Research and trends within the last 20-30 years are reviewed along with suicide statistics, suicide warning signs and risk factors, and evidence-based approaches to suicide prevention.
Introduction
Much of the material in this section of the Suicide Prevention course comes from the work of SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and NIMH, the National Institute of Mental Health. SAMHSA and NIMH are both part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). SAMHSA leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. NIMH is part of NIH, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the nation’s medical research agency.
Suicide is a serious public health problem that causes immeasurable pain, suffering, and loss to individuals, families, and communities nationwide. It is important to be familiar with the general trends and issues related to suicide in the general population in order to better understand the impact of suicide on young people in our educational systems.
