Guide
As suicide is both a public health issue and a mental health issue, suicide prevention activities may fall under the responsibility of a number of different state-level departments and agencies, and may also be conducted by many other government and non-government organizations. Because these entities may have multiple priorities, we recommend designating a lead agency or entity that is asked to prioritize suicide prevention, and can provide administrative support and ensure continuity of effort. Without this designation, partners may be unsure where suicide prevention activities fall, and whether a particular division has the authority to make related decisions or requests.
Identifying and authorizing a lead division or organization that can provide centralized suicide prevention leadership will maximize coordination of efforts among all groups involved in suicide prevention and contribute to a more comprehensive approach. If more than one entity is currently responsible for suicide prevention, it is critical to establish close collaboration and designate one entity as the lead, while maintaining momentum and support in the other entities. This lead entity should be responsible for facilitating coordination with other agencies and organizations.
Recommendations and State Success Stories
Ensure the ability to plan, provide, and evaluate guidance for state, county, and local efforts
The lead organization or a designee should be able to assess community needs (via state-level data and/or community needs assessments), provide the needed assistance, and evaluate the outcomes of their assistance. With fellow state divisions’ efforts, the designated lead should help to build leaders’ capacity as well, and senior agency leadership should support the designee’s expertise and guidance.
While specific needs will vary by audience, at a minimum, the state should be prepared to provide consultation and training on major topic areas on which local and state suicide prevention efforts are likely to need support. These include the following:
- Data collection and surveillance
- Evidence-based interventions
- Postvention (see Build)
- Strategic planning
- Evaluation
Other key topics for consultation and training are lethal means safety and effective messaging. The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Transforming Communities report provides useful guidance on community suicide prevention-focused topics. State leaders should also help local efforts learn about available evidence-based trainings (e.g., for mental health providers, community members, first responders, etc.) and get guidance on questions. Importantly, state leaders and coalitions are critical facilitators of people across the state being able to connect with each other on shared interests, such as through webinar conversations, listservs, statewide or regional conferences, and specialized meetings. Finally, the state lead must have plans and mechanisms in place for evaluating the results of these efforts.