In the United States, someone dies by suicide every 11 minutes. Rates of suicidal behavior have increased over the past decade. and disparities in suicide rates among certain populations are growing (PDF | 13.4 MB). There is also concern about suicidal trends amid ongoing mental health and overdose crises and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, in which many people have experienced loss, social isolation, behavioral health problems, and disparities in health care resources, education, housing and other suicide risk factors.
The good news is that we have made great strides in strengthening the infrastructure, capacity, and practice of suicide prevention in the United States since former Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher Recognized suicide as a major public health problem (1.3 MB) 25 years ago. Individuals and organizations have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about suicide. collect and analyze data related to suicide; develop partnerships and strategic plans; expand and train the workforce; develop and implement policies and programs; and conduct research and evaluation to help us understand what is working or likely to work work to prevent suicide.
However, despite this progress, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy notes at 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) that “much work remains to promote a coordinated and comprehensive approach to suicide prevention in communities across the country and at every level of government.”
Our nation’s plan for suicide prevention
On April 23, 2024, the Biden-Harris administration released the National Strategy and first Federal action plan (PDF | 8.3 MB) to guide our efforts in the next decade. This strategy calls on all of us to:
- Care on suicide prevention through a contemplative strategy which combines prevention, intervention, treatment and post-operative support.
- I’m connecting our proactive efforts in the community and civilization as key protective factors for health and well-being.
- Cooperate with public and private sector collaboratorsindividuals with a suicidal focus lived experienceand populations disproportionately affected by suicide to achieve meaningful, equitable and measurable progress in suicide prevention.
Reflecting current data, emerging issues and developments in the field, the National Strategy addresses 1) community-based suicide prevention; 2) treatment and crisis services. 3) surveillance, quality improvement and research. and, for the first time, 4) health equity and suicide prevention. Other new areas highlighted in the strategy include an expanded focus on the social determinants of health, the intersection of suicide and substance use, the impact of social media on youth and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988).
The strategy recognizes that the complexity of suicide requires approaches that address multiple risks and protective factors at multiple levels of influence (PDF | 13.4 MB)—such as intergenerational trauma, economic loss or instability, social connectedness, effective coping skills, lethal means safety, and equitable access to behavioral health care. The strategy also calls for the involvement of people affected by and at risk of suicide in prevention efforts, whose experience brings a vital perspective to this work.
Turning Strategy into Action
Realizing his complete vision National Strategy, particularly for the populations most affected by suicide, will require a coordinated, integrated and sustained effort by many partners. Guiding the efforts of federal agencies is a Federal action plan (PDF | 8.3 MB) with more than 200 priority actions to implement, monitor and evaluate. Examples of SAMHSA actions over the next three years include:
- Design and support policy academies to support states in addressing populations disproportionately affected by suicide;
- Improving the collection and reporting of critical data 988. and
- Cooperation with other federal agencies to promote other areas of it National Strategy.
This new strategy is here to help all of us to deal with the complex and heartbreaking issue of suicide. We invite you—whether you are part of a a federal agency or national agency, SAMHSA Suicide Prevention Grant, suicide prevention coalitionor other group—to determine how you can use the strategy to prevent suicide and promote mental well-being in your sphere of influence.
Some ideas for actions you can take include:
Everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention. Let Care, connect-connectand cooperate together to save lives. And remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, a mental health or substance use crisis, or emotional distress, contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by phone (call 988), chat (here), or send a text message (send a text to 988). Lifeline is confidential, available 24/7 and staffed by trained counselors nationwide. It also has specially trained counselors for veterans, LGBTQI+ youth, and young adults and Hispanics.
