent Death Reporting System.
Date: 05 / 2007
Organizations
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
National organization
A national professional medical association dedicated to treating and improving the quality of life for children, adolescents, and families affected by developmental, behavioral, and mental disorders.
American Association of Suicidology (AAS)
National organization
Promotes research, public awareness programs, public education, and training for professionals and volunteers to help prevent suicide. Also serves as a national clearinghouse for fact sheets on suicide.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
National organization
Dedicated to funding research, developing prevention initiatives and offering educational programs and conferences for survivors, mental health professionals, physicians and the public.
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
National organization
An organization composed primarily of medical specialists who are qualified, or in the process of becoming qualified, as psychiatrists.
American Psychological Association (APA)
National organization
Scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States.
CrisisLink
National organization
Gives support to those facing life crises, trauma and suicide, and provide information, education and links to community resources to empower people to help themselves.
Mental Health America (MHA)
National organization
A nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 320 affiliates nationwide, MHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans, with mental disorders, through advocacy, education, research and service.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
National organization
Dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families.
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
National organization
Represents and supports school psychology through leadership to enhance the mental health and educational competence of all children.
Screening for Mental Health
National organization
Provides programs that include both in-person and online programs for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, alcohol problems, and suicide prevention.
Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA)
National organization
Dedicated to preventing suicide through public education and awareness, community action and federal, state and local grassroots advocacy.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)
National organization
SPRC promotes the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and enhances the nation's mental health infrastructure by providing states, government agencies, private organizations, colleges and universities, and suicide survivor and mental health consumer groups with access to the science and experience that can support their efforts to develop programs and resources, implement interventions, and promote policies to prevent suicide.
Terms & Acronyms
Bipolar Disorder A mood disorder characterized by the presence or history of manic episodes, usually, but not necessarily, alternating with depressive episodes.
Evaluation The systematic investigation of the value and impact of an intervention or program.
Evidence-based Programs that have undergone scientific evaluation and have proven to be effective.
Mood Disorders Mental disorders that are characterized by a prominent or persistent mood disturbance; disturbances can be in the direction of elevated expansive emotional states, or, if in the opposite direction, depressed emotional states. Included are Depressive Disorders, Bipolar Disorders, mood disorders due to a medical condition, and substance-induced mood disorders.
Postvention A strategy or approach that is implemented after a crisis or traumatic
event has occurred.
Prevention A strategy that reduces the likelihood of risk of onset, or delays the onset of adverse health problems or reduces the harm resulting from conditions or behaviors.
Risk Factors Factors that make it more likely that individuals will develop a disorder; risk factors may encompass biological, psychological or social factors in the
individual, family and environment.
Screening Administration of an assessment tool to identify persons in need of more in-depth evaluation or treatment.
Self-Harm or Self-Injury The various methods by which individuals injure themselves, such as selflaceration,
self-battering, taking overdoses or exhibiting deliberate recklessness.
Stigma An object, idea, or label associated with disgrace.
Substance Abuse Misuse of medications, alcohol or other illegal substances.
Suicidal Behavior A spectrum of activities related to thoughts and behaviors that include suicidal thinking, suicide attempts, and completed suicide.
Suicidal Ideation Thoughts of engaging in suicide-related behavior.
Suicide Survivors Family members, significant others, or acquaintances who have experienced the loss of a loved one due to suicide; sometimes this term is also used to mean suicide attempt survivors.
Surveillance The ongoing, systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health data with timely dissemination of findings.
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