Suicide Prevention Resources
Hope, help and support are here.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. All month long, the American Hospital Association is shining a national spotlight on suicide as a national public health issue and how hospitals and health systems are finding solutions to ensure that people at risk feel supported and connected.
Here you’ll find resources to prevent suicide by helping people become better informed, support those who are at risk and create hope through action.
The Facts
Almost 46,000 Americans died by suicide in 2020
1 Death
every 11 minutes
12 Million
adults thought about suicide
Over 3 Million
made a suicide plan
1.2 Million
attempted suicide
Healthcare professionals confront daily challenges impacting their well-being, which was intensified by the pandemic. Prioritizing mental health is crucial, as seen in AHA's guide "Suicide Prevention: Evidence-Informed Interventions for the Health Care Workforce." Access the guide for immediate steps to safeguard your healthcare teams' wellness amidst these challenges.
Health Care Workforce Interventions GuideFeatured Resources
Infographic
Improving Maternal Mental Health Outcomes: How Hospitals Can Support Maternal Mental Health
Suicide accounts for one in five postpartum deaths; one in five women experience a perinatal mental health condition; and over half of pregnant women with depression do not receive treatment, according to a new AHA infographic highlighting the grim statistics surrounding maternal mental health, five ways to improve maternal mental health outcomes and recommended resources for providers.
ADDRESSING CHALLENGES AND PRIORITIES THROUGH THE TRUSTEE ROLE
Boardroom Brief: How Boards Can Support Workforce Behavioral Health
This document, developed by AHA Trustee Services and AHA’s Behavioral Health teams, intends to educate and raise awareness for trustees about suicide prevention and the role that hospital and health system boards can play in this very important public health issue. It also provides useful resources for boards to initiate a conversation about reducing the risks of and preventing suicides in the health care workforce.
Chair File
Shining a Spotlight on Suicide as a Public Health Issue
AHA Chair Wright L. Lassiter III notes that throughout September, the AHA is shining a spotlight on suicide as a public health issue and working to ensure that people have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and seek treatment when needed.
Addressing Challenges and Priorities through the Trustee Role
Why Boards Should Focus on Suicide Prevention
Sue Ellen Wagner spoke with Cathy Frank, M.D., chair of Henry Ford Health’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Services, to learn about how the health system is addressing suicide prevention, a vital public health issue that governing boards should know more about.
Podcast
The Role of Firearm Safety in Preventing Suicide
According to the CDC, firearms are used in approximately 50% of all suicides. In this podcast, Dr. Emmy Betz, a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and director of the Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative joins Laura Castellanos, associate director, Hospitals Against Violence initiative at the American Hospital Association. Together they explore the connections between firearms and suicide, and what hospitals and healthcare systems need to know about firearm suicide prevention.
More Suicide Prevention Resources
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AHA Resources
Access Curated and Vetted Resources with AHA’s New Stress Meter™
AHA Physician Alliance: Preventing Physician Suicide
Blog: Integrating physical and behavioral health to lower suicide risk
The Physician Well-being Playbook
Blog: Shining a light on physician suicide
Hospital suicide prevention requirements take effect July 1
Article: Providing a safe and therapeutic ED environment
Joint Commission issues first data-driven estimate of inpatient suicides
Health systems work to improve suicide care
Researchers report success with nurse suicide prevention effort
Health Facilities Magazine: Ligature-risk requirements: Separating Fact from Fiction
Other Resources
Suicide Prevention Resource Center: Suicide Prevention Month Ideas for Action
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Partner Toolkit
Education Development Center - Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)
Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation - National Violent Deaths Reporting System, 32 States, 2016
Rural Health Information Hub: Rural Suicide Prevention Toolkit
VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Guidebook
CDC: Suicide rising across the US
CDC Policy Brief: Preventing Suicide In Rural America
SAMHSA's Mobile App for Providers: Suicide Safe
National Institute of Mental Health's Suicide Prevention Resources
Suicide Prevention Resource Center's (SPRC) Resources for Behavioral Health Care Providers
Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Initiatives and Campaigns for Service Providers
Department of Veterans Affairs' Suicide Prevention Resources
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AHA Resources
Role of Hospitals: Marshfield Clinic Health System
Caring for our health care heroes during COVID-19
Ivinson Memorial Hospital - Suicide Prevention Task Force
Preventing Physician Suicide: Center for WorkLife Wellbeing
Blount Memorial Hospital: Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Alliance
Other Resources
Henry Ford Health System: How We Dramatically Reduced Patient Suicide, NEJM Catalyst
Avera enlists health care providers in Zero Suicide initiative
If you are in crisis or feel like you are a safety threat to yourself or others, please call 988 or 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. |
Take Action
National Physician Suicide Prevention Awareness Day: September 17
- AHA Suicide Prevention Month Social Media Toolkit (PDF) | (DOCX)
- 2022 Healthcare Workforce Rescue Package
- Action 6 Toolkit
- NPSA Day Supporting Organization Form
- SPRC’s Suicide Prevention Month Ideas for Action
