National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action
From Medscape Mental Health Current Topic Review National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action A Summary of Goals and Objectives Set Forth by the US Surgeon General Kelley Suttenfield, Assistant Editor, Medscape Psychiatry and Mental Health [Medscape Mental Health 6(3), 2001. © 2001 Medscape, Inc.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction On May 2, 2001, David Satcher, MD, PhD, United States Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary for Health, presented the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention -- an outline of goals and objectives for the prevention of suicide -- as a prelude to the observance of National Suicide Prevention Week (May 6-12, 2001) and Mental Health Month (May 2001). In response to the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Suicide released in 1999, it characterizes suicide as a tragic and potentially preventable problem. Suicide claims the lives of approximately 30,000 Americans each year, outnumbering the country's murder rate 3:2; and it is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. There are approximately 650,000 suicide attempts in the United States annually. "Suicide has stolen lives and contributed to the disability and suffering of hundreds of thousands of Americans each year," according to Dr. Satcher. "There are few who escape being touched by the tragedy of suicide in their lifetimes." Risk factors vary by age, gender, and ethnicity. For example, more than 4 times as many men die from suicide then women; the highest rate is white males over the age of 85. However, the number of suicide attempts by women outnumbers those of men by 200% to 300%. Even more alarming is the fact that suicide is now the third leading cause of death in young adults aged 15-24. The common thread throughout all of these groups is that almost 90% of those who kill themselves have a diagnosable and treatable mental or substance abuse disorder. "Only recently have the knowledge and tools become available to approach suicide as a preventable problem with realistic opportunities to save many lives," Dr. Satcher added. "The public health approach laid out in this National Strategy represents a rational and organized way to marshal prevention efforts and ensure that they are effective." Specifically, the Strategy establishes a set of 11 goals and 68 objectives in its campaign. Its overall aim is to: "Prevent premature deaths due to suicide across the life span." "Reduce the rates of other suicidal behaviors." "Reduce the harmful after-effects associated with suicidal behaviors and the traumatic impact of suicide on family and friends." "Promote opportunities and settings to enhance resiliency, resourcefulness, respect, and interconnectedness for individuals, families and communities." The 11 goals are stated as follows:
Goal 1: Promote awareness that suicide is a public health problem that is preventable.
Goal 5: Promote efforts to reduce access to lethal means and methods of self-harm...
Goal 11: Improve and expand surveillance systems...