Federal Information on Suicide Prevention

The federal government recognizes suicide as a major health issue. The US Surgeon General issued a Call to Action to Prevent Suicide in 1999, and the US Department of Health and Human Services issued a National Strategy for Suicide Prevention in May 2001. In addition, organizations such as the National Institute of Mental Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have devoted several Web pages to understanding and preventing suicide.

National organizations usually have state chapters that are very helpful in providing resources and providing groundwork for implementing prevention programs. These programs benefit from legislature that encourages suicide prevention. Click on the links below to learn more about the national recognition of suicide prevention.

• National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
• The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Suicide
• Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General
• Screening for Suicide Risk
• MedlinePlus: Suicide
• Suicide: Fact Sheet
• YRBSS: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System