About This Course - Page 1 of 3

This course provides an introduction to help advance the goals and objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP). In that vein, this course can complement the NSSP by:

• Helping to engage a broad and diverse group of partners to the cause of suicide prevention
• Presenting a conceptual framework for suicide prevention as a public health concern with connections throughout the course to various aims, goals, and objectives of the NSSP
• Drawing attention to a wide range of actions so that specific activities can be developed to fit the resources, programs, and areas of interest of people who are community members and/or professionals
• Seeking to integrate suicide prevention into existing health, mental health, substance abuse, education, and human service activities
• Helping to orient the development of suicide prevention activities in a culturally competent mannerref

The modules are designed to promote awareness of the link between substance abuse and suicide as well as other risk factors. The course includes information about tools and other resources to identify suicidal behaviors and to provide early intervention and prevention.

This course is not designed as a treatment manual or as a substitute for professional help in individual cases. However, the modules are designed to alert healthcare professionals, teachers, physicians, religious leaders, and other gatekeepers to the latest research and strategies for effective responses.

The quotations at the beginning of the modules are those of actual people who have experienced or witnessed suicidal behavior.

The course also presents examples to allow users to review concepts within likely scenarios affecting a range of populations. The individuals portrayed in the examples are fictitious but are based on research findings and clinical concepts and practices. Throughout the modules, users will learn tips for determining suicide risk (and for risk factors, such as substance abuse and co-occurring disorders, such as depression) and for developing community-wide suicide prevention efforts.