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

Goals of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

Goal 1

Promote awareness that suicide is a public health problem that is preventable.

Goal 2

Develop broad-based support for suicide prevention.

Goal 3

Develop and implement strategies to reduce the stigma associated with being a consumer of mental health, substance abuse, and suicide prevention services.

Goal 4

Develop and implement suicide prevention programs.

Goal 5

Promote efforts to reduce access to lethal means and methods of self-harm.

Goal 6

Implement training for recognition of at-risk behavior and delivery of effective treatment.

Goal 7

Develop and promote effective clinical and professional practices.

Goal 8

Improve access to and community linkages with mental health and substance abuse services.

Goal 9

Improve reporting and portrayals of suicide behavior, mental illness, and substance abuse in the entertainment and news media.

Goal 10

Promote and support research on suicide and suicide prevention.

Goal 11

Improve and expand surveillance systems.

Reprinted from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Mental Health Information Center, Center for Mental Health Services. (2001). National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action. Washington, DC, p. 15.