SUICIDE PREVENTION & MENTAL HEALTH

Suicide is classified as a serious, but preventable, public health problem in the United States, according to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. The harmful impact of suicide or attempted suicide extends not only to the victim, but also to families and the community at large, like the residents of Lee County. 

The CDC has become one of the national leaders in developing tactics to lessen the risk of suicide. The agency has developed these strategies through cooperation with a myriad of organizations that have connections with addressing the needs of people experiencing suicidal ideation and others who have been impacted by suicide and suicide attempts across the United States. 

Two Primary Goals of Suicide Prevention Strategies: 

The underlying causes of suicide are variable. According to the experts at the CDC, strategies designed to prevent suicide have two primary objectives: 

1.    Reduce suicide risk factors 

2.   Increase resilience and coping factors 

The accomplishment of these goals necessitates the involvement of individuals, families, and the community at large. As is discussed in this article, the approach to preventing suicide must be consistently comprehensive. 

CDC Strategic Approach to Suicide Prevention 

The CDC developed a comprehensive, seven-part strategy to prevent suicide. The elements of this strategy are: 

• Identify and support people at risk 
• Create protective environments 
• Promote connectedness 
• Teach coping and problem-solving skills 
• Strengthen economic supports 
• Strengthen access and delivery of suicide care 
• Lessen harms and prevent future risks Identify and Support People at Risk