Twenty-five years ago, Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher issued a ground-breaking Call to Action to Prevent Suicide, leading to the first National Strategy for Suicide Prevention in 2001. Since then, significant advancements have been made in data timeliness, suicide prevention science, new treatments, and research. Despite these efforts, rising suicide rates indicate that more work is needed.

2024 National Strategy Overview The 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention aims to address existing gaps and promote a coordinated, comprehensive approach to suicide prevention across the United States. This strategy focuses on multiple factors associated with suicide, recognizing that there is no single solution. It emphasizes:

• Upstream Prevention: Preventing suicide risk before it arises.
• Downstream Prevention: Identifying and supporting individuals at increased risk through treatment and crisis intervention.
• Long-term Recovery: Preventing reattempts and promoting recovery.
• Support for Survivors: Assisting those who have lost someone to suicide.

Collaboration and Infrastructure The strategy relies on collaboration with public and private sector partners, individuals with lived experience, and populations disproportionately affected by suicide. Key components include:

• A strong suicide prevention infrastructure at all levels.
• A competent and well-trained workforce.
• The use of quality data for decision-making.
• A robust science base.

Whole of Government Approach For the first time, the 2024 strategy adopts a "whole of government" approach, developed in collaboration with a federal Interagency Work Group comprising over 20 agencies and offices across 10 departments. Support came from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance), with guidance from SAMHSA, CDC, NIMH, and ASPE/HHS. Input was gathered from over 2,000 respondents through a national needs assessment and multiple listening sessions.

New Focus Areas Building on the 2012 strategy, the 2024 strategy addresses health equity, youth and social media, and the intersection of suicide and substance use. New content includes:

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: A critical resource for immediate help.
• Expanded Workplace Suicide Prevention: Addressing mental health in the workplace.
• Social Determinants of Health: Recognizing the broader factors affecting mental health.

Strategic Directions and Goals The strategy is organized into four Strategic Directions:

1. Community-Based Suicide Prevention: Engaging diverse communities in prevention efforts.
2. Treatment and Crisis Services: Implementing effective suicide prevention services and improving the quality and accessibility of crisis care services across all communities.
3. Surveillance, Quality Improvement, and Research: Enhancing data collection and research.
4. Health Equity in Suicide Prevention: Ensuring equitable access to prevention and treatment services.

These directions guide the goals and actions necessary to reduce suicide rates and support those affected by suicide.

These highlights contain some of the key points of the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention which represents a comprehensive and collaborative effort to address the complex issue of suicide, aiming to save lives and promote mental health across the nation. We invite you to download the document to learn more https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/national-strategy-suicide-prevention.pdf