Sugeon General's Blueprint to Prevent Suicide

NAMI SCC Website

SURGEON GENERAL'S SUICIDE PREVENTION PLAN CALLS FOR MORE SCREENING AND IMPROVED ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS BRAIN DISORDERS

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Today, this Call to Action has been followed up with the release of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP), the result of a two-year collaboration between advocates, clinicians, researchers, and survivors of suicide. The National Strategy addresses the very serious public health problem of suicide with a community-based public health approach that calls on a variety of organizations and individuals to become involved in suicide prevention. The NSSP is the first national attempt to prevent suicide by designing a framework for coordinating resources and services at all levels of government including federal, state, local, and with the private sector. It offers a plan to develop effective services and programs through recommended changes in the judicial, educational, social services, and health care systems.

(click here for National Suicide Prevention Strategy released today).

(click here for Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health released in 1999)

At a news conference Wednesday, May 2, 2001, the Surgeon General was joined by a coalition of public and private groups to introduce an outline of goals and objectives as the first part of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. These goals and objectives highlight NAMI's position that the best way to prevent suicide is through early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment. There are 11 broad goals and 68 more specific objectives in the first part of the Strategy. These can be accessed, along with a summary of the NSSP, on the Internet at: http://www.mentalhealth.org/suicideprevention

NAMI members and advocates should be aware that future activities surrounding the proposed implementation of the NSSP could help improve treatment and services for children and adults with serious brain disorders and their families. Some of the goals and objectives of particular importance to NAMI include:

	Promoting awareness that suicide is a preventable public health problem,
	Defining and implementing screening guidelines for schools, colleges, and correctional institutions, along with guidelines on linkages with service providers,
	Developing and implementing strategies to reduce the stigma associated with being a consumer of mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention services,
	Increasing access to and community linkages with mental health and substance abuse services,
	Providing treatment for more suicidal persons with mental illness,
	Increasing the number of states that require health insurance plans to cover mental health and substance abuse care equally with coverage for physical health care,
	Incorporating suicide risk screening at the primary health care level,
	Improving reporting and accurate portrayals of suicidal behavior, mental illness, and substance abuse in the entertainment and news media field.

The second part of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to be released later this year is a publication recommending safe approaches for media coverage of suicide related events based on the current Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. Future components of the National Strategy will be released as the work is completed.

To view the complete set of goals and objectives for the NSSP go to: http://www.mentalhealth.org/suicideprevention.

NAMI recently began a partnership with HBO (Home Box Office) to launch an educational campaign on a broad range of information about suicide, suicide prevention, and mental illness. NAMI and HBO have developed a Website that provides outreach materials accessible through http://www.hbo.com or http://www.nami.org

For people who may be in acute emotional crises, the Website includes the telephone number of the National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433). Local emergency services also can be reached by dialing 911.

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION STRATEGY MUST EMPHASIZE SCREENING, TREATMENT AND END TO STIGMA

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Richard C. Birkel, Ph.D., Executive Director The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill NAMI commends Surgeon General David Satcher, M.D. for his leadership in producing the National Suicide Prevention Strategy being released today, building on his Call to Action to Prevent Suicide in 1999. (click here for National Suicide Prevention Strategy released today).

The strategy complements the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health published in 1999 and the Surgeon General's National Action Plan on Children's Mental Health released earlier this year (click here for full report). Taken together, these documents emphasize the need for early screening of mental illnesses and access to treatment-as well as the elimination of stigma, born of ignorance and fear, that keeps too many people from seeking help.

Every year, more than 30,000 Americans take their own lives. Suicide is the eighth-leading cause of death in the United States, and the third among our youth, ages 15 to 24. Most suffer from treatable mental illnesses: biological imbalances in the brain, which distort rational thinking and can lead to tragic choices. The majority suffer from some form of depression. Suicide is not the result of a lack of character or courage. Unfortunately, the stigma that surrounds mental illness extends to suicide as well. Treatment works, but only if a person gets it. No one should be ashamed to ask for help. No one should hesitate to express concern and to offer others the help they need. The best way to prevent suicide is through early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment. Routine screening by physicians and public education at all levels is essential to address what is a public health crisis.

Opinions expressed in this web site do not necessarily reflect the views of NAMI Santa Cruz County, NAMI California or any affiliated organizations. We attempt to present a balanced perspective on issues by presenting multiple viewpoints.

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