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WHAT IS THE U.S. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION?

The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy or NSSP) is designed to be a catalyst for social change with the power to transform attitudes, policies, and services. Representing the combined work of advocates, clinicians, researchers and survivors, the National Strategy lays out a framework for action and guides development of an array of services and programs yet to be set in motion. It strives to promote and provide direction to efforts to modify the social infrastructure in ways that will affect the most basic attitudes about suicide and its prevention, and that will also change judicial, educational, and health care systems. 

As conceived, the Strategy requires a variety of organizations and individuals to become involved in suicide prevention and emphasizes coordination of resources and culturally appropriate services at all levels of government; Federal, State, tribal and community. The NSSP represents the first attempt in the United States to prevent suicide through a coordinated approach by both the public and private sectors. 

This document, Goals and Objectives for Action, is a key element in the National Strategy. Its clear articulation of a set of goals and objectives provides a roadmap for action. The next step will be to develop a detailed plan that includes specific activities corresponding to each objective. The Strategy, as represented here, is highly ambitious because the devastation wrought by suicide demands the strongest possible response. 

The NSSP is based on existing knowledge about suicidal behavior and suicide prevention. It employs the public health approach, which has helped the nation effectively address problems as diverse as tuberculosis, heart disease, and unintentional injury. This Introduction to Goals and Objectives for Action outlines the components of a comprehensive suicide prevention plan, describes the public health approach as it relates to suicide, and summarizes the knowledge gained from the experience of suicide prevention initiatives in other nations.