Suicide Prevention

According to a 2022 poll, 94% of respondents believe suicide is preventable.   To play a role in prevention, everyone should know the warning signs and be willing to have difficult conversations. Awareness of resources that are available for support if you or someone you know is considering suicide is an important step in prevention.

The goal of suicide prevention is to reduce factors that increase risk and increase factors that promote resilience. In addition to referring someone in crisis to a support line, those interested in suicide prevention can develop a safety plan and learn to assess lethal means to prevent someone with suicidal thoughts from accessing means of harming themselves.

94% believe suicide is sometimes preventable.

Over 75% of U.S. adults believe there are usually signs before a suicide.

96% would act to prevent suicide if someone close considered it.

Suicide Awareness Day

Organizations highlighted below offer tips and strategies for suicide prevention.

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States
  • Crisis Text Line: Text "Talk" to 741-741 for free and confidential support 24/7
  • National Strategy for Suicide Prevention is a national guideline released in 2024
  • AFSP Chapters: With local programs and events in all 50 states, AFSP's local chapters are at the forefront of suicide prevention and create a culture that's smart about mental health
  • CDC's Suicide Prevention Resource for Action: a comprehensive tool for anyone interested in this topic
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
    • Lethal Means Counseling [PDF]: Providers can download and use this helpful tool to determine if a person at risk of injury or death has access to lethal means
    • Safety Plan Template [PDF]: Individuals can download and use this resource to develop a safety plan either before or during a suicidal crisis  
  • The Veterans Health Administration offers free training for suicide prevention to community members. Access the 1 hour program with CE or the 20 minute program with no CE.

In addition to being at increased risk for suicide themselves, pharmacists, as frontline health care professionals, can play a crucial role in preventing suicide. Explore additional ASHP resources:

Including Pharmacists in Suicide Prevention Strategies [VIDEO]

A recorded session from 2020 Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition.

Speakers:
Lisa Kearney, PhD, ABPP
Tera Moore, PharmD, BCACP