CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. The Nature and Scope of Suicide
2. Recognizing the Progressive Development of Suicide
3. Substance Abuse as a Major Contributor to Suicide
4. Suicide Across the Life Span
5. Special Populations and Suicide Risk
6. Prevention and Early Intervention for Suicide and Substance Abuse Problems

Supplements
References
Resources

Holding the Lifeline
A Guide to Suicide Prevention

Incorporate Cultural Awareness

As with other issues of concern, suicide prevention must be culturally competent. Programs must respect and embrace the values, language, and mores of local communities and groups. For example, some communities, such as American Indians, may prefer to obtain health advice from the local spiritual leader rather than from a doctor. Effective prevention efforts affirm these ties and utilize these community leaders in promoting healthy messages.

Expand Prevention Efforts

Most importantly, to be most effective and long lasting, suicide prevention efforts must be on a scope that moves beyond the moment of crisis. One of the leading experts in suicide prevention has compared the field of suicide prevention to the early days when health experts were learning about the causes of heart disease. ref

The public health is served not only by medical advancements such as heart bypass surgery but also by programs promoting healthy lifestyles. Similar inroads in preventative efforts to improve mental health, particularly severe conditions, have yet to be made.

Encourage Community Involvement

Society has yet to recognize that suicide prevention is not just the purview of mental health experts, but is a community-wide responsibility. Among a few of the community members and partners that hold potential roles in reducing suicide rates are employers, police and fire departments, ethnic communities, government agencies, universities, and military services worldwide. ref

Enlisting the help of these and other partners holds promise for the future.