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 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 376,306 individuals treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments following suicide attempts or self-harm.
Research has shown 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.
Sources
CDC, Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQRS)
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Tools
American Indian / Alaska Native Suicide Prevention
Web site
Designed to help reflect and learn more about the concern of suicide in Native communities, identify their own resources, and use the knowledge and understanding of the communities’ readiness to work toward a common vision for wellness.
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.
Best Practices Registry (BPR) For Suicide Prevention
Web site
Identifies, reviews, and disseminates information about best practices that address specific objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
CDC - INFO
Web site
Single source for accurate, timely, consistent, and science-based information on a variety of disease prevention and health promotion topics. Representatives are available to answer questions in English and Spanish.
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, and health tips.
Medicines To Help You: Depression
Web site
A guide to help women talk to their doctor or pharmacist about medicines for depression.
MedlinePlus: Suicide
Web site
An extensive variety of resources on suicide.
National Center for PTSD
Web site
An educational resource on PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) and trauma for veterans, mental health care providers, researchers and the general public.
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.
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
A variety of resources on suicide prevention that includes: funding, statistics, publications, and news items.
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 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 Resource Center Online Library
Web site
Searchable collection of resource materials on various topics on suicide, suicide prevention, and mental health.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center: States and Communities
Web site
Provides information, resources, contacts and lists events for each state on the topic of 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.
Veterans Crisis Line
Hotline/Toll Free Telephone
Provides veterans and their families free, 24/7 access to trained counselors during emotional crises. Dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press "1" to be routed to the Veterans Crisis Line.
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) Series 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 case studies of patients living in rural areas.
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
After Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Evidence-based programs for school districts and private school associations designed to address serious childhood and adolescent distress and prevent suicide.
Date: 03 / 2011
Continuity of Care for Suicide Prevention and Research
Author(s): David J. Knesper
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Report offers recommendations for the ongoing care of patients at risk for suicide who have been treated in rural or urban emergency departments and hospitals.
Date: 2011
Evaluation for Improvement: A Seven-Step Empowerment Evaluation Approach for Violence Prevention Organizations
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Designed to help violence prevention organizations build their evaluation capacity through hiring an empowerment evaluator. The manual is geared toward local leaders and staff members of organizations, coalitions, government agencies, and/or partnerships working to prevent sexual violence, intimate partner violence, youth violence, suicide, and/or child maltreatment.
Date: 11 / 2009
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
Help at Hand: Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss: A Guide for Funeral Directors
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Brochure for funeral directors who are working with suicide survivors covers what's different about suicide deaths, tending to the complex needs of survivors, and dealing with compassion fatigue.
Date: 2008
It Takes a Community: Report on the Summit on Opportunities for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention in Senior Living Communities
Author(s): Goldstein, I.S. (editor)
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Report of the "It Takes a Community" summit, convened in October 2008 to advance discussion and action to improve the mental health, and reduce the risk of suicide, among residents of senior living communities. The 111-page document lays out a framework of whole population, at-risk population and crisis response approaches. Discussion groups helped to identify opportunities for activities to promote these approaches; tables describe the ideas, challenges, facilitators and notes for each activity. The summit included findings from focus groups of older adult residents of senior living communities.
Date: 2008
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 Employers in Preventing Suicide
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Helps employers recognize and respond to signs of suicide among their employees. The resource includes links to additional relevant websites, publications and organizations.
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 Among Racial/Ethnic Populations in The U.S.: Asians, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Summarizes data and research on suicidal behavior among Asians, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians populations. Reports on their mortality from 2004-2008; suicidal behavior (attempts and ideation); suicide among youth, strengths and protective factors, and risk factors.
Date: 09 / 2011
Suicide Among Racial/Ethnic Populations in The U.S.: Blacks
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Summarizes data and research on suicidal behavior among particular Black populations. Reports on their mortality from 2004-2008; suicidal behavior (attempts and ideation); suicide among youth, strengths and protective factors, and risk factors.
Date: 09 / 2011
Suicide Among Racial/Ethnic Populations in The U.S.: Hispanics
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Summarizes data and research on suicidal behavior among Hispanic populations. Reports on their mortality from 2004-2008; suicidal behavior (attempts and ideation); suicide among youth, strengths and protective factors, and risk factors.
Date: 09 / 2011
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
To Live To See the Great Day That Dawns: Preventing Suicide by American Indian and Alaska Native Youth and Young Adults
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Designed to support American Indian/Alaskan Native communities and those who serve them in developing effective, comprehensive, and culturally appropriate suicide prevention plans.
Date: 2010
United States Suicide Fact Sheet
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Provides nationwide statistics of deaths by suicide for the years 1999-2005.
Date: 2007
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. SPAN USA is now part of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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, education 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.
Recovery Process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.
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 self-laceration,
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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