NIMH Pages about Suicide Prevention

Overview of Suicide Prevention…

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Publications about Suicide Prevention

Suicide in America: Frequently Asked Questions: A brief overview of the statistics on depression and suicide with information on depression treatments and suicide prevention En Español
Suicide: A major, preventable mental health problem: Facts about suicide and suicide prevention among teens and young adults.
Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and Prevention: A fact sheet of statistics on suicide with information on treatments and suicide prevention.
Older Adults: Depression and Suicide Facts (Fact Sheet): A brief overview of the statistics on depression and suicide in older adults, with information on depression treatments and suicide prevention

Science News about Suicide Prevention

Widely Used Screening Tool Shown to Successfully Predict Suicide Attempts: Science Update • November 10, 2011
A widely used suicide screening tool can help determine who is most at risk for suicide by pinpointing the threshold at which a person’s suicidal thinking is severe enough to warrant professional intervention, according to a recent study published online ahead of print November 8, 2011, in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
White House Names NIMH a “Champion of Change” for its Suicide Prevention Efforts: Science Update • September 01, 2011
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) was named by the White House as a “Champion of Change” on August 25, 2011, for its efforts in supporting research on suicide prevention.
Army STARRS Preliminary Data Reveal Some Potential Predictive Factors for Suicide: Science Update • March 22, 2011
Early examination of data from the U.S. Army’s Total Army Injury and Health Outcomes Database (TAIHOD) has revealed potential predictors of risk for suicide among soldiers. Preliminary results were provided by researchers leading the ongoing Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS). Army STARRS, a partnership between NIMH and the U.S. Army, is the largest study of mental health risk and resilience ever conducted among military personnel.
Air Force Suicide Prevention Program Reduces Suicide Rate: Science Update • July 07, 2010
A U.S. Air Force suicide prevention program is associated with reduced suicide rates among Air Force personnel during times in which the program was rigorously implemented and monitored, according to an NIMH-funded study published online ahead of print May 13, 2010, in the American Journal of Public Health.
New Grant Aims to Identify and Reduce Suicide Among Emergency Department Patients: Science Update • January 13, 2010
A new NIMH-funded grant aims to increase suicide detection and prevention efforts among patients who present with suicide risk factors in hospital emergency departments.

More Science News about Suicide Prevention

Posts about Suicide Prevention

Recognizing Those Who Have Served

By Thomas Insel on November 10, 2011

For Veterans Day, Dr. Insel discusses meeting the mental health needs of those who have so honorably served our country.

Bending the Curve on Suicide

By Thomas Insel on August 01, 2011

Dr. Insel gives an update in our efforts to reduce suicide in America.

NIMH Impact on Public Health

By Thomas Insel on April 19, 2011

NIMH research can have a significant impact on public health through innovations and projects that cross the four objectives outlined in NIMH’s Strategic Plan.

The Under-recognized Public Health Crisis of Suicide

By Thomas Insel on September 10, 2010

Dr. Insel discusses various approaches to the prevention of suicide and what research has revealed on risk and treatment of related mental disorders. Also, HHS announces a new Alliance for Suicide Prevention, which will coordinate a full court press across Federal agencies.

Army Suicide Study Kicks into Gear

By Thomas Insel on August 20, 2010

Dr. Insel provides an update on NIMH's and the U.S. Army's efforts to reduce suicide in the military.

Meeting Summaries about Suicide Prevention

Improving Care for Child and Adult Behavioral Health Clients with Suicidal Ideation and Behavior in Emergency Department Settings Conference: July 26, 2011 – July 28, 2011
Baltimore, Maryland
On July 26–28, 2011, staff from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Division of Services and Intervention Research, partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), representatives from the Institute for Behavioral Healthcare Improvement, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in the planning and coordination of a meeting to discuss suicide prevention in Emergency Department (ED) settings.
Third Annual Meeting of the Developing Centers for the Intervention and Prevention of Suicide: July 11, 2007 – July 12, 2007
Washington, DC
NIMH, NIDA, and NIAAA co-sponsored a meeting of the Developing Centers for the Intervention and Prevention of Suicide.
Are Endophenotypes for Genetic Studies of Suicidal Behavior within Reach?: June 25, 2007 – June 26, 2007
New York, New York
This workshop was held to revisit the biological and behavioral underpinnings of suicidality. The meeting assembled leading researchers in suicide, neuroscience, genetics, epidemiology, imaging, and related fields to review promising findings, to discuss research gaps and opportunities, and to propose next steps toward the identification of relevant endophenotypes for suicidality.
Indigenous Suicide Prevention Research and Programs in Canada and the United States: Setting a Collaborative Agenda: February 07, 2006 – February 09, 2006
Albuquerque, NM
In February 2006, a conference was convened to bring together representatives from research, service organizations, youth, community programs, and governments (across a range of countries, tribes, and villages) to share the most current information on Indigenous suicide, to find ways to foster communication and collaboration, and to form and support workgroups to bring substantive research and prevention efforts forward in a multi-year effort.

Director’s Updates about Suicide Prevention

NIMH Solicits Applications for Army Suicide Study

January 09, 2009

NIMH has issued a request for applications (RFA) for a Collaborative Study of Suicidality and Mental Health in the U.S. Army.