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Suicide Prevention
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. Nearly 30,000 deaths a year, or 85 deaths a day, occur as a result of suicide.

The NGA Center for Best Practices is involved in a number of initiatives to help states raise awareness of this issue and to improve states' ability to prevent and respond to these tragedies.

Resources for States

  • The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) links to state suicide prevention plans, state suicide data (fact sheets), and suicide prevention state contact information.

State Suicide Prevention Regional Meetings
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has held three regional roundtables focusing on suicide prevention. The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices has participated in all activities.

Collaboration Around Youth Suicide Prevention - Seattle
The first "Collaboration Around Youth Suicide Prevention (YSP): A Workshop for State Health and Mental Health Officials" was held on January 23-24, 2003 in Seattle, Washington. Co-sponsored with the NGA Center, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), the meeting also included the participation of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), and The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).

Representatives from six states (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming) attended. State teams consisted of State Health Officials, State Mental Health Commissioners, Governor's health policy advisors, chief education officers, legislators, and family advocates.

The roundtable was designed to provide a forum to develop strategies for improving prevention and intervention systems around youth suicide. The goals for the roundtable included:

  • Creating a forum for policymakers to discuss state strategies around youth suicide prevention;
  • Creating opportunities to build relationships to address youth suicide prevention statewide;
  • Raising awareness of current challenges to implementing state youth suicide prevention programs;
  • Empowering officials with policy options to address their state issues related to youth suicide; and
  • Increasing awareness of resources available to assist states and communities.

Collaboration Around Youth Suicide Prevention - New Orleans
The second YSP Roundtable took place December 1-2, 2003 in New Orleans, Louisiana .

Teams from seven states (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas) participated.

Collaboration Around Youth Suicide Prevention - Chicago
The third YSP Roundtable took place November 15-16, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois.

Teams from seven states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin) participated.

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