Suicide is a major mental health concern that affects thousands of people a year. It has been referred to as a permanent solution to a temporary problem, but many individuals suffering from severe depression and substance use, among other mental health issues, may not see any other solution. Sometimes there are warning signs that an individual may be contemplating suicide, but in many instances there is no warning and families lose daughters, sons, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, and friends. The Surgeon General’s 2012 Report (cited below) provides much information on strategies oriented toward prevention. Between 2001 and 2009 an average of 33,000 suicide deaths occurred each year, which means that over the course of eight years approximately 264,000 loved ones were lost to suicide. Increasing awareness, reducing stigmas, and providing educational resources for people contemplating suicide may be helpful in reducing the number of successful suicides each year.

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/reports/national-strategy-suicide-prevention/full_report-rev.pdf

Also view http://actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org/NSSP for additional information.

After reading the Surgeon General’s “2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action” (pgs. 1 – 21), consider the question(s) below. Then “submit” your response.

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5