News & Highlights

This section presents news and highlights from SPRC and the suicide prevention field. Use the filters on the left to find the following items:

  • Weekly Spark, SPRC’s online newsletter, containing brief news articles, research summaries, announcements, and funding opportunities. Subscribe to the Weekly Spark.
  • Director’s Corner, a monthly column by SPRC leadership and guest authors.
  • From the Field, innovative activities being implemented in states, communities, healthcare organizations, and other settings.

Displaying 2987 results. Refine results using the filters on the left.

Weekly Spark

NEW WEBINAR RECORDING: Evidence-Based Treatments for Suicide Prevention

December 06, 2024
We’re pleased to share a new webinar recording that features a panel discussion on evidence-based treatments for suicide prevention. In...
Weekly Spark

Autism Adapted Safety Plans

December 06, 2024
Research shows that autistic people are disproportionately impacted by suicide. However, there are few evidence-based suicide prevention interventions specifically designed...
Weekly Spark

NEW WEBINAR RECORDINGS: Equity in Suicide Prevention

November 22, 2024
We’re pleased to release free recordings of our recent webinar series on equity in suicide prevention. These webinars include guidance...
Weekly Spark

Emergency Department Best Practices

November 22, 2024
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention at EDC (Action Alliance) has released Emergency Department Best Practices: Care Transitions for Individuals with Suicide...
Weekly Spark

Check Out the Latest BPR Listings and Get Ready to Apply!

November 22, 2024
Have you checked out SPRC’s Best Practices Registry (BPR) lately? Since the BPR launched, we’ve added dozens of new programs...
Weekly Spark

Annual Report on Suicide in the Military

November 22, 2024
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has released its annual report on suicide in the military. The report found that...
Weekly Spark

NSDUH Data on LGB+ Youth

November 22, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use...
Weekly Spark

988 Crisis Systems Response: Budgeting for Equity

November 22, 2024
The 988 Crisis Systems Response Training & Technical Assistance Center (CSR-TTAC) is hosting a webinar to help crisis response entities...
Weekly Spark

NEW WEBINAR RECORDING: Suicide Prevention and Health Care Accreditation

November 15, 2024
We’re pleased to share a new webinar recording that features a panel discussion with the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation...
Weekly Spark

Join Us at the IASP Pan-American Conference!

November 15, 2024
We can’t wait for next week’s IASP Pan-American Conference! If you’re planning to attend, stop by the SPRC booth, check...
Weekly Spark

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

November 15, 2024
November 23 is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, an annual observance to help foster healing, connection, and support among...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: LGBTQ+ Youth Data

November 15, 2024
Children’s Safety Network (CSN) is hosting a webinar to discuss how to access and use LGBTQ+ youth data to prevent...
Weekly Spark

Check Out the Latest BPR Listings and Get Ready to Apply!

November 15, 2024
Have you checked out SPRC’s Best Practices Registry (BPR) lately? Since the BPR launched, we’ve added dozens of new programs...
Weekly Spark

Recommendations for Local Suicide Prevention Infrastructure

November 08, 2024
SPRC is excited to release our Recommendations for Local Suicide Prevention Infrastructure. These recommendations can help local groups—such as municipalities, counties,...
Weekly Spark

Resources for Coping With Stress and Anxiety

November 08, 2024
The following resources may be helpful for coping with stress and anxiety: 988 Lifeline supports for you or someone else....
Weekly Spark

SPRC Executive Director Featured on Lifelines Podcast

November 08, 2024
Lifelines: The 988 Podcast has released a new episode featuring SPRC Executive Director Shelby Rowe! In this engaging discussion, Shelby...
Weekly Spark

IASP Pan-American Conference and Lived Experience Collective Convening

November 08, 2024
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) is hosting the IASP Pan-American Conference to foster regional solidarity in advancing suicide...
Weekly Spark

Check Out the Latest BPR Listings and Get Ready to Apply!

November 08, 2024
Have you checked out SPRC’s Best Practices Registry (BPR) lately? Since the BPR launched, we’ve added dozens of new programs...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Among Correctional Officers: An Issue Brief for Clinicians

November 01, 2024
We’re pleased to share a new issue brief designed to help clinicians prevent suicide among correctional officers. Drawing on input...
Weekly Spark

National Native American Heritage Month

November 01, 2024
November is National Native American Heritage Month—a time to honor the richness and diversity of Indigenous cultures and traditions and to...
Weekly Spark

Request for Proposals: Expanding Community-Based Suicide Prevention

November 01, 2024
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Weekly Spark

Check Out the Latest BPR Listings and Get Ready to Apply!

November 01, 2024
Have you checked out SPRC’s Best Practices Registry (BPR) lately? Since the BPR launched, we’ve added dozens of new programs...
Weekly Spark

Check out the Latest BPR Listings and Get Ready to Apply!

October 25, 2024
Have you checked out SPRC’s Best Practices Registry (BPR) lately? In the past several months, we’ve added dozens of new...
Weekly Spark

FCC Adopts Georouting for Wireless Calls to 988

October 25, 2024
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted rules that require all wireless phone companies to implement georouting for calls to...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Peer Support in Emergency Medicine

October 25, 2024
The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) is holding a webinar on peer support in emergency medicine. It will take...
Weekly Spark

Zero Suicide Care Pathway Guide

October 25, 2024
Zero Suicide Institute (ZSI) has released the Zero Suicide Care Pathway Guide to help health care organizations develop care pathways...
Weekly Spark

2024 State and Territorial Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment

October 18, 2024
SPRC is excited to release the results of our fourth annual assessment of suicide prevention infrastructure and capacity of U.S. states...
Weekly Spark

Webinar With SPRC Executive Director Shelby Rowe

October 18, 2024
Deloitte’s webinar featuring SPRC Executive Director Shelby Rowe has been rescheduled for October 22 at 3:15 p.m. ET. This webinar...
Weekly Spark

Check out the Latest BPR Listings and Get Ready to Apply!

October 18, 2024
Have you checked out SPRC’s Best Practices Registry (BPR) lately? In the past several months, we’ve added dozens of new...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: 988 HBCU National Initiative

October 18, 2024
The 988 Crisis Systems Response Training & Technical Assistance Center (CSR-TTAC) is hosting a webinar for students and staff of...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Liability When Adopting AI Technology

October 18, 2024
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing (National Council) is hosting a webinar on liability and risk considerations when adopting artificial...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Caring for the Caregivers in Emergency Medicine

October 18, 2024
The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) is holding a webinar to share strategies for emergency medicine leaders to support...
Weekly Spark

JUST RELEASED: New National Public Perception Data

October 11, 2024
A 2024 national public perception poll on mental health and suicide prevention builds on research from previous years and helps...
Weekly Spark

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance 2023 Reports

October 11, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a series of reports analyzing Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System...
Weekly Spark

Check out the Latest BPR Listings and Apply Today!

October 11, 2024
Have you checked out SPRC’s Best Practices Registry (BPR) lately? In the past several months, we’ve added dozens of new...
Weekly Spark

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Veteran Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

October 11, 2024
The VA Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention (COE-SP) is offering a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in veteran suicide prevention research....
Weekly Spark

New Zero Suicide Resources

October 11, 2024
Zero Suicide Institute (ZSI) has released new Zero Suicide resources. They include Journey Stories with insights from a collaborative effort...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Recording: Suicide Prevention Infrastructure and Behavioral Health Services

October 04, 2024
Our recent webinar on the intersection of suicide prevention infrastructure and community behavioral health services is now available online. Presented...
Weekly Spark

IASP Pan-American Conference and Lived Experience Collective Convening

October 04, 2024
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) is hosting the IASP Pan-American Conference to foster regional solidarity in advancing suicide...
Weekly Spark

New Technical Assistance Center to Serve People With Serious Mental Illness

October 04, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched a new technical assistance center to serve the needs...
Weekly Spark

Check out the Latest BPR Listings and Apply Today!

October 04, 2024
Have you checked out SPRC’s Best Practices Registry (BPR) lately? In the past several months, we’ve added dozens of new...
Weekly Spark

Check out the Latest BPR Listings and Apply Today!

September 27, 2024
Have you checked out SPRC’s Best Practices Registry (BPR) lately? In the past several months, we’ve added dozens of new...
Weekly Spark

Job Opportunity: SPRC Health Care Initiatives Director

September 27, 2024
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is seeking a director of the SPRC Health Care Initiatives Team, which is dedicated to enhancing...
Weekly Spark

See You at CrisisCon24!

September 27, 2024
We’re excited to take part in CrisisCon24, this year’s National Crisis Continuum Conference hosted by Crisis Residential Association and the International Council...
Weekly Spark

988 Georouting Allows for More Localized Response to Crisis Calls

September 27, 2024
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) has announced that it has begun routing calls from cell phones to...
Weekly Spark

Strategies for Accessible and Effective Crisis Care

September 27, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a series of 10 technical assistance briefs that contain...
Weekly Spark

Suicides Involving a Firearm by Age Group

September 27, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a QuickStats on the percentage of suicides and homicides involving...
Weekly Spark

Connect, Invest, Uplift: Protect Black Youth From Suicide

September 20, 2024
We’re excited to release a new infographic with simple, data-driven steps that anyone can take to protect Black youth from...
Weekly Spark

Dialogue Series Features SPRC Executive Director

September 20, 2024
Deloitte is hosting a dialogue series on the future of mental health and suicide prevention. The next webinar in the...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Launches New Webpage

September 20, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched a new webpage on suicide and suicidal behavior. The...
Weekly Spark

VA Awards Suicide Prevention Grants

September 20, 2024
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced several new measures to prevent veteran suicide, including $52.5 million in...
Weekly Spark

Veteran Suicide Prevention Evaluation Program Evaluation Toolkit

September 20, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation have created a toolkit to help veteran serving...
Weekly Spark

The Lancet Series: A Public Health Approach to Suicide Prevention

September 20, 2024
The Lancet Public Health has released a series of articles on a public health approach to suicide prevention. The series...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Training and Resources for Schools

September 13, 2024
As a new school year begins, we’ve compiled a list of training and resources to help schools prevent suicide. Please...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Awards Suicide Prevention Funding

September 13, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $68 million in funding for suicide prevention and mental...
Weekly Spark

New CDC Report: Suicide Rates and County-Level Factors

September 13, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a report on suicide rates and selected county-level factors using...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: State and Tribal Collaboration on Behavioral Health Care

September 13, 2024
The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) is hosting a webinar to share how states and Tribes are working...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Timely and Adaptive Strategies to Optimize Suicide Prevention Interventions

September 13, 2024
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a webinar on timely and adaptive strategies to optimize suicide prevention...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health America Annual Conference

September 13, 2024
Mental Health America (MHA) is hosting their annual conference from September 19 through 21 in Washington, D.C. The theme of...
Weekly Spark

Now Available: 2023 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System Data

September 13, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2023 data...
Weekly Spark

Join Us for 988 Day!

September 06, 2024
Join us this Sunday, September 8, for the first-ever 988 Day! This annual event is dedicated to raising awareness of...
Weekly Spark

#BeThere Twitter/X Chat

September 06, 2024
Be there next week for the annual Suicide Prevention Month #BeThere Twitter/X Chat hosted by the National Action Alliance for...
Weekly Spark

Tools for Promoting the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

September 06, 2024
Enhanced tools are now available for promoting the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy). The tools include an...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss

September 06, 2024
The Indian Health Service (IHS) Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence (TBHCE) is holding a webinar on supporting survivors of suicide...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Suicide Prevention for Organizations Working with Children and Families

September 06, 2024
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is hosting a webinar to share suicide prevention strategies for organizations working with...
Weekly Spark

Livestream Event: Suicide Prevention in Health Care Settings

September 06, 2024
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are hosting a livestream event...
Director's Corner

Helping Crisis Counselors Reduce Access to Lethal Means

August 30, 2024
Learn how SPRC’s new online course is helping crisis counselors reduce access to lethal means among individuals at risk of suicide.
Weekly Spark

Webinar 3: Equity in Suicide Prevention: How Meaningful Relationships With Tribes Can Contribute to Innovative Solutions for Suicide Prevention

August 30, 2024
Join us for the final session of our three-part webinar series on understanding equity in suicide prevention. In this webinar,...
Weekly Spark

Telehealth: Reducing Liability in Suicide Care

August 30, 2024
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has launched the fourth in a series of videos related to...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit

August 30, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released their Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit to help spread...
Weekly Spark

Webinar 1: 988 Crisis Systems Response: Understanding Children, Youth & Family Services

August 30, 2024
The 988 Crisis Systems Response Training & Technical Assistance Center (CSR-TTAC) is hosting the first webinar in a series on...
Weekly Spark

United Natives MMIWR Seminar

August 30, 2024
United Natives is hosting a seminar to address the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives (MMIWR). The...
Weekly Spark

Take Our Free Online Course and Earn CEs or CMEs!

August 23, 2024
We’re pleased to announce our popular online course, Safety Planning for Youth Suicide Prevention, is now offering continuing education credits...
Weekly Spark

Guidance on Systematically Infusing Culture and Diversity in Suicide Prevention Efforts

August 23, 2024
Please join us for a webinar on systematically infusing culture and diversity in suicide prevention efforts. Studies show suicide disproportionately...
Weekly Spark

Mark Your Calendars for 988 Day!

August 23, 2024
Mark your calendars for the first-ever 988 Day on September 8! This annual event is dedicated to raising awareness of...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Assessing Equity in Crisis Response Organizations and Systems

August 23, 2024
The 988 Crisis Systems Response Training & Technical Assistance Center (CSR-TTAC) is hosting a webinar on assessing equity in crisis...
Weekly Spark

Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary and Trends, 2013–2023

August 23, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report:...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Releases 2023 NSDUH Data

August 23, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published the results of the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use...
Weekly Spark

Pain in the Nation 2024

August 23, 2024
Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) has released Pain in the Nation 2024: The Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths....
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Recovery Month Toolkit

August 23, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a toolkit for promoting Recovery Month. The annual September...
Weekly Spark

Parents to Parents: After Your Child’s Suicide Attempt

August 23, 2024
Zero Suicide Institute (ZSI) and Parents-to-Parents (P2P) have created Parents to Parents: After Your Child's Suicide Attempt, a one-hour video...
Weekly Spark

Adolescents Who Do Not Report Risk on the PHQ-9

August 16, 2024
A new study looked at characteristics of adolescents with depression who did not report suicide risk on item 9 of...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Suicide-Focused Assessment and Treatment

August 16, 2024
The Stanford Center for Continuing Medical Education (SCCME) has announced an upcoming webinar training for clinicians on suicide-focused assessment and treatment....
Weekly Spark

Communication and Support as Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth

August 09, 2024
Positive messaging and community support can help promote well-being among LGBTQIA2S+ youth, a new study found. The results suggest a...
Weekly Spark

Understanding History in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

August 09, 2024
The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (National Center) has released a series of training modules on understanding history,...
Weekly Spark

Developing Partnerships in Rural Communities

August 09, 2024
Education Development Center (EDC) and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) recently published Developing Partnerships in Rural...
Weekly Spark

Talking About Lethal Means: A Course for Crisis Counselors

August 02, 2024
We’re pleased to announce the release of our new online course, Talking About Lethal Means: A Course for Crisis Counselors....
Weekly Spark

Focus Group Invitation: Provide Input on Suicide Prevention Coalitions

July 26, 2024
SPRC and NORC at the University of Chicago (NORC) are developing resources to support coalitions focused on preventing suicide in...
Weekly Spark

New National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Reflects Today’s Challenges

July 26, 2024
The Pew Charitable Trusts A recent interview highlights what’s new about the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy),...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Month 2024: Ideas for Action

July 19, 2024
Looking for ways to observe Suicide Prevention Month? Our two-page annual resource offers tips to help anyone, anywhere get involved. In...
Weekly Spark

Two-Year Anniversary of 988

July 19, 2024
July 16 marks two years since the country transitioned to a three-digit number for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline...
Weekly Spark

World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference

July 19, 2024
The Seneca Nation of Indians (The Seneca Nation) will host the World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference (WISPC) from July 24–25...
Weekly Spark

Workshop: Suicide Prevention in Rural Communities

July 19, 2024
The UR Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence and SafeSide Prevention are offering free suicide prevention workshops for service providers in rural communities. The...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Strengths-Based Approaches to Suicide Prevention in Black Communities

July 19, 2024
CAMS-care is hosting a free webinar on strengths-based approaches to preventing suicide among Black youth and emerging adults. The webinar...
Weekly Spark

Webinar 2: Equity in Suicide Prevention: Addressing the Intersection of Mental Health, Suicide, and Social Location

July 12, 2024
Join us for part two of a three-part webinar series on understanding equity in suicide prevention. In this webinar, the...
Weekly Spark

BIPOC Mental Health Month

July 12, 2024
July is dedicated to spreading awareness about the mental health needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). BIPOC...
Weekly Spark

NASMHPD Annual Meeting

July 12, 2024
The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) is hosting its annual meeting from July 21–23 in Washington,...
Weekly Spark

Ordering 988 Print Materials

July 12, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched a new website for ordering print materials to promote...
Weekly Spark

Surveillance for Violent Deaths—NVDRS, 2021

July 12, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on violent deaths using 2021 data from the...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunities: Women’s Behavioral Health

July 12, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced notices of funding opportunities to support women’s behavioral health....
Weekly Spark

Action Alliance New Strategic Priorities

June 28, 2024
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has announced new strategic priorities that will direct its focus over...
Weekly Spark

Assessment of Suicidality in Depression Research

June 28, 2024
A recent meta-analysis (i.e., statistical analysis of multiple studies) found that suicidal thoughts and behaviors are rarely reported in trials...
Weekly Spark

Using Federal Funding to Support Mental Health Services for LGBTQI+ Youth

June 28, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has issued guidance to states and communities on using federal funding...
Weekly Spark

Loneliness, Lack of Social and Emotional Support, and Mental Health Issues

June 28, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on loneliness, lack of social and emotional support,...
Weekly Spark

Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearms Violence

June 28, 2024
The Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) has issued an advisory on firearms violence. The advisory declares firearms violence to...
Weekly Spark

BestPractices4Data: For Grantees, From Grantees

June 28, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published BestPractices4Data, a series of issue briefs and a webinar...
Weekly Spark

2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Applications at the Local Level

June 28, 2024
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is hosting a webinar on the newly released 2024 National Strategy for...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Mortality Review Cooperative Agreements

June 28, 2024
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released a notice of funding opportunity for Suicide Mortality Review Cooperative Agreements....
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunities: Crisis Response Services for Suicide Prevention

June 28, 2024
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released notices for pilot research and research funding opportunities in crisis response...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health on College Campuses: Challenges and Solutions

June 21, 2024
U.S. News and World Report A recent survey found many college students struggle with their mental health but do not...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Suicide Prevention in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

June 21, 2024
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a notice of funding opportunity to support formative research and pilot...
Weekly Spark

Report: Firearm Storage Behaviors

June 21, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a report on firearm storage behaviors using 2021–2022 data from...
Weekly Spark

Changing the Course on Suicide: The Launch of a New National Strategy 

June 14, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a blog post on the new 2024 National Strategy...
Weekly Spark

Older Men Die by Suicide at Steep Rates. Here’s How the VA Is Trying to Change That

June 14, 2024
Los Angeles Times The Veterans Administration (VA) has taken a multi-pronged approach to addressing suicide among older men. Strategies include...
Weekly Spark

Firearms, Mass Shootings, and Suicide Risk Among LGBTQ+ Young People

June 14, 2024
The Trevor Project (Trevor) and the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund (Everytown Support Fund) have published a research brief...
Weekly Spark

Webinar 1: Equity in Suicide Prevention: Access and Impact

June 07, 2024
Join us for part one of a three-part webinar series on understanding equity in suicide prevention. In this webinar, the...
Weekly Spark

Economic Cost of Suicide and Self-Harm

June 07, 2024
Suicide is complex, and its widespread impacts are important to examine from multiple angles. The following research focuses on just...
Weekly Spark

Community Collaboration on Suicide and Overdose Prevention

May 31, 2024
In a recent survey, local mental hygiene directors and suicide and substance use prevention coalition members in New York State...
Weekly Spark

Culture and Context in Youth Suicide Prevention

May 31, 2024
The Children’s Safety Network (CSN) has released a new podcast episode with SPRC Executive Director Shelby Rowe on culture and...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Indicator Tool

May 31, 2024
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has developed a Suicide Indicator Tool to assist health agencies in...
Weekly Spark

PAHO/NIMH Symposium on Suicide Prevention

May 31, 2024
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) are co-hosting the Symposium on Suicide Prevention,...
Director's Corner
A mother and a daughter standing outside

Leading With Lived Experience

May 24, 2024
What does it look like to lead with lived experience? Read this moving piece from Pata Suyemoto to find out.
Weekly Spark

JUST RELEASED: 988 Formative Research on Trusted Messengers

May 24, 2024
New critical research and communications tools for 988 are now available. These novel resources are focused on engaging the trusted...
Weekly Spark

National Strategy to Improve Maternal Mental Health Care

May 24, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Task Force on Maternal Mental Health has released the National Strategy...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Preview the Next Phase of 988 Formative Research

May 17, 2024
The Crisis Systems Response Training and Technical Assistance Center (CSR-TTAC) is hosting a webinar to preview the next phase of...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Intersection of Suicide Prevention Infrastructure and Behavioral Health Services

May 17, 2024
The MHTTC Network Coordinating Office is hosting a webinar to explore the intersection of suicide prevention infrastructure and community behavioral...
Weekly Spark

2024 National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People

May 17, 2024
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released the 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, which...
Weekly Spark

Implementing the 2024 National Strategy

May 10, 2024
Want to prevent suicide but not sure where to start? We got you! As you may know, the 2024 National Strategy...
Weekly Spark

2023 Tribal Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment  

May 03, 2024
SPRC is excited to release our 2023 Tribal Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment. This technical report presents findings on the suicide prevention...
Weekly Spark

Connect With Us at AAS24!

May 03, 2024
We’re excited to join our friends and colleagues at the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) annual conference next week. If...
Weekly Spark

Job Opportunity: SPRC Community Initiatives Manager

May 03, 2024
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is seeking a manager to support operations for SPRC’s new Community Initiatives Team. Candidates should...
Weekly Spark

Just Released: 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

April 26, 2024
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National...
Weekly Spark

Safety Planning for Youth Suicide Prevention—Now Offering CMEs!

April 26, 2024
We’re pleased to announce that our popular online course, Safety Planning for Youth Suicide Prevention, is now offering continuing education...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Month Toolkit

April 26, 2024
Mental Health America (MHA) has released the 2024 Mental Health Month Toolkit to help everyone get started on raising mental...
Weekly Spark

Few Hospitals Follow Recommended Practices for Evidence-Based Suicide Care

April 19, 2024
The Pew Charitable Trusts According to a recent survey, hospitals can improve their suicide care by adopting more best practices...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Mental Health Month Awareness Toolkit

April 19, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released their 2024 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit. It includes...
Weekly Spark

Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium

April 19, 2024
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is hosting the seventh annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium. This free...
Weekly Spark

Words Matter Wednesdays

April 19, 2024
The National Family Support Technical Assistance Center (NFSTAC) is hosting a webinar series on advancing equity through language. The series will...
Weekly Spark

Telehealth: Including Family or Other Support People

April 12, 2024
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has launched the third in a series of videos related to...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Director’s Message: Lived Experience Perspectives on Autism

April 12, 2024
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has published a director's message about NIMH’s role in federal autism coordination efforts...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Autism in Black Communities

April 12, 2024
The Central East Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (Central East MHTTC) is hosting a webinar to discuss some unique considerations...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention Program

April 05, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for the Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and...
Weekly Spark

AI Is Turning Social Media Into the Next Frontier for Suicide Prevention

April 05, 2024
Time Magazine Artificial intelligence (AI) may be a promising tool for preventing suicide on social media. However, more research is...
Weekly Spark

Gender Inclusion in Fatality Review

April 05, 2024
The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (National Center) is hosting a webinar on why and how to implement...
Weekly Spark

National ERPO Resource Center

April 05, 2024
The U.S. Department of Justice (Justice Department) has launched the National Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Resource Center. This center will...
Weekly Spark

Injury and Violence Prevention Funding Resources

April 05, 2024
The Safe States Alliance (Safe States) has released a National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) state-specific funding brief...
Weekly Spark

Black Trans, Nonbinary Youth Have Higher Suicide Risk Than Cisgender Queer Peers

March 29, 2024
Advocate A new research brief calls on all adults to help prevent suicide among Black LGBTQ+ youth by reducing their...
Weekly Spark

Promoting the Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care: States

March 29, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting grant applications for states to promote the integration of...
Weekly Spark

Practice-Based Suicide Prevention Research Centers Meeting

March 29, 2024
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting an online meeting to overview the projects underway at the Practice-Based...
Weekly Spark

Getting Further With Zero Suicide: Health Care Worker Wellness

March 29, 2024
Zero Suicide Institute (ZSI) is holding a webinar on ways to support the well-being of health care workers in suicide...
Weekly Spark

Online Racial Discrimination and Suicidal Thoughts Among Black Adolescents

March 22, 2024
A recent study examined online racial discrimination, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and suicidal thoughts among Black adolescents. The researchers found...
Weekly Spark

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Social Determinants of Health

March 22, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a report on racial and ethnic differences in social determinants...
Weekly Spark

WISQARS Updates

March 22, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Web-Based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) now includes 2021 fatal and nonfatal injury data, provisional...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Lethal Means Safety in Health Care and Community Settings 

March 22, 2024
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a funding opportunity to evaluate lethal means safety strategies that reduce...
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“We Don't Want to Be First Place.” Wyoming Tries to Address High Gun Suicide Rates

March 15, 2024
NPR Wyoming is taking a comprehensive approach to addressing high suicide rates. Strategies include a locally staffed 988 crisis line,...
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APA Resolution on Secure Firearms Storage

March 15, 2024
The American Psychological Association (APA) has adopted a resolution on the secure storage of firearms and lethal means safety strategies...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Improving Health Outcomes in Rural Populations

March 15, 2024
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a funding opportunity announcement for research to improve health outcomes and advance...
Weekly Spark

CDC Releases Updated Guidance on Community Response to Suicide Clusters

March 08, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated guidance for communities on assessing, investigating, and responding to...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program

March 08, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program....
Weekly Spark

Virtual Summit: Suicide Safer Care in Clinical Practice

March 08, 2024
The Wellness Institute (TWI) is hosting the fourth annual summit on suicide safer care in clinical practice. This virtual training is designed...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Zero Suicide and Serious Mental Illness

March 01, 2024
We’re pleased to share a new webinar recording that provides an overview of the Zero Suicide framework in the context...
Weekly Spark

Reasons for Suicidal Thoughts in Black Young Adults

March 01, 2024
A recent study examined patterns in the reasons for suicidal thoughts among Black young adults. Researchers recruited participants from a...
Weekly Spark

Discrimination Among Black LGBTQ+ Young People and Suicide Risk

March 01, 2024
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has published a research brief on discrimination among Black LGBTQ+ young people and suicide risk....
Weekly Spark

Prevention Technology Transfer Center Cooperative Agreements

March 01, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for Prevention Technology Transfer Center cooperative agreements. Applications...
Weekly Spark

Positive Communication Network Conference

March 01, 2024
The Positive Communication Network is hosting a free online conference to explore how to address loneliness and promote connection. It...
Weekly Spark

Rising Latino Suicide Rates Worry Community Leaders

February 23, 2024
NBC News Advocates are calling for increased efforts to address suicide among Hispanic and Latino communities. In the past decade,...
Weekly Spark

Informational Session: NCTSN Breakthrough Series Collaborative

February 23, 2024
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) is holding an informational session to discuss its breakthrough series collaborative on trauma-informed...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Bridge-to-Care Initiative

February 23, 2024
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a funding opportunity announcement for the Bridge-to-Care Initiative. The purpose of the...
Weekly Spark

LOSSteam Refreshed Website and Volunteer Retention

February 23, 2024
LOSSteam Postvention Consulting, LLC, is hosting a virtual event to present their refreshed website as well as discuss training and...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Trends Among Black Women in the U.S.

February 16, 2024
A first-of-its-kind study examined trends in the epidemiology of suicide among Black girls and women by geographic region in the...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: How Do We Develop Meaningful Measures for SOGI?

February 16, 2024
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is hosting a webinar that will explore how to ask questions about sexual orientation...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Community-Led Suicide Prevention

February 16, 2024
Education Development Center (EDC) is hosting a webinar for state and community prevention leaders to learn strategies for assessing and...
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Blog Post: Safe and Secure Firearms Storage Policies

February 16, 2024
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has published a blog post on preventing firearms injury and death...
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Nearly 50,000 Veterans Used Free Emergency Suicide Prevention in First Year of Program, VA Says

February 09, 2024
CBS News Nearly 50,000 veterans accessed free crisis care in the first year of a new policy from the Department...
Weekly Spark

L.E.T.S. Save Lives

February 09, 2024
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has released L.E.T.S. Save Lives, a presentation created by and for Black people...
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Roadmap to Black Mental Health

February 09, 2024
The Mental Health Coalition has released the Roadmap to Black Mental Health, a comprehensive guide to understanding the specific mental...
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VA Suicide Prevention Grants

February 09, 2024
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the availability of funds for the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant...
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Webinar: Behavioral Health Equity Best Practices for African Americans

February 02, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE) is hosting a webinar on...
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Americans on Medicare now get better access to mental health care. Here's how

February 02, 2024
WBUR People with the federal health insurance Medicare now have more access to mental health treatment. As of January 1,...
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Social Support, Violence, and Suicidal Thoughts Among Transgender Women

February 02, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on how social support may moderate the association...
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Peer Support Guide for People in Recovery

February 02, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a guide to peer support for people in recovery...
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Telehealth: Screening for Suicide Risk – Practical Tips and Best Practices

January 26, 2024
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has launched the second in a series of videos related to...
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CALIFORNIA: Suicide Prevention Net Beneath Golden Gate Bridge Completed, Say Officials

January 26, 2024
The Guardian Early this month, officials announced the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge suicide prevention net. This announcement comes...
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Getting Further With Zero Suicide: Care Pathways

January 26, 2024
Zero Suicide Institute (ZSI) is hosting a webinar that will explore suicide care pathways and their effectiveness at engaging individuals...
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Job Opening: Zero Suicide Research Scientist

January 26, 2024
Education Development Center (EDC) is seeking a research scientist to lead and direct a large, federally funded project focused on...
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Perceived Life Expectancy and Life Purpose in LGBTQ+ Young People

January 26, 2024
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released a research brief on perceived life expectancy and life purpose in LGBTQ+ young people....
Weekly Spark

Experience, Ethics, Equity

January 26, 2024
BMJ Mental Health has announced a new section called Experience, Ethics, Equity that seeks submissions of primary research, systematic reviews,...
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New CMS Model to Test Health Care Integration

January 26, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched a new model to test approaches for addressing the behavioral...
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“It Allows Doctors to Be Human Beings”: Mass. Hospitals Will Stop Asking Clinicians About Past Mental Health and Addiction

January 19, 2024
WBUR Medical licensing forms in Massachusetts will no longer include questions about mental health and substance use history. This marks...
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988 Lifeline Partner Toolkit Updates

January 19, 2024
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released new and updated materials to help spread the word...
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Reporting Lived Experience Work

January 19, 2024
The Lancet Psychiatry has announced that it will now require authors to report on whether and how people with lived...
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Problem Gambling and Suicide Prevention

January 19, 2024
The Massachusetts Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling Prevention (MCEOPGP) is hosting a webinar on the intersections of problem gambling...
Weekly Spark

Advancing the Science on Peer Support and Suicide Prevention

January 19, 2024
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a two-day workshop on advancing the science on peer support and...
Weekly Spark

Pilots Say They're Afraid to Seek Mental Health Care. The FAA Says It's Listening

January 12, 2024
NPR Federal regulators say they are taking steps to support pilots’ mental health. Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)...
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Tribal Boarding School Toolkit for Healing

January 12, 2024
The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) has released the Tribal Boarding School Toolkit for Healing. This toolkit provides...
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Report on Conversion Therapy Prevalence

January 12, 2024
The Trevor Project (Trevor) recently released It’s Still Happening: A Report on Practitioners of So-Called Conversion “Therapy” in the U.S....
Weekly Spark

WRAP: A Personalized, Peer-Based Suicide Prevention Tool

January 12, 2024
United Suicide Survivors International (US) is hosting a webinar on Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP). Presenters will discuss how WRAP...
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Addressing Human Trafficking in Behavioral Health

January 12, 2024
The Southeast Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (Southeast MHTTC) is hosting a webinar on understanding and addressing human trafficking in...
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SPRC Highlights in 2023

January 05, 2024
2023 Webinars 2021 Tribal Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment Best Practices Registry (BPR) Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+...
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A Look Back at Director’s Corners in 2023

January 05, 2024
Learning From Autistic Lived Experience Inclusion Is Key to Mental Health Meeting Rural Men Where They Are 988 Lifeline: Crisis...
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A Look Back at Research Summaries in 2023

January 05, 2024
Suicide Risk Screening in Pediatric Primary Care Suicide Risk Screening in Adult Primary Care Screen Time and Suicide Risk Among...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at News in 2023

January 05, 2024
Reading First-Hand Stories May Help Reduce Suicidal Thoughts I Don’t Wanna Be: Suicide Rates Are Rising among Young Black Men...
Weekly Spark

Happy Holidays from SPRC!

December 22, 2023
Happy Holidays! Thank you for being a part of our community. We wish you peace this holiday season and look...
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Warning Signs Resources

December 15, 2023
Do you know the warning signs of suicide? We’ve developed resources to help everyone recognize the signs that someone may...
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Come Work With Us!

December 15, 2023
SPRC is hiring! Check out our new job openings and share them through your channels: Marketing Specialist Tribal Initiatives Program...
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Pilot of a Veteran Suicide Prevention Learning Collaborative

December 15, 2023
This article evaluates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VA/COmmunity Suicide Prevention LeArning CollaboraTive (CO-ACT) pilot project. VA created CO-ACT...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation

December 15, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on suicide rates by industry and occupation in...
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Updated 988 Lifeline FAQs

December 15, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has updated the frequently asked questions in the 988 Partner Toolkit....
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Youth Suicide: Current Trends and the Path to Prevention

December 15, 2023
The Jed Foundation (JED) has released Youth Suicide: Current Trends and the Path to Prevention. The report explores the latest...
Weekly Spark

Support During the Holidays

December 15, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has developed communication materials for promoting mental health and substance use...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Data Strategy

December 15, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released its 2023–2026 data strategy. The strategy outlines SAMHSA’s commitment...
Weekly Spark

Beyond Numbers: Navigating Data for Suicide Prevention

December 08, 2023
We’re excited to share our new online course, Beyond Numbers: Navigating Data for Suicide Prevention. This free, self-paced course can...
Weekly Spark

Alcohol Use Disorder and Suicidal Thoughts: Racial and Ethnic Differences

December 08, 2023
A new study examined racial and ethnic differences in the likelihood a patient with alcohol use disorder (AUD) would be...
Weekly Spark

New 988 Lifeline Videos and Print Materials

December 08, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has added new videos to the 988 Partner Toolkit on warning...
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Provisional Suicide Data, 2022

December 08, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released provisional estimates of suicide by...
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Firearm Suicide by Race and Ethnicity, 2019–2022

December 08, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on firearm suicide by race and ethnicity from...
Weekly Spark

Behavioral Health Toolkit for Israel-Hamas Conflict

December 08, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has developed a toolkit of behavioral health resources related to the...
Weekly Spark

Check out the Latest BPR Listings and Apply Today!

December 01, 2023
Have you checked out SPRC’s Best Practices Registry (BPR) lately? In the past several months, we’ve added dozens of programs...
Weekly Spark

988 Formative Research Webinar

December 01, 2023
The Ad Council Research Institute (ACRI) and National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) are hosting a webinar on...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Among Adults Ages 55 and Older

December 01, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a data brief on suicide...
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2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report

December 01, 2023
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report....
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Military Communication Guide for Preventing Firearm Suicide

December 01, 2023
The Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) has developed a communication guide to preventing firearm suicide for military leaders and support...
Weekly Spark

Sesame Street for Military Families: Grief Resources

December 01, 2023
Sesame Street for Military Families has released new resources to help families navigate the grief of losing a loved one...
Weekly Spark

Native Connections: 2024 Grant Opportunities

December 01, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has updated its funding opportunity to prevent suicide and promote mental health among...
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Native and Strong Lifeline: The Nation’s First 988 Crisis Line for Indigenous People

November 17, 2023
We’re honored to announce the release of Native and Strong Lifeline: The Nation’s First 988 Crisis Line for Indigenous People....
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Universal Suicide Risk Screening in Teens

November 17, 2023
This article responds to a recent recommendation statement from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (UPSTF) on universal suicide...
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SAMHSA Releases 2022 NSDUH Findings

November 17, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and...
Weekly Spark

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

November 17, 2023
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is holding its annual International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day tomorrow, Saturday, November...
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Addressing the Intersection of Suicide, Overdose, and Adverse Childhood Experiences

November 17, 2023
Education Development Center (EDC) and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) have released guidance for local health departments...
Weekly Spark

Measuring Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Support

November 17, 2023
The American Evaluation Association (AEA) has published an AEA365 blog post on measuring suicide prevention infrastructure support using an example...
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Emergency Department Intervention to Reduce Adult Suicide Risk

November 17, 2023
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a research highlight on an emergency department intervention for reducing adult...
SUCCESS STORY

Native and Strong Lifeline: The Nation's First 988 Crisis Line for Indigenous People 

November 15, 2023
Read about the nation's first 988 crisis line for Indigenous people.
Weekly Spark

Safety Planning for Youth Suicide Prevention

November 10, 2023
We’re pleased to announce the release of our new online course, Safety Planning for Youth Suicide Prevention. This free, self-paced...
Weekly Spark

988 Formative Research Project

November 10, 2023
New research on messaging about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) is now available. This mixed-methods formative research...
Weekly Spark

New CDC Campaign Asks Health Care Leaders to Take Responsibility for Reducing Burnout

November 10, 2023
STAT A new campaign offers health care leaders data-driven strategies to address health worker burnout. Unlike many workplace programs that...
Weekly Spark

Recognizing the Role of Peers in Recovery for Veterans

November 10, 2023
In honor of Veterans Day, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a blog post on...
Weekly Spark

Tips for Autistic Trans People Seeking Health Care

November 10, 2023
The Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) recently shared tips for autistic trans people about finding and going to doctors....
Weekly Spark

Understanding and Preventing Young Adults’ Mental Health Challenges

November 10, 2023
The Harvard Graduate School of Education's Making Caring Common project has released On Edge: Understanding and Preventing Young Adults' Mental Health Challenges....
Weekly Spark

2023 State and Territorial Needs Assessment: Overview and Tools

November 03, 2023
SPRC is excited to release our 2023 State and Territorial Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment Overview. This resource summarizes findings from the third...
Weekly Spark

National Native American Heritage Month

November 03, 2023
November is National Native American Heritage Month—a time to honor the richness and diversity of Indigenous cultures and traditions and to...
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CrisisCon23

November 03, 2023
SPRC is honored to participate in A National Crisis Continuum Conference (CrisisCon23) November 13 to 16 in Charlotte, North Carolina....
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New 988 Lifeline Awareness Videos

November 03, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has added two new videos to the 988 Partner Toolkit—The 988...
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988 Tribal Mental Health Lifeline Summit

November 03, 2023
The Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselor Association (ODAPCA) is hosting the 988 Tribal Mental Health Lifeline Summit on November...
Weekly Spark

Check out the Latest BPR Listings and Apply Today!

October 27, 2023
Have you checked out SPRC’s Best Practices Registry (BPR) lately? In the past several months, we’ve added dozens of programs...
Weekly Spark

The Importance of Screening for Suicide Risk in Telehealth

October 27, 2023
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has launched the first in a series of videos related to...
Weekly Spark

More Obituaries Acknowledge Suicide as Openness on Mental Health Grows

October 27, 2023
The Washington Post As conversation about mental health grows, more obituaries are naming suicide as the cause of death. In...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health of Latinx LGBTQ Young People

October 27, 2023
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released a report on the mental health and well-being of Latinx LGBTQ young people. It...
Weekly Spark

Health Professionals’ Working Conditions and Mental Health

October 27, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on health worker-perceived working conditions and symptoms of...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth: Full Series of Guides

October 20, 2023
We are proud to release our full series of guides to help professionals, families, and communities support the mental well-being...
Weekly Spark

LGBTQ Teens Often Struggle to Find Mental Health Care Tailored to Them

October 20, 2023
NBC News There is a critical shortage of mental health care tailored for LGBTQ youth. According to a recent study,...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Client-Level Data

October 20, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released data on clients receiving mental health treatment services through...
Weekly Spark

Zero Suicide Institute Global Forum

October 20, 2023
Education Development Center (EDC) will host the Zero Suicide Institute Global Forum on November 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 7...
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Collaborating with Tribal Communities: Jurisdictional Considerations

October 13, 2023
Join us for part five of a six-part webinar series to help crisis centers build collaborative, sustainable relationships with tribal...
Weekly Spark

Championing LGBTQIA2S+ Youth Mental Health

October 13, 2023
In honor of this week’s World Mental Health Day and National Coming Out Day, we encourage you to share our...
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Intimate Partner Violence and Suicidality

October 13, 2023
A recent study in England found an association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and suicidality and self-harm. Researchers used data...
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Suicide Research Symposium Call for Proposals

October 13, 2023
The third annual Suicide Research Symposium (SRS) has issued a call for proposals with a submission deadline of November 5....
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth: Resource Guide for Professionals, Families, and Communities

October 06, 2023
Check out our new resource guide to help professionals, families, and communities support the mental well-being of LGBTQIA2S+ youth. Developed...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Video Series

October 06, 2023
The National Football League (NFL), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988...
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Taking Community Suicide Prevention to the Next Level

October 06, 2023
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has published a blog post on community-based suicide prevention. The post highlights a...
Weekly Spark

Lethal Means Safety

October 06, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a blog post on lethal means safety for suicide...
Weekly Spark

October is Prevention Month

October 06, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is observing Youth Substance Use Prevention and Substance Misuse Prevention Month...
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Preventing Bullying and Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth

October 06, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Trevor Project (Trevor) are hosting a Facebook Live event on...
Weekly Spark

Living Beyond Suicide Summit

October 06, 2023
United Suicide Survivors International (US) is hosting the Living Beyond Suicide Summit to discuss suicide and community in the context...
Weekly Spark

2023 State and Territorial Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment

September 29, 2023
SPRC is excited to release our 2023 State and Territorial Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment (SNA). This technical report presents complete findings...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Awards Funding for Suicide Prevention

September 29, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $232.2 million in grants for suicide prevention and behavioral...
Weekly Spark

As Suicide Rates Rise, Bereavement Camps Bring Healing to Kids Left Behind

September 29, 2023
TIME Bereavement camps are helping kids heal from suicide loss. A network of camps across the U.S. offers supportive spaces...
Weekly Spark

Seasonal Trends in Mental Health Emergency Department Visits Among Youth

September 29, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on seasonal trends in emergency department visits for...
Weekly Spark

Acceptance from Adults Lowers Suicide Risk Among LGBTQ Youth

September 29, 2023
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released a research brief that found acceptance from adults is associated with lower rates of...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Awards Funding for Community Behavioral Health Clinics

September 29, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $127.7 million to expand Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics...
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SAMHSA Awards Funding to Support Youth and Families at Risk

September 29, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $131.7 million to help connect youth and families to...
Weekly Spark

Hope: A Guide for Faith Leaders to Help Prevent Youth Suicide

September 29, 2023
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance), SPRC, and the HHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (Partnership...
Weekly Spark

Hope: A Guide for Faith Leaders to Help Prevent Youth Suicide

September 22, 2023
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance), SPRC, and the HHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (Partnership...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Respite Facilities Are Filling Care Gaps in Over a Dozen States

September 22, 2023
CBS News Mental health respite facilities may help meet the needs of people who are struggling but do not need...
Weekly Spark

Age-Adjusted Suicide Rated by Method, 2001–2021

September 22, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a QuickStats on age-adjusted suicide rates by method using 2001–2021...
Weekly Spark

Veteran Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project Grants

September 22, 2023
The CDC Foundation has extended the deadline for Veteran Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project grant proposals to September 29 at 12...
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Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth: Resource Guide for Professionals, Families, and Communities

September 15, 2023
We are pleased to release a new guide to help professionals, families, and communities support the mental well-being of Lesbian,...
Weekly Spark

Pain in the Nation 2023: The Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths

September 15, 2023
Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) is hosting a webinar to discuss findings from their most recent annual Pain in the...
Weekly Spark

988 Lifeline Launches Videophone for ASL Users

September 15, 2023
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) has launched a new videophone option for American Sign Language (ASL) users....
Weekly Spark

The Toll of Police Violence on Black People’s Mental Health

September 15, 2023
The New York Times According to research, when a Black person is hurt or killed by the police in the...
Weekly Spark

Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits Involving Suicide Attempts

September 15, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) short report on...
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Now Available: 2022 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System Data

September 15, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2022 data...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Funding: Systems-Level Risk Detection in Youth from Underserved Populations

September 15, 2023
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has re-issued funding opportunity announcements for companion planning and research project grants to study systems-level risk detection...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention and the Aging Population

September 15, 2023
The Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (Central East ATTC) is hosting a webinar on suicide prevention and the aging...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Resources for Schools

September 08, 2023
As students and teachers head back to school, help put suicide prevention on the agenda for the new academic year by...
Weekly Spark

New Laws Aim to Combat the Youth Mental Health Crisis. Here’s What They Do

September 08, 2023
Education Week A new report outlines recommendations and progress on state support for student mental health. Released by Inseparable’s Hopeful...
Weekly Spark

2023 Back to School Toolkit

September 08, 2023
Mental Health America (MHA) has released the 2023 Back to School Toolkit to help students, caregivers, and school staff protect...
Weekly Spark

NAMI Shares: Back to School Resources

September 08, 2023
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has shared new back to school resources to build student resilience for parents,...
Weekly Spark

Get Involved in Suicide Prevention Month

September 01, 2023
Suicide Prevention Month is finally here! Throughout September, join us in highlighting the ways that anyone, anywhere can get involved...
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#BeThere: Words from the Action Alliance Executive Committee

September 01, 2023
In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Executive Committee (Action Alliance EXCOM) is sharing...
Weekly Spark

Still Ringing the Alarm: An Enduring Call to Action for Black Youth Suicide Prevention

September 01, 2023
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Gun Violence Solutions has released Still Ringing the Alarm: An...
Weekly Spark

ChatGPT’s Responses to Suicide, Addiction, Sexual Assault Crises Raise Questions in New Study

September 01, 2023
CNN Artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT may not be reliable sources of help for people in crisis, according to...
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UTAH: No One Knows How Many LGBTQ Americans Die by Suicide

September 01, 2023
The New York Times Most death investigations in the U.S. do not collect data on sexual orientation or gender identity,...
Weekly Spark

New 988 Partner Toolkit Materials

September 01, 2023
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) has added new marketing materials to the 988 Partner Toolkit. The new content includes social...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Awards Funding for Mental Health Services

September 01, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded more than $64 million in funding to expand mental...
Weekly Spark

Coming Face to Face with Suicide in American Farming

September 01, 2023
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a webinar on preventing suicide in American farming communities. It will...
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Surgeon General Lays Out Framework to Tackle Loneliness and “Mend the Social Fabric of Our Nation”

August 25, 2023
CNN U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently released an advisory on the country’s “epidemic of loneliness and isolation.” Part of...
Weekly Spark

U.S. Depression Rates Reach New Highs

August 25, 2023
Gallup Rates of current and lifetime depression among U.S. adults are the highest since Gallup began collecting these data in...
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SAMHSA 2023–2026 Strategic Plan

August 25, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released the agency’s 2023–2026 Strategic Plan, which includes a new...
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New CDC Injury and Violence Prevention Funding Awarded

August 25, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded funding to The Safe States Alliance (Safe States) to strengthen...
Director's Corner

Be the Change: How to Support Suicide Prevention Efforts This September

August 18, 2023
This Suicide Prevention Month, let's encourage everyone to get involved.
Weekly Spark

#BeThere Twitter Chat

August 18, 2023
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is hosting its annual #BeThere Twitter chat for Suicide Prevention Month....
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2022 Provisional Suicide Data

August 18, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released provisional data on suicide deaths in the U.S. in 2022....
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Facebook Live: Youth Suicide Prevention

August 18, 2023
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a Facebook Live event for Suicide Prevention Month. The event will...
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Behavioral Health Care Barriers in Rural New York

August 11, 2023
A recent study examined service providers’ views on behavioral health care delivery barriers in rural New York. Researchers held focus...
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Blog Post: Guide to Equity Terminology

August 11, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a blog post that previews its Guide to Equity...
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New Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Funding Recipients

August 11, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced seven new recipients of its Comprehensive Suicide Prevention funding. CDC...
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Veteran Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project Grants

August 11, 2023
The CDC Foundation is requesting proposals for Veteran Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project grants. A bidders call will take place on...
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Grant Opportunity: Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances

August 11, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for grants to expand and sustain comprehensive community...
Weekly Spark

Check Out New Suicide Data Visualizations

August 04, 2023
We are pleased to release new visualizations of the latest data on suicide in the U.S. They include information on...
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For One Group of Teenagers, Social Media Seems a Clear Net Benefit

August 04, 2023
The New York Times While social media may be harmful for some teens, it can be a lifeline for LGBTQ...
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MASSACHUSETTS: Program at William James College Tries to Reduce Veteran Suicide by Focusing on Relationship to Guns

August 04, 2023
WBUR A college program is training mental health professionals how to talk about reducing access to guns with veterans at...
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Youth Emergency Department Visits for Mental Health

August 04, 2023
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) researchers have published a study that found youth emergency department visits for mental health...
Weekly Spark

Investigating Child and Youth Suicide

August 04, 2023
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released recordings of a recent workshop on the challenges of investigating child...
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Webinar: Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth in Schools

August 04, 2023
The Mid-America Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (Mid-America MHTTC) is hosting a webinar on supporting the mental well-being of LGBTQIA+...
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Suicide Prevention Month: Ideas for Action

July 28, 2023
Want to get involved in Suicide Prevention Month? Check out our updated annual resource for ideas on how! This September, we invite...
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988 Lifeline Launches Spanish Text and Chat

July 28, 2023
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Lifeline) has launched text and chat services in Spanish. To access, text AYUDA to...
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Notice of Intent: Identifying Preteen Suicide Risk

July 28, 2023
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has issued a notice of intent to release a funding opportunity for approaches...
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Mental and Substance Use Disorders Prevalence Study

July 28, 2023
RTI International (RTI) has released findings from the SAMHSA-funded Mental and Substance Use Disorders Prevalence Study. The study measured the...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Youth Violence Prevention

July 28, 2023
The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) has released a funding opportunity for research on interventions to...
Director's Corner

988 Lifeline: Crisis Care That Feels Like Care

July 21, 2023
On the one-year anniversary of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, let’s build on its progress to expand crisis services nationwide.
Weekly Spark

Crisis Services for Indigenous People

July 21, 2023
The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB), in partnership with the Indian Health Service (IHS), has developed an interactive...
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2021 Fatal Injury Data Now Available in WISQARS

July 21, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) to...
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Suicide Data Indicators Explorer

July 21, 2023
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed a Suicide Data Indicators...
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Listening Session for American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans

July 21, 2023
PsychArmor is hosting a listening session to hear the experiences and perspectives of American Indian and Alaska Native veterans. It...
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BIPOC Mental Health Month

July 14, 2023
July is dedicated to spreading awareness about the mental health needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). BIPOC...
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One-Year Anniversary of 988

July 14, 2023
July 16 marks one year since the country transitioned to a three-digit number for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline...
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Pediatric Emergency Department Visit Follow-Up

July 14, 2023
A recent study examined rates of follow-up outpatient care for children discharged from emergency departments after mental health care visits....
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NEW YORK: Street Teams and Clubhouses: A New Plan to Help Mentally Ill New Yorkers

July 14, 2023
The New York Times New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently announced a plan to increase services for people with...
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Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences

July 14, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a report on the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences among...
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SAMHSA Awards Youth Behavioral Health Grants

July 14, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $31.5 million in behavioral health grants for children, youth,...
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Integrated Mental and Physical Health Care for Black Communities

July 14, 2023
The Central East Mental Health Transfer Technology Center (Central East MHTTC) is hosting a webinar on integrated mental and physical...
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Policy of Inclusion – The Next Phase of Peer Involvement

July 14, 2023
The Mental Health Policy Roundtable is hosting “Policy of Inclusion – The Next Phase of Peer Involvement.” This virtual roundtable...
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Collaborating with Tribal Communities: Tribal Sovereignty

July 07, 2023
Join us for part five of a six-part webinar series to help crisis centers build collaborative, sustainable relationships with tribal...
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988 Suicide Lifeline Expanding LGBTQ Services with 24/7 Chat and Text

July 07, 2023
ABC News The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is offering 24/7 specialized services for LGBTQ+ young people. In September, the...
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Student-Athletes Aren't Immune from Suicide Risk. Colleges Are Taking Notice.

July 07, 2023
CBS News Colleges are increasing mental health supports for student athletes. These efforts follow the recent suicide deaths of college...
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Practical Guide for Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach

July 07, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a practical guide for implementing a trauma-informed approach. This...
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Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Behavioral Health

June 23, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Behavioral Health: Results from the...
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New 988 Lifeline Social Media Shareables

June 23, 2023
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Lifeline) has added new social media shareables to the 988 Partner Toolkit. The new content includes social media posts...
Director's Corner

Meeting Rural Men Where They Are

June 23, 2023
To reduce suicide rates among rural men, we need to meet them where they are.
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Homicide Rates Among Young People

June 23, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a data brief on suicide...
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Prevalence Estimates of Depression

June 23, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published national, state-, and county-level prevalence estimates of adults ages 18...
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Apply to Be a Reviewer for SPRC’s Best Practices Registry!

June 16, 2023
The SPRC BPR team is currently building a pool of reviewers with a wide range of expertise to review BPR...
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Youth Mental Health: Action Steps to Support America’s Youth

June 16, 2023
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and its partners have released Youth Mental Health: Action Steps to...
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The Veterans Crisis Line Is Fielding a Record Number of Cries for Help, VA Stats Show

June 16, 2023
NBC News The Veterans Crisis Line is experiencing record call volume. In March of this year, the crisis line received...
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Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Youth

June 16, 2023
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released a guide to being an ally to transgender and nonbinary young people. This educational...
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Suicide-Focused Assessment and Treatment

June 16, 2023
McLean Hospital (McLean) and the Stanford Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences are hosting a free online course on...
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SAMHSA Awards Garrett Lee Smith Funding

June 09, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded funding to states, tribes, and college campuses to help...
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988 Committees Accepting Applications

June 09, 2023
Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant) is relaunching the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) Committees and Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH)...
Weekly Spark

Almost Half of Children Who Go to ER With Mental Health Crisis Don’t Get the Follow-Up Care They Need, Study Finds

June 09, 2023
CNN A new study found that many children don’t receive the follow-up care they need following a mental emergency department...
Weekly Spark

ENGLAND: Women Who Suffer Domestic Abuse Three Times as Likely to Attempt Suicide

June 09, 2023
The Guardian A recent study in England found a link between intimate partner violence (IPV) and self-harm and suicidality. This...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Awards Grants for Mobile Crisis Response

June 09, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded 13 grants to communities to expand mobile crisis response...
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Behavioral Health Equity: LGBTQI+ Populations

June 09, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is offering a variety of resources to help promote behavioral health...
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Community Environmental Indicators and LGBTQ Youth Mental Health

June 09, 2023
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released a report on the association between community-level environmental indicators and the mental health of...
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BPR Application Office Hours—Extended by Popular Demand!

June 09, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that prevent suicide. Working on an application...
Weekly Spark

BPR Application Office Hours—Extended by Popular Demand!

June 02, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that prevent suicide.
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Frailty and Suicide Risk Among Older Adult Veterans

June 02, 2023
A recent study found frailty was associated with suicide attempt risk among U.S. veterans ages 65 and older. Study participants...
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What Students Are Saying About the CDC Report on Teen Sadness

June 02, 2023
The New York Times Teens are reflecting on recent national data that show they are struggling with their mental health....
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Funding Opportunity: 988 Tribal Response

June 02, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for cooperative agreements to provide 988 crisis center...
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National Violent Death Reporting System, 2020 Data

June 02, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on violent deaths based on 2020 data from...
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Federal Awards Announced for School Mental Health

June 02, 2023
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) will award more than $95 million in funding across 35 states to increase access...
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Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health

June 02, 2023
The Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) has released an advisory on social media and youth mental health. It describes the current evidence...
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One in Four Black Transgender and Nonbinary Youth Attempted Suicide in Past Year, Survey Finds

May 19, 2023
CNN According to a study by The Trevor Project, a quarter of Black transgender and nonbinary youth reported a suicide...
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Black Adults More Likely to Seek Mental Health Treatment at EDs, Pre-pandemic Data Show

May 19, 2023
Fierce Health Care According to a recent report from the National Center for Health Statistics, Black adults were nearly twice...
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Funding Opportunity: 988 Follow-Up Programs

May 19, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for cooperative agreements for 988 Suicide & Crisis...
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Funding Opportunity: Improving Local 988 Capacity

May 19, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for cooperative agreements for states and territories to...
Weekly Spark

BPR Application Office Hours—Extended by Popular Demand!

May 19, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that prevent suicide. Working on an application...
Director's Corner
About 20 diverse colleagues pose together for a photograph; some are kneeling and some have their arms around others’ shoulders.

Inclusion Is Key to Mental Health

May 12, 2023
Celebrate mental health awareness and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities by weaving inclusivity into everything you do.
Weekly Spark

Supporting States in Building Suicide Prevention Infrastructure

May 12, 2023
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has released a new story on supporting states in building suicide prevention infrastructure...
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2023 National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People

May 12, 2023
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released the 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, which...
Weekly Spark

Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Connection

May 12, 2023
The Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) has released an advisory on the healing effects of social connection and community to...
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New Website to Find Support for Mental Health

May 12, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched a new website to help the public find support...
Weekly Spark

BPR Application Office Hours—Extended by Popular Demand!

May 12, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that prevent suicide. Working on an application...
Weekly Spark

Collaborating with Tribal Communities: Tribal and IHS Health Care Systems

May 05, 2023
Join us for part four of a six-part webinar series to help crisis centers build collaborative, sustainable relationships with tribal...
Weekly Spark

Needs Assessment for the 2024 National Strategy

May 05, 2023
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is conducting a national needs assessment to gather feedback from suicide...
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Screen Time and Suicide Risk Among Emerging Adults

May 05, 2023
In a new study, researchers examined the association between screen media use and suicide risk among adolescents over a 10-year...
Weekly Spark

Job Opportunity: SPRC Tribal Training and Product Development Manager

May 05, 2023
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is seeking an SPRC tribal training and product development manager to coordinate the development of...
Weekly Spark

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2021

May 05, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released analyses of 2021 data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance...
Weekly Spark

BPR Application Office Hours—Extended by Popular Demand!

May 05, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that prevent suicide. Working on an application...
Weekly Spark

BPR Application Office Hours—Extended by Popular Demand!

April 28, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that prevent suicide. Working on an application...
Weekly Spark

Needs Assessment for the 2024 National Strategy

April 28, 2023
Needs Assessment for the 2024 National Strategy The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is conducting a national...
Weekly Spark

How Districts Can Respond to a Student’s Suicide

April 28, 2023
Education Week Planning can help schools and districts prepare to respond appropriately to a student suicide. It is critical that...
Weekly Spark

Pentagon's Suicide Prevention Committee Recommends Age Limit and Waiting Period for On-Base Gun Purchases

April 28, 2023
CNN An independent committee set up by the Pentagon recently released a report that includes 127 recommendations for preventing suicide...
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SAMHSA Mental Health Month Awareness Toolkit

April 28, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released their Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit. It includes key...
Weekly Spark

Job Opportunity: SPRC Instructional Design Manager

April 28, 2023
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is seeking an SPRC instructional design manager to provide strategic leadership in developing, implementing, and administering...
Director's Corner

Learning From Autistic Lived Experience

April 21, 2023
By learning about autism and listening to the unique insights of those experiencing it, we can all support autistic people in living their fullest lives.
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Outreach Toolkit

April 21, 2023
Mental Health America (MHA) has released their Mental Health Month Outreach Toolkit to help individuals and organizations plan efforts to...
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Suicide Attempts Among Youth During COVID-19

April 21, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on suspected suicide attempts by self-poisoning among youth...
Weekly Spark

Apply to the New Best Practices Registry—With Our Help!

April 21, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that prevent suicide. Working on an application...
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988 Partner Toolkit Updates for Mental Health Awareness Month

April 14, 2023
To help you prepare for Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has added new...
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Teen Girls Report Record Levels of Sadness, CDC Finds

April 14, 2023
The New York Times Recent national data suggest teen girls are experiencing increased sadness, suicidal thoughts, and sexual violence. The...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Mortality in the U.S., 2001–2021

April 14, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a data brief on suicide...
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Emergency Department Visits for Suicidal Ideation, 2016–2021

April 14, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has produced a data brief on emergency...
Weekly Spark

American Association of Suicidology Annual Conference

April 14, 2023
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) annual conference will take place next week from April 19-22. The agenda includes presentations...
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Apply to the New Best Practices Registry—With Our Help!

April 14, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that prevent suicide. Working on an application...
Weekly Spark

Apply to the New Best Practices Registry—With Our Help!

April 07, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that prevent suicide. Working on an application...
Weekly Spark

Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQI+ Youth

April 07, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released Moving Beyond Change Efforts: Evidence and Action to Support...
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Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success for States

April 07, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications to fund the development and delivery of state...
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Webinar Series: Early Childhood Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention for Schools

April 07, 2023
The Pacific Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (Pacific Southwest MHTTC) is hosting a two-part webinar series on early childhood...
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Suicide Prevention Across the Life Span in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

April 07, 2023
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a funding opportunity for formative research to prevent suicide across the...
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Join Us in Launching SPRC’s New Best Practices Registry!

March 31, 2023
We’re excited to invite you to join us in launching SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR)! The same one-stop source...
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Strong Talk Podcast Episode with Shelby Rowe

March 31, 2023
The Strong Talk Podcast has released an episode with SPRC Executive Director Shelby Rowe. In the episode, Rowe discusses her...
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Funding Opportunity: Integrating Primary and Behavioral Health Care

March 31, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a funding opportunity to promote the integration of primary...
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Funding Opportunity: Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Grants

March 31, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced grant opportunities for certified community behavioral health clinic planning,...
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Funding Opportunity: American Indian and Alaska Native Behavioral Health Center

March 31, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications to fund an American Indian and Alaska Native...
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Most LGBTQ Youth Can’t Access Mental Health Care. How Schools Can Help

March 24, 2023
Education Week According to a recent report from The Trevor Project, most LGBTQ students in all but two states said...
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MICHIGAN: Blue-Collar Suicides Focus of State Prevention Effort

March 24, 2023
Bridge Michigan Michigan is taking steps to address suicide in the construction industry. In 2019, the suicide rate among the...
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Cooperative Agreements to Implement Zero Suicide

March 24, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking applications for cooperative agreements to implement Zero Suicide in...
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Emergency Department Visits by Incarcerated Adults

March 24, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on emergency department visits for nonfatal injuries, including...
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Apply to the New Best Practices Registry Today!

March 24, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that incorporate national frameworks, best practices, and...
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National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Grants

March 17, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting grant applications to implement suicide prevention and intervention programs for adults in accordance with The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
Weekly Spark

Native Connections Grants

March 17, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a funding opportunity to prevent suicide and substance misuse,...
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Suicide Risk Screening in Adult Primary Care

March 17, 2023
An expert workgroup has released recommendations on a clinical pathway (i.e., care pathway) for suicide risk screening in adult primary...
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Emergency Department Visits by Race and Ethnicity

March 17, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on emergency department visits related to mental health...
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Listening Session: National Tribal Behavioral Health Agenda

March 17, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting a tribal listening session on updating the national tribal...
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Funding Opportunity: Mental Health Infrastructure in Tribal Communities

March 17, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a funding opportunity for planning and developing infrastructure to...
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National Public Health Week

March 17, 2023
The American Public Health Association (APHA) is focusing this year’s National Public Health Week on centering and celebrating cultures in...
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Apply to the New Best Practices Registry Today!

March 17, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that incorporate national frameworks, best practices, and...
Weekly Spark

Collaborating with Tribal Communities: A Trauma-Informed Approach

March 10, 2023
Join us for part three of a six-part webinar series to help crisis centers build collaborative, sustainable relationships with tribal...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Risk Screening in Pediatric Primary Care

March 10, 2023
A recent study described the implementation of a suicide risk screening protocol in a pediatric primary care setting. The research...
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Annual Summit: Suicide Safer Care in Clinical Practice

March 10, 2023
The Wellness Institute (TWI) is hosting the third annual summit on suicide safer care in clinical practice. This year’s summit...
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EDC Job Opportunity: Action Alliance Assistant Director of Communications

March 10, 2023
Education Development Center (EDC) is seeking a full-time assistant director of communications for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health in Rural New York: Findings from a Listening Tour

March 10, 2023
NORC at the University of Chicago has released the Adolescent Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Curriculum. Designed for both...
Weekly Spark

Apply to the New Best Practices Registry Today!

March 10, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that incorporate expert consensus, best practices, and...
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2021 Tribal Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment

March 03, 2023
SPRC is excited to release our 2021 Tribal Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment. This technical report presents complete findings from the first-ever...
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Following a Two-Year Decline, Suicide Rates Rose Again in 2021

March 03, 2023
The New York Times A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that suicide rates...
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Lessons From Ecuador on Responding to the Mental Health Crisis in the U.S. and around the World

March 03, 2023
STAT According to a recent opinion piece, a pilot mental health care program in Ecuador could provide a model for...
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Independent Recommendations for Preventing Military Suicide

March 03, 2023
The Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee (SPRIRC) has released recommendations for preventing suicide in the U.S. military. The...
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Mental Health in Rural New York: Findings from a Listening Tour

March 03, 2023
NORC at the University of Chicago and the University at Albany School of Public Health have released a report on...
Weekly Spark

Apply to the New Best Practices Registry Today!

March 03, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that incorporate expert consensus, best practices, and...
Weekly Spark

I Don’t Wanna Be: Suicide Rates Are Rising among Young Black Men

February 24, 2023
The Atlanta Voice Overall suicide rates among Black people are lower than among White people in the U.S., but recent...
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Military Veterans Can Now Receive Free Emergency Mental Health Care

February 24, 2023
CNN Under a new policy from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), military veterans experiencing a suicidal crisis can now receive...
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National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey, 2021

February 24, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released 2021 data from the National Substance Use and Mental Health Services...
Weekly Spark

Apply to the New Best Practices Registry Today!

February 24, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that incorporate expert consensus, best practices, and...
Director's Corner

Black History Month: An Invitation to Cultural Humility

February 17, 2023
Learn how to foster the three elements of cultural humility and incorporate them in your work.
Weekly Spark

Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report

February 17, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report:...
Weekly Spark

Apply to the New Best Practices Registry Today!

February 17, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that incorporate expert consensus, best practices, and...
Weekly Spark

Recent Changes in Suicide Rates by Race and Ethnicity and Age Group

February 10, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a data brief on changes in suicide rates between 2018 and 2021...
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988 Mental Health Line Receives Over Two Million Calls and Texts in Six Months

February 10, 2023
PBS NewsHour In the six months after its transition to a three-digit number, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline received more than...
Weekly Spark

Addressing Behavioral Health Disparities in the Black Community

February 10, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting a roundtable on addressing behavioral health disparities in the Black community....
Weekly Spark

Strategic Framework for Addressing Youth Mental Health Disparities

February 10, 2023
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a strategic framework for addressing youth mental health disparities for fiscal years 2022...
Weekly Spark

Call for Applications: Health Disparities Research Institute

February 10, 2023
The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) is accepting applications for the Health Disparities Research Institute, which will take...
Weekly Spark

Apply to the New Best Practices Registry Today!

February 10, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that incorporate expert consensus, best practices, and...
Weekly Spark

Collaborating with Tribal Communities: Cultural Humility

February 03, 2023
Join us for part two of a six-part webinar series to help crisis centers build collaborative, sustainable relationships with tribal...
Weekly Spark

A Look at the Mental Health Stigmas Faced by Asian Americans

February 03, 2023
ebn Asian Americans may face more barriers to accessing mental health than other groups. Some of those barriers are cultural,...
Weekly Spark

Priority Research Opportunities in Crisis Response Services

February 03, 2023
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released two opportunities for career enhancement awards to advance research on firearms injury...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: A Summary of Cost-Outcome Analysis for Injury Prevention Programs

February 03, 2023
The Children’s Safety Network (CSN) is hosting a webinar to present a new fact sheet series on cost-outcome analysis for injury prevention...
Weekly Spark

Apply to the New Best Practices Registry Today!

February 03, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that incorporate expert consensus, best practices, and...
Weekly Spark

Apply to the New Best Practices Registry Today!

January 27, 2023
SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is seeking applications for programs and interventions that incorporate expert consensus, best practices, and...
Weekly Spark

How to Get More Men to Try Therapy

January 27, 2023
The New York Times Experts are working to tailor mental health supports for men. Compared to women, men are more...
Weekly Spark

Priority Research Opportunities in Crisis Response Services

January 27, 2023
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has published a notice of special interest in priority research on crisis response services. NIH is...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Behavioral Health Services for People Experiencing Homelessness

January 27, 2023
The Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and Abt Associates are holding a webinar on...
Weekly Spark

Community Programs for Youth at Risk of Psychosis

January 27, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a funding opportunity for community programs that provide outreach and intervention...
Weekly Spark

Reading First-Hand Stories May Help Reduce Suicidal Thoughts

January 20, 2023
Psychiatric Times Personal stories about managing suicidal thoughts may help others who are struggling, a recent study found. The study was designed...
Weekly Spark

Community-Led Suicide Prevention: New Tools and Examples

January 20, 2023
Education Development Center (EDC)’s Community-Led Suicide Prevention has released new materials to help you spread the word about the project, as well as stories featuring community...
Weekly Spark

Behavioral Health Services for People Experiencing Homelessness

January 20, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a guide to help behavioral health and housing providers engage with...
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Webinar: Firearms Research Funding Opportunity

January 20, 2023
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is hosting a webinar to discuss its recent funding opportunity announcement for research on community-level interventions for firearms...
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Suicide Care Insights: Stories & Tips for Your Implementation

January 13, 2023
Education Development Center (EDC) has released Suicide Care Insights: Stories & Tips for Your Implementation. This mixed media resource presents stories...
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With Homicide the Leading Cause of Maternal Mortality, New Research Shows a Link to Firearms and Intimate Partner Violence

January 13, 2023
STAT Homicide is the leading cause of death in pregnancy and just after giving birth, and suicide rates in this...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Releases 2021 NSDUH Findings

January 13, 2023
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released reports and detailed tables from the 2021 National Survey on Drug...
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HHS Awards Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Funding

January 13, 2023
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded nearly $245 million in Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funding to support...
Weekly Spark

Research on Community-Level Interventions for Firearms Violence Prevention

January 13, 2023
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a funding opportunity announcement for research on community-level interventions for firearms violence, injury, and...
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Call for Papers: Lethal Means Safety in Older Adults

January 13, 2023
The Clinical Gerontologist is accepting papers for a special section on lethal means safety in older adults, with a particular interest in lethal means safety for suicide prevention....
Weekly Spark

SPRC Highlights in 2022

January 06, 2023
SPRC 2022 Webinars Assessing Community Suicide Prevention Needs: A Workbook for State Coordinators 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Implementation Resources...
Director's Corner

A Look Back at Director’s Corners in 2022

January 06, 2023
Stepping Up and Affirming LGBTQI+ Youth Recover Together National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Following Our Compass Collaboration is Key to...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at Research Summaries in 2022

January 06, 2023
Ethical Issues in Suicide Prevention Research—Archives of Suicide Research Racial Differences in Suicide Risk among Adults in Criminal-Legal Systems—BMC Psychiatry...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at National News in 2022

January 06, 2023
Surgeon General Warns of Youth Mental Health Crisis—The New York Times What Employers Need to Know about Suicide Prevention—Harvard Business...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at State and Community News in 2022

January 06, 2023
MASSACHUSETTS: At a 988 Call Center, Volunteers Embrace a New Number while Providing Familiar Hope—STAT New Hampshire School Districts Move...
Director's Corner

Give Your Presence This Season and All Year Round

December 23, 2022
This season and all year round, reach out and share your presence. It’s the greatest present you can give those around you.
Weekly Spark

Myth that Suicides Peak during the Holidays Could Cause Harm

December 16, 2022
HealthDay Some media reports contain misinformation about holiday suicides, according to a recent analysis. Researchers looked at monthly national suicide numbers...
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INTERNATIONAL: Health Workers’ Mental Health: Addressing the Invisible Global Pandemic

December 16, 2022
STAT Experts are calling for a comprehensive approach to supporting health workers’ mental health. Around the world, health workers face...
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Evidence-Informed Interventions for the Health Care Workforce

December 16, 2022
The American Hospital Association (AHA) and Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) have released Suicide Prevention: Evidence-Informed Interventions for the Health...
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Too Few Young People Get Mental Health Follow-Up after ER Visit

December 09, 2022
HealthDay A new study highlights the need for more follow-up care after young people experience mental health crises. Researchers looked at data...
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“I Want to Help My People”: Tribal Nations in Oklahoma Focus on Mental Health Treatment

December 09, 2022
KOSU Tribal nations in eastern Oklahoma are integrating mental health supports with their criminal justice systems. For example, the Choctaw...
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African American Behavioral Health Diversity Leadership Fellows Academy

December 09, 2022
The African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (AABH CoE) is accepting applications for the AABH Diversity Leadership Fellows Academy. The six-month...
Weekly Spark

African American Brave Safe Space

December 09, 2022
The African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (AABH CoE) is hosting a Brave Safe Space for African American Behavioral...
Weekly Spark

Gun-Related Suicides and Killings Continued to Rise in 2021, CDC Reports

December 02, 2022
The New York Times Recent data suggest more efforts are needed to address firearm suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control...
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Poor Mental Health in U.S. Teens Exacerbated by Negative Experiences during Covid-19 Pandemic, Survey Finds

December 02, 2022
CNN In a recent study, most teens reported having at least one adverse childhood experience during the pandemic. Adverse childhood experiences,...
Weekly Spark

Community-Led Suicide Prevention

December 02, 2022
Education Development Center (EDC) has launched Community-Led Suicide Prevention, an online toolkit to help communities come together and reach their suicide...
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From Crisis to Care

December 02, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released From Crisis to Care: Building from 988 and Beyond for...
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Suicide Rates by Race and Ethnicity

December 02, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a report on suicide rates for...
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Leading Causes of Death by Race and Ethnicity

December 02, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has analyzed death rates for leading causes of...
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National Guidelines for Child and Youth Behavioral Health Crisis Care

November 18, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released National Guidelines for Child and Youth Behavioral Health Crisis Care. It...
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WASHINGTON: A First-in-the-Nation 988 Line for Native People Goes Live in WA

November 18, 2022
The Seattle Times Washington residents now have access to the country’s first-ever 988 crisis line for Native people. Launched last...
Director's Corner
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Collaboration Is Key to Upstream Suicide Prevention

November 18, 2022
Learn how SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry will help you incorporate upstream suicide prevention in your work.
Weekly Spark

Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Funding for Mental Health Services

November 11, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently announced more than $100 million in funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities...
Weekly Spark

Job Opportunity: SPRC Training Manager for Health and Behavioral Health Initiatives

November 11, 2022
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is seeking an SPRC training manager for health and behavioral health initiatives to coordinate and facilitate suicide...
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Job Opportunity: SPRC Contract/Grant Coordinator

November 11, 2022
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) is seeking an SPRC contract/grant coordinator to provide administrative support for suicide prevention grant...
Weekly Spark

Implementation of the 988 Number Brought More Calls and Texts to the National Suicide Prevention and Crisis Hotline This Summer—And Early Data Show Answer Rates Improved or Held Steady

November 11, 2022
KFF Newsroom In the month after its transition to a three-digit number, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline experienced a...
Weekly Spark

Americans Are Prioritizing Mental Health, with New 988 Hotline There to Help

November 11, 2022
Medical Xpress A recent public perception poll shows broad support for mental health and suicide prevention but barriers to seeking help. Carried...
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Seize the Awkward: New Public Service Announcements

November 04, 2022
The Seize the Awkward campaign has released new public service announcements that encourage Black and Hispanic/Latine young people to talk with their friends about...
Weekly Spark

CULTURE FORWARD: A Strengths and Culture-Based Tool

November 04, 2022
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (Bloomberg School) Center for Indigenous Health (CIH) recently released CULTURE FORWARD: A Strengths...
Weekly Spark

HHS Announces $3 Million to Promote Black Youth Mental Health

November 04, 2022
Healthcare Innovation Grantees in eight states are beginning a new three-year project on Black youth mental health. Funding comes from...
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What Not to Say to Someone Who Has Lost a Loved One to Suicide

November 04, 2022
HuffPost Experts offer advice for supporting a survivor of suicide loss. Listen with empathy and non-judgment; how you listen is...
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National Native American Heritage Month

November 04, 2022
November is National Native American Heritage Month—a time to honor the richness and diversity of tribal cultures and traditions and to...
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Strengthening Capacity in Suicide, Overdose, and Adverse Childhood Experiences

October 28, 2022
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has released a funding opportunity to help local health departments understand and...
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Surgeon General’s Framework for Mental Health and Well-Being

October 28, 2022
The Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) has released The U.S. Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being. The...
Weekly Spark

Tips for Disaster Responders when Responding to an Event in Indian Country

October 28, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released tips to help disaster responders understand historical trauma and resilience when...
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Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Planning Grants

October 28, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for cooperative agreements for certified community behavioral health clinic planning...
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Job Opportunity: SPRC Senior Contract/Grant Coordinator

October 28, 2022
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) is seeking an SPRC senior contract/grant coordinator to provide administrative support to SPRC leadership...
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How Colleges Are Improving Mental Health on Campus

October 28, 2022
U.S. News and World Report Throughout the pandemic, some colleges have taken a comprehensive approach to supporting student mental health....
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CDC Releases Suicide Prevention Resource for Action

October 28, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the Suicide Prevention Resource for Action (Suicide Prevention Resource)—an updated, expanded, and...
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Suicide and Known Mental Health Status among Males

October 21, 2022
In a new study, researchers examined suicide among males across the life span and its association with known mental health...
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SPRC’s New Best Practices Registry Is Now Accepting Applications!

October 21, 2022
We’re excited to announce that SPRC’s new Best Practices Registry (BPR) is now accepting applications. The latest BPR is the same one-stop...
Weekly Spark

Anxiety Screening in Children and Adolescents

October 21, 2022
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has published a recommendation statement calling for anxiety screening in children and adolescents ages 8...
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The State of Mental Health in America 2023

October 21, 2022
Mental Health America (MHA) has released The State of Mental Health in America 2023. The report presents data on mental health,...
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Adverse Childhood Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic

October 21, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on adverse childhood experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and their...
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Deadline Extended: Support for 988 Tribal Response

October 21, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for cooperative agreements to expand 988 crisis support to tribal...
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Job Opportunity: SPRC Copyeditor

October 21, 2022
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is seeking an SPRC copyeditor to provide highly detailed writing, editing, fact checking, formatting, and proofreading for digital and...
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Responsible Reporting on Suicide for Journalists

October 14, 2022
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (Bloomberg School) has launched a free online course to teach journalists how to cover...
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Suicide Risk and Access to Care Among LGBTQ College Students

October 14, 2022
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released a report on suicide risk and access to care among LGBTQ college students. It found those...
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Anxiety Screening in Adults

October 14, 2022
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has released draft recommendations proposing adults under age 65 be regularly screened for anxiety. The...
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Job Opportunity: SPRC Prevention Specialist

October 14, 2022
Education Development Center (EDC) is hiring a full-time SPRC prevention specialist to provide consultation and support for state suicide prevention efforts, among...
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New Org Aims to Improve Black Mental Health with the Help of Churches

October 14, 2022
Healthline A new effort is working to integrate mental health supports in Black faith communities. Launched in August, Soul Shop...
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NEW FROM SPRC: Zero Suicide Outcome Story

October 14, 2022
SPRC is pleased to add to our collection of Zero Suicide Outcome Stories, which highlight efforts to implement and measure the...
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CDC Releases 2021 Provisional Suicide Data

October 07, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a report of provisional national suicide...
Director's Corner

National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Following Our Compass

October 07, 2022
SPRC invites you to join us in taking action to build on the progress we have made in bringing the goals and objectives of the National Strategy to life over the past decade.
Weekly Spark

JUST RELEASED: New National Public Perception Survey Data

October 07, 2022
A new 2022 public perception national survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults helps us better understand the public’s beliefs and attitudes about...
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Suicide-Focused Assessment and Treatment: An Update for Professionals

September 30, 2022
McClean Hospital (McClean) and Stanford University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Stanford Psychiatry) are hosting a course on recent advances in...
Weekly Spark

Nearly One in Four Young Adults in U.S. Treated for Mental Health during Pandemic, CDC Survey Finds

September 30, 2022
CNN New federal data suggest the percentage of U.S. adults receiving mental health treatment rose during COVID-19. The data come from the...
Weekly Spark

More People Are Talking About Suicide. Let's Make Those Conversations Better

September 30, 2022
Newsweek A recent opinion piece offers tips on making the public conversation about suicide more effective. While suicide is being...
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2022 State and Territorial Needs Assessment: Messaging Toolkits

September 30, 2022
Want to message about SPRC’s 2022 State and Territorial Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment (SNA), but not sure how? We’re excited...
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Recommendations on Suicide Risk Screening in Adult Primary Care

September 23, 2022
A workgroup organized by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has developed recommendations for a clinical pathway to screen adults for...
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Now Available: 2021 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System Data

September 23, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2021 data set is...
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Suicide among American Indian and Alaska Native People, 2015-2020

September 23, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on suicide among American Indian and Alaska Native people in...
Weekly Spark

Adapting Evidence-Based Practices for Under-Resourced Populations

September 23, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a guide to adapting evidence-based practices for under-resourced populations. Adaptations include...
Weekly Spark

Cooperative Agreements: Support for 988 Tribal Response

September 23, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for cooperative agreements to expand 988 crisis support to tribal...
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New Hampshire School Districts Move to Ease Teacher Stress, Burnout

September 23, 2022
New Hampshire Public Radio Many educators are experiencing stress and mental health issues, with some, such as teachers of color,...
Weekly Spark

Gun Suicide City-Level Analysis

September 16, 2022
Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund (Everytown) and New York University Grossman School of Medicine (NYU) have released an analysis of firearm...
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Request for Input: Federal Evidence Agenda on LGBTQI+ Equity

September 16, 2022
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has issued a request for input from the public to help inform...
Weekly Spark

Addressing Burnout in the Behavioral Health Workforce

September 16, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has developed a new guide with evidence-based strategies for preventing and reducing burnout...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention in the Workplace

September 16, 2022
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and United Suicide Survivors International (US) have released a white paper on mental health and...
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Mental Health Treatment among U.S. Adults

September 16, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has published a data brief on mental health...
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Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for 2021

September 16, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a report on provisional life expectancy...
Weekly Spark

Sexual Orientation Hate Crime Laws and Youth Suicide Risk

September 16, 2022
State laws that aim to prevent hate crimes related to sexual orientation may help reduce suicide among high-school-aged youth, suggests...
Weekly Spark

Man Therapy: You Can't Fix Your Mental Health with Duct Tape

September 09, 2022
The Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) is hosting a presentation on promoting mental health in male-dominated industries. It will take place on...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Research in a Changing World

September 09, 2022
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has published a director’s blog post on suicide prevention research in a changing world, written by...
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Native American Behavioral Health during Disasters

September 09, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a new issue of The Dialogue, a technical assistance journal on disaster...
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Grant Opportunity: Resiliency in Communities after Stress and Trauma

September 09, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking grant applications for the Resiliency in Communities after Stress and Trauma...
Weekly Spark

Grant Opportunity: Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education

September 09, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting grant applications for Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education (Project AWARE)....
Weekly Spark

Addressing America’s Mental Health Crisis—Especially in Rural Areas—Starts by Making Care More Accessible

September 09, 2022
MedCity News A recent opinion piece argues telepsychiatry can help meet the mental health needs of rural communities. With limited access...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Resources for Schools

September 09, 2022
As students head back to school, help put suicide prevention on the agenda for the new academic year by using and...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: The Collaboration Continuum

September 02, 2022
The Pacific Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center (Pacific Southwest PTTC) is hosting a webinar on connecting across fields to prevent suicide and...
Weekly Spark

Dismantling Stigma for All: Addressing Physician and Patient Mental Health

September 02, 2022
The American Medical Association (AMA) is hosting a forum to discuss how to address physician and patient mental health and suicide risk....
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Adaptations for Delivering Mental Health Services during COVID-19

September 02, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a supplemental research bulletin on adaptations and innovations for delivering mental...
Weekly Spark

LGBTQ Students Deserve Safe Schools

September 02, 2022
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has published a blog post on the importance of creating safety in schools for LGBTQ students....
Weekly Spark

Black and Hispanic Americans Are More Likely to Be Struggling with Mental Health. Here’s what Employers and Communities Can Do

September 02, 2022
Forbes Communities and workplaces are key settings for promoting mental health equity. A recent poll found Black and Hispanic respondents...
Weekly Spark

2022 State and Territorial Needs Assessment: Call to Action

September 02, 2022
SPRC is excited to release our 2022 State and Territorial Needs Assessment: Call to Action and Summary of Priority Areas. This...
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Summary of Child Firearms Deaths

September 02, 2022
The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (NCFRP) has released a summary of child firearms deaths entered into the National Fatality...
Weekly Spark

Facebook Live: The Intersection of Suicide and Substance Use

September 02, 2022
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) are holding a Facebook Live event on the intersection...
Weekly Spark

The Mental Health and Well-Being of Multiracial LGBTQ Youth

August 19, 2022
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released a report on the mental health and well-being of multiracial LGBTQ youth. Highlighting the unique mental...
Weekly Spark

At a 988 Call Center, Volunteers Embrace a New Number while Providing Familiar Hope

August 19, 2022
STAT As the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline expands crisis services nationwide, the important work of call center staff is...
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Six Ways to Address Mental Health in the Construction Industry

August 19, 2022
For Construction Pros Employers can take key steps to prevent suicide in the construction industry, which has the second highest...
Weekly Spark

Gun Carrying among Youth

August 12, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on gun carrying among youth by demographic characteristics, violent experiences,...
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Addressing Disparities by Diversifying Behavioral Health Research

August 12, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a blog post on addressing inequities in behavioral health research. It...
Weekly Spark,

Confronting Health Worker Burnout and Well-Being

August 12, 2022
The New England Journal of Medicine In a recent opinion piece, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy discusses ways to address health...
Weekly Spark

#BeThere Twitter Chat 2022

August 12, 2022
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is hosting a Twitter chat to kick off Suicide Prevention Month in September....
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Intimate Partner Violence and Suicide: Intersections in Context and Practice

August 12, 2022
Join us for a webinar to learn about the intersection of intimate partner violence and suicide. The presentation will discuss...
Weekly Spark

Text Your Friends. It Matters More Than You Think.

August 05, 2022
The New York Times An increasing body of research suggests small moments of connection are key to well-being. In a...
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State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update

August 05, 2022
SPRC has released a new issue of its State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update. This newsletter features the latest content related to...
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Suicide Prevention Month: Ideas for Action

August 05, 2022
Looking for ways to observe Suicide Prevention Month? Check out our updated annual resource with ideas to help anyone, anywhere get involved!...
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Suicidal Thoughts among Public Health Workers

July 29, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on symptoms of mental health conditions and suicidal thoughts among...
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Many Black Children Are Dying by Suicide, Doctors Say: Understanding the Why—and How to Help

July 29, 2022
ABC News Experts are calling for a public health approach to preventing suicide among Black youth. Recent data show suicide...
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Celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act

July 29, 2022
To mark the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), join us in highlighting resources to help support...
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Suicide Prevention and Health Care Accreditation: A Panel Discussion with The Joint Commission

July 29, 2022
Join us for a live panel discussion on suicide prevention and health care accreditation, focused on meeting The Joint Commission...
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CDC Injury Control Research Center Grants

July 22, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center) is seeking applications for Injury...
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Drug Overdose Deaths Rise, Disparities Widen

July 22, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an analysis of drug overdose deaths by sociodemographic and social determinants of...
Weekly Spark

Podcast Interview: 988 Is for Everyone

July 22, 2022
In the Bubble with Andy Slavitt has released a new podcast episode with SPRC Director Shelby Rowe. In this episode, Shelby and...
Weekly Spark

988 and the Research Behind Suicide Hotlines

July 22, 2022
CUIMC News In a recent interview, suicide prevention expert Madelyn Gould shares insights on how crisis hotlines have become a...
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Executive Order on Advancing Equality for LGBTQI Youth

July 15, 2022
The White House has released an executive order on advancing equality for LGBTQI individuals calling for efforts to protect their safety and...
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Statement on Gun Violence Crisis from 60 National Organizations

July 15, 2022
Sixty national organizations recently released a statement challenging inaccurate and harmful attempts to link mental illness and gun violence....
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COVID-19 and Suicide – Why Our Messaging Matters

July 15, 2022
The HPHR Journal A recent opinion piece calls for more accurate and action-oriented messaging about the mental health impacts of...
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Care Transitions from Inpatient to Outpatient Settings: Applying Best Practices

July 15, 2022
Join us for a webinar to learn about the implementation of best practices in care transitions from inpatient psychiatric to...
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Implementation Resources

July 15, 2022
SPRC is pleased to launch a selection of resources that can help state, tribal, and territorial organizations and their partners implement the...
Weekly Spark

Healing during Challenging Times: Reconnect to Your Why

July 08, 2022
The Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (Mountain Plains MHTTC) is hosting a five-week course on coping with difficulty for health...
Weekly Spark

Adapting a Zero Suicide Approach to Native Communities

July 08, 2022
WebMD Health News Native communities are taking an innovative approach to preventing suicide that combines scientific and traditional practices. With...
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988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

July 08, 2022
July 16 marks our country’s transition to 988 as the easy-to-remember number to reach the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline...
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BIPOC Mental Health Month

July 08, 2022
July is dedicated to spreading awareness about the mental health needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). BIPOC...
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SAMHSA Blog Posts on Mass Violence and PTSD

July 01, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recently published blog posts on addressing trauma and mass violence and Posttraumatic Stress...
Weekly Spark

Job Opportunity: Zero Suicide Institute Senior Project Associate

July 01, 2022
Education Development Center (EDC) is seeking a full-time senior project associate for the Zero Suicide Institute. The associate will deliver trainings and consultation...
Weekly Spark

Student Surveys and the Health of LGBTQ+ Youth

July 01, 2022
Education Development Center (EDC) has published a new blog post on student surveys and the health of LGBTQ+ youth. The piece lays...
Weekly Spark

Evaluation of the REACH-VET Program

July 01, 2022
An evaluation found the Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health-Veterans Enhanced Treatment (REACH VET) program was associated with increased treatment...
Weekly Spark

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicidal Behavior

July 01, 2022
Join us for a webinar to explore cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for patients with suicidal behavior. The presentation will describe...
Director's Corner

Recover Together

June 24, 2022
At SPRC, we believe in the power of words to help effect positive change, in people and the world around...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Job Openings: Public Health Advisor

June 24, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has vacancies for full-time public health advisors to provide program consultation, guidance, and...
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The Impact of Injury Control Research Centers

June 17, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center) has released a...
Weekly Spark

Preventing Suicide in Schools—A Systemwide Approach

June 17, 2022
Education Development Center (EDC) has published a new blog post, “Preventing Suicide in Schools—A Systemwide Approach.” In the piece, SPRC subject...
Weekly Spark

HHS Reaffirms Support for LGBTQI+ Youth

June 17, 2022
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra has released a statement reaffirming HHS support and protection for LGBTQI+...
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Unemployment, Behavioral Health, and Suicide

June 17, 2022
Health Affairs A recent health policy brief calls for increased efforts to understand and address the links between unemployment and...
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Shelby Rowe Named New SPRC Director

June 17, 2022
Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce that Shelby Rowe has accepted the position of SPRC director. A leader in...
Weekly Spark

The Rise of Firearm Suicide among Young Americans

June 10, 2022
Everytown Research & Policy has released The Rise of Firearm Suicide among Young Americans. The report discusses the impact of pandemic-related school...
Weekly Spark

LGBTQ Suicide Awareness for Families

June 10, 2022
The Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (Northwest MHTTC) is hosting a webinar series that will explore LGBTQ youth suicide prevention from the...
Weekly Spark

LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Town Hall

June 10, 2022
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) Regions 2, 6, and 9 are...
Weekly Spark

Treatment-Seeking and Suicidality by Suicide Method

June 10, 2022
A recent study looked at treatment-seeking and suicidality among people who died by firearm suicide compared to those who died...
Weekly Spark

Cooperative Agreements for Innovative Community Crisis Response Partnerships

June 10, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a funding opportunity to create or enhance innovative community crisis response...
Weekly Spark

Ensuring Child Safety During Times of Disruption

June 10, 2022
The Children's Safety Network (CSN) and Children's Safety Now Alliance (CSN-A) have released Ensuring Child Safety During Times of Disruption. This...
Weekly Spark

Updated Rural Suicide Prevention Toolkit

June 03, 2022
The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) has recently updated their Rural Suicide Prevention Toolkit. The toolkit contains evidence-based and promising resources...
Weekly Spark

Center of Excellence on Social Media and Mental Well-Being

June 03, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for  a cooperative agreement to establish a center of excellence...
Weekly Spark

Recovery Innovation Challenge

June 03, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched the Recovery Innovation Challenge, which will award funding to peer-run...
Weekly Spark

CDC Job Opportunities: Health Scientists

June 03, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking applications for two health scientist positions on its suicide prevention...
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“A Cry for Help”: CDC Warns of a Steep Decline in Teen Mental Health

June 03, 2022
The Washington Post Recent federal data show teens have struggled during the pandemic, with some groups impacted more than others. The data...
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School Mental Health Program Eases Transition from Hospital to Classroom

June 03, 2022
New England Public Media A program is helping kids readjust to school after mental health-related absences. Bridge for Resilient Youth...
Weekly Spark

Addressing Health Worker Burnout: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory

June 03, 2022
The Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) has released Addressing Health Worker Burnout: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Building a...
Weekly Spark

Supporting Tribal Youth at Risk for Suicide: Honoring Children, Mending the Circle

June 03, 2022
Join SPRC Senior Advisor Dolores Subia BigFoot for a webinar on supporting tribal youth at risk for suicide. Dr. BigFoot...
Weekly Spark Announcement

Joint Statement from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention about New Federal Report on Use of Indian Boarding Schools

May 20, 2022
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland recently released volume 1 of the Federal Indian...
Weekly Spark

Joint Statement on Federal Indian Boarding School Report

May 20, 2022
SPRC and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) acknowledge and honor the reactions—such as feelings of grief,...
Weekly Spark

National Conference on American Indian/Alaska Native Injury and Violence Prevention

May 13, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Indian Health Service (IHS) are hosting the second National Conference on American...
Weekly Spark

2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health

May 13, 2022
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released its 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, which captures the experiences of nearly...
Weekly Spark

Despite Pandemic-Era Drop, Suicide Threat Remains

May 13, 2022
U.S. News and World Report Although suicide rates fell in the first year of the pandemic, comprehensive prevention efforts are...
Weekly Spark

Assessing Community Suicide Prevention Needs: A Workbook for State Coordinators

May 13, 2022
SPRC is pleased to release Assessing Community Suicide Prevention Needs: A Workbook for State Coordinators. This workbook can help state coordinators...
Weekly Spark

Racial Differences in Suicide Risk among Adults in Criminal-Legal Systems

May 06, 2022
Research shows that adults in the criminal-legal system have higher rates of suicide and behavioral health disorders than the general...
Weekly Spark

National Weekend of Prayer for Faith, Hope, & Life

May 06, 2022
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) Faith Communities Task Force is hosting a National Weekend of Prayer for Faith,...
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Suicide Prevention in Native Populations: A Cultural Introduction

May 06, 2022
Join SPRC Director Shelby Rowe for a webinar on preventing suicide in tribal populations. The presentation will provide tips for...
Weekly Spark

HHS Awards Funding to Strengthen Crisis Call Center Services

April 29, 2022
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has awarded nearly $105...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA National Prevention Week

April 29, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is holding its National Prevention Week from May 8 to 14 to increase...
Weekly Spark

CDC Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey

April 29, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released the Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey—United States, January–June 2021. This one-time...
Director's Corner

Child Abuse Prevention Is Suicide Prevention

April 29, 2022
As pandemic disruptions stretch into a third year, creating supportive environments for children and families can help reduce the risk...
Weekly Spark

Construction Working Minds Summit

April 22, 2022
The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), United Suicide Survivors International (US), and the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson...
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Laboratories for Digital Mental Health

April 22, 2022
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has announced a funding opportunity for research to optimize digital health interventions that impact mental health...
Weekly Spark

Research on Suicide among Black Youth

April 22, 2022
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released funding opportunity announcements for research project and exploratory research grants to understand suicide risk and...
Weekly Spark

Expansion of Comprehensive Suicide Prevention

April 22, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking applications for cooperative agreements to expand comprehensive suicide prevention across the U.S....
Weekly Spark

Suicide Is Rising among Younger Students. Here’s How Schools Can Prevent Tragedy

April 22, 2022
EducationWeek While most suicide prevention programs in schools are focused on teens, suicide rates have been rising among younger students....
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Jargon May Have Turned Parents against Social and Emotional Learning

April 22, 2022
The Hechinger Report In recent months, some parents have expressed objections to social and emotional learning (SEL) in schools. According...
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Demand for College Peer Counselors Is Booming. But Training Only Goes So Far

April 22, 2022
NPR During the pandemic, some college students are leaning on each other for support. A recent national survey found nearly half of...
Weekly Spark

Two-Page Snapshots of Priority Areas

April 22, 2022
SPRC is excited to release two-page snapshots of priority areas for strengthening suicide prevention infrastructure in the U.S. These summaries...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Funding Opportunities: COVID-19 Mental Health Research

April 08, 2022
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released two funding opportunity announcements for COVID-19 mental health research with a...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Data Science Approaches to Assessing Suicide Risk

April 08, 2022
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) Forum on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders is hosting a public...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Funding Opportunities: Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics

April 08, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced funding opportunities for planning, development, and implementation and improvement and advancement of certified...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA 988 Webpages

April 08, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched new webpages dedicated to providing information and resources related to the...
Weekly Spark

What Employers Need to Know About Suicide Prevention

April 08, 2022
Harvard Business Review With the proper information and tools, employers can take key steps to prevent suicide among their employees....
Weekly Spark

Action Alliance Releases 988 Messaging Framework

April 08, 2022
To help prepare the field for the July 2022 transition to 988 as the nation’s three-digit dialing, texting, and chat code for anyone...
Weekly Spark

State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update

April 08, 2022
SPRC has just released a new issue of its State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update. This newsletter features the latest content related...
Weekly Spark

2020 Suicide Death Data

March 25, 2022
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) is now offering data sheets and visualizations for 2020 suicide death data on their suicide...
Director's Corner

Stepping Up and Affirming LGBTQI+ Youth

March 25, 2022
At the beginning of March, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra released a statement reaffirming HHS support and protection for...
Weekly Spark,

AAS Conference Agenda

March 18, 2022
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) annual conference agenda is now available online. The conference will take place from April 27...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunities: Research on Community Interventions for Firearms Violence

March 18, 2022
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has published new funding opportunity announcements for research and a research-supporting coordinating center focused on community-level interventions for...
Weekly Spark

HHS Announces Funding for Youth Mental Health

March 18, 2022
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Office...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: SAMHSA 988 Partner Readiness

March 18, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting a webinar to help ready its partners for the transition of...
Weekly Spark

Outreach Programs vs. Usual Care for Self-Harm Prevention

March 18, 2022
In a recent clinical trial conducted in four U.S. health systems, researchers compared the effectiveness of two low-intensity outreach programs...
Weekly Spark

Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention

March 11, 2022
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), in collaboration with experts from the National...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Mortality in the U.S., 2000–2020

March 11, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a data brief on suicide mortality...
Weekly Spark

Changes in Suicide Rates in the U.S., 2019 and 2020

March 11, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on changes in suicide rates between 2019 and 2020 by...
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Survey of Americans Who Attempted Suicide Finds Many Aren’t Getting Care

March 11, 2022
The New York Times Suicide attempt rates increased nationally from 2008 to 2019, according to a recent study. However, the proportion...
Weekly Spark

Ethical Issues in Suicide Prevention Research

March 11, 2022
A new consensus study summarizes key ethical considerations in suicide prevention research from multiple expert perspectives. According to the study...
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Zero Suicide Workforce Survey: Indigenous Version

March 11, 2022
Education Development Center (EDC) has released a new version of the Zero Suicide Workforce Survey for systems that serve Indigenous communities. It...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grants

March 11, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program....
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention Funding

March 11, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting a webinar for prospective applicants of the Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide...
Weekly Spark

America’s School Mental Health Report Card

February 25, 2022
Inseparable’s Hopeful Futures Campaign has released America’s School Mental Health Report Card examining state policies that support school mental health. The document reports on...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: CARE Best Practices for School Mental Health

February 25, 2022
The Central East Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (Central East MHTTC) and National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH) are...
Weekly Spark

Action Alliance Webinar: Aligning the Field around a 988 Messaging Framework

February 25, 2022
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is hosting a livestreamed webinar that will present a framework for messaging about...
Weekly Spark

OU Job Opening: SPRC Best Practices Registry Program Review Manager

February 25, 2022
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is seeking an SPRC best practices registry program review manager responsible for managing program review for an...
Weekly Spark

When a Friend Dies by Suicide: Preventing Suicide Contagion

February 18, 2022
Answers After a student dies by suicide, parents and school staff can take important steps to reduce suicide risk among...
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What We Misunderstand About Suicide among Black Americans

February 18, 2022
TIME There is a common misconception that Black Americans are less affected by suicide than their White peers. In reality,...
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Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program

February 18, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for cooperative agreements for the Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth...
Weekly Spark

Priority Research Opportunities in Crisis Response Services

February 18, 2022
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has published a new notice of special interest identifying priority research opportunities in crisis response services....
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Recording Available: Advancing Suicide Prevention Training in Clinical Care

February 18, 2022
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released recordings and transcripts of its recent virtual workshop to assess the state of...
Weekly Spark

CDC Accepting Comments on Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids

February 18, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is accepting comments on proposed updates to the clinical practice guideline for prescribing opioids...
Weekly Spark

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Waiver

February 11, 2022
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has issued a temporary waiver to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program rules so borrowers can...
Weekly Spark

NIDA Study on Intentional Drug Overdose Deaths

February 11, 2022
Researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have published a study that found intentional drug overdose deaths have recently declined...
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Acceptance Significantly Reduces Suicide Risk for Intersex Youths, Report Finds

February 11, 2022
NBC News Research from The Trevor Project found LGBTQ intersex youth are at increased risk for suicide, but feeling accepted by...
Weekly Spark

NOW AVAILABLE: SPRC 2021 Webinar Recordings

February 11, 2022
SPRC 2021 webinars are now available on our website—for free! Watch the webinar presentations and download the slides to learn about preventing...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunities: Social Disconnection and Suicide Risk in Late Life

February 04, 2022
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and National Institute on Aging (NIA) have released companion funding announcements for a research...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunities: NIH HEAL Initiative

February 04, 2022
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released companion funding announcements for research to optimize existing and develop and optimize untested multi-component service delivery...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection

February 04, 2022
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Education Development Center (EDC) are hosting a two-part webinar series on...
Weekly Spark

EDC Job Opportunity: Action Alliance Executive Committee Director

February 04, 2022
Education Development Center (EDC) is seeking a full-time director of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) Executive Committee. This...
Weekly Spark

Association of the Song “1-800-273-8255” with Lifeline Calls and Suicides

February 04, 2022
In April 2017, hip-hop artist Logic released “1-800-273-8255,” a song featuring the phone number and services of the National Suicide...
Weekly Spark

Sample MOU for Inpatient and Outpatient Behavioral Health Care Providers

February 04, 2022
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has released a sample memorandum of understanding (MOU) for inpatient and outpatient behavioral...
Weekly Spark

New Training Website on ACEs, Overdose, and Suicide

January 21, 2022
The American Public Health Association (APHA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have launched a training website on addressing the...
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Firearm Homicides and Suicides in Major Metropolitan Areas

January 21, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has analyzed data on firearm homicides and suicides in major U.S. metropolitan areas from...
Weekly Spark

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors among U.S. Adults, 2015–2019

January 21, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on suicidal thoughts and behaviors among U.S. adults ages 18...
Weekly Spark

FBI Launches Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection

January 21, 2022
Spooner Advocate On January 1, the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection (LESDC) Act went into effect. Signed into federal law...
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Surgeon General Warns of Youth Mental Health Crisis

January 21, 2022
The New York Times The U.S. surgeon general has released a report calling for urgent efforts to address youth mental health. According...
Weekly Spark

CDC Releases Final 2020 Mortality Data

January 21, 2022
At the end of December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released final national mortality data for 2020. The data...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Invests in 988 Transition

January 21, 2022
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced that it will invest $282 million to transition the National Suicide...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at State and Community News in 2021

January 07, 2022
PENNSYLVANIA: Free Therapy Program for Black Men Ramps Up Amid Pandemic-Era Stressors—WHYY NEW YORK: How a Hospital and a School...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at National News in 2021

January 07, 2022
Amid COVID and Racial Unrest, Black Churches Put Faith in Mental Health Care—Kaiser Health News  Will the Pandemic Result in...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at Research Summaries in 2021

January 07, 2022
Association between Food Insecurity and Suicide Risk—Journal of Affective Disorders  Suicide Risk among People with Autism Spectrum Disorder—JAMA Network Open ...
Director's Corner

A Look Back at Director’s Corners in 2021

January 07, 2022
Child Abuse Prevention is Suicide Prevention  The Power of Listening  How to Be There  The Healing Power of Representation  End-of-Year...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Highlights in 2021

January 07, 2022
SPRC 2021 Webinars  New Hampshire’s State Plan Implementation Approach  CDC Report Highlights SPRC’s Recommendations for State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure  Suicide and...
Director's Corner

2021 End-of-Year Reflection

December 22, 2021
Friends, It is a wondrous fact that we are made of star material. I reflect on this and share it...
Weekly Spark

LGBTQ Family Acceptance

December 17, 2021
The Institute for Innovation & Implementation (The Institute) and Family Acceptance Project (FAP) have launched a new online resource to help LGBTQ...
Weekly Spark

The Mental Health of LGBTQ Youth Who Are Intersex

December 17, 2021
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released a new report on the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ youth who are intersex that...
Weekly Spark

Firearms Safety Infographics

December 17, 2021
The Children’s Safety Network (CSN) and Children’s Safety Now Alliance (CSNA) have developed firearms safety infographics focused on preventing death by homicide...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Rates Declined Again in 2020, but Not for All Groups, CDC Report Shows

December 17, 2021
NBC News According to preliminary federal data released in November, suicide rates in the overall population declined in 2020 for...
Weekly Spark

Optimizing Suicide Research

December 17, 2021
A recent article reviews challenges in suicide research and proposes ways to address them. The authors discuss multiple sources of...
Weekly Spark

Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory

December 17, 2021
The Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) has released Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory. The report calls...
Weekly Spark

Outpatient Care Transitions Self-Assessment and Action Planning

December 17, 2021
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has designed a self-assessment and action planning template to help outpatient behavioral health care systems...
Weekly Spark

2021 State and Territorial Needs Assessment: Call to Action

December 17, 2021
SPRC is excited to release our 2021 State and Territorial Needs Assessment: Call to Action and Summary of Priority Areas. This...
Director's Corner

The Healing Power of Representation

November 19, 2021
The Healing Power of Representation In mainstream media, American Indians and Alaska Natives are often portrayed as relics of the...
Weekly Spark

Culturally Relevant Approaches to Preventing Suicide among Native Youth

November 19, 2021
The Children’s Safety Network (CSN) is hosting a webinar on culturally relevant approaches to preventing suicide among American Indian and Alaska Native...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Safer Suicide Care in 2022

November 12, 2021
Zero Suicide Institute (ZSI) and Jaspr Health are hosting a webinar on safer suicide care in 2022. It will discuss ways health care leaders...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Advancing Behavioral Health Equity

November 12, 2021
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Office of Minority Health (OMH) are hosting a webinar on advancing behavioral...
Weekly Spark

EDC Job Opportunity: Project Associate

November 12, 2021
Education Development Center (EDC) is hiring a full-time project associate to support SPRC and other EDC suicide prevention projects. The position will...
Weekly Spark

Online Risk Factors and Youth Suicide

November 12, 2021
A recent study found an association between online risk factors and suicidal behavior among youth. According to the authors, this...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Preventing Suicide in People with Opioid Use Disorder

November 12, 2021
SPRC is leading a webinar on preventing suicide in people with opioid use disorder. The presentation will review the complex...
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CDC Releases 2020 Provisional Suicide Data

November 12, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a report of provisional national suicide...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Releases 2020 NSDUH Findings

November 12, 2021
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released reports and detailed tables from the 2020 National Survey on Drug...
Weekly Spark

The State of Mental Health in America 2022

October 29, 2021
Mental Health America (MHA) has released The State of Mental Health in America 2022. The report presents data on mental health,...
Weekly Spark

Talking about Suicide with Friends and Peers

October 29, 2021
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has released a resource to help youth talk about suicide with friends and...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Funding Opportunity: Interpersonal Strategies for Suicide Prevention

October 29, 2021
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a funding opportunity announcement to evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of enhanced interpersonal focused...
Weekly Spark

EDC Job Opportunity: Research Assistant

October 29, 2021
Education Development Center (EDC) is hiring a full-time research assistant to support the SPRC State and Community Initiatives Team. The position will...
Weekly Spark

“We Are in a State of Emergency”: What's Behind the Rising Suicide Rate among Black Kids

October 29, 2021
WHYY Experts are calling for increased efforts to understand and address rising suicide rates among Black youth. According to principal investigator Arielle...
Weekly Spark

Children’s Mental Health

October 29, 2021
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), and the Children’s Hospital Association...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Funding Opportunity: Research on Suicide Prevention in Primary Care

October 15, 2021
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a funding opportunity announcement for research on suicide prevention in primary care practices....
Weekly Spark

Prevention and Treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and Suicide among College Students

October 15, 2021
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released an evidence-based resource guide on preventing and treating anxiety, depression, and...
Weekly Spark

Creating a Shared Approach to Suicide and Overdose Prevention

October 15, 2021
Education Development Center (EDC) and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) have released an infographic to assist states and...
Weekly Spark

OKLAHOMA: Oklahoma Suicides Climb to Highest Point since 2006

October 15, 2021
Oklahoma Watch Recent data show the number of suicide deaths in Oklahoma increased last year. The number in 2020 was...
Weekly Spark

Systematic Review of Suicide Prevention Strategies

October 15, 2021
Researchers performed a systematic review of studies published around the world between September 2005 and December 2019 to identify evidence-based,...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Awards Grants to Strengthen Community Mental Health

October 01, 2021
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $825 million in grant funding to community mental health centers to...
Weekly Spark

Stories of Effective Suicide Prevention in Rural Communities

October 01, 2021
Education Development Center (EDC) has published a new blog post, “Stories of Effective Suicide Prevention in Rural Communities.” It describes...
Weekly Spark

The “Double Closet:” Why Some Bisexual People Struggle with Mental Health

October 01, 2021
The New York Times Bisexual people may experience more mental health challenges than their peers. A 2017 meta-analysis found bisexual participants had...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Mortality in the U.S., 1999–2019

October 01, 2021
A study looked at trends in suicide mortality from 1999 to 2019, using data from the National Vital Statistics System...
Director's Corner

How to Be There

September 17, 2021
In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, we asked members of SPRC’s Lived Experience Advisory Committee about their experiences with the power of human connection....
Weekly Spark

A Life Promotion Toolkit by Indigenous Youth

September 10, 2021
The Thunderbird Partnership Foundation has released Strengthening Our Connections to Promote Life: A Life Promotion Toolkit by Indigenous Youth. The toolkit is a...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Maximizing Therapeutic Alliance

September 10, 2021
The Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (Northwest MHTTC) is hosting a webinar on maximizing therapeutic alliance in suicide risk assessment, management, and treatment....
Weekly Spark

National Latino Behavioral Health Virtual Conference

September 10, 2021
The National Hispanic and Latino Addiction, Prevention, and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers are hosting the National Latino Behavioral Health Virtual Conference. The event will...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Awards Grants to Strengthen Youth Mental Health

September 10, 2021
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $74.2 million in grant funding to strengthen youth mental health....
Weekly Spark

For Some U.S. Muslims, Raw Talk on Suicide, Mental Health

September 10, 2021
AP News Mental health experts and faith leaders are working together to prevent suicide in Muslim communities. According to Rania...
Weekly Spark

Changes in Suicide Rates, 2018–2019

September 10, 2021
A study found the overall suicide rate in the U.S. declined for the first time in more than a decade....
Weekly Spark

New Resource: Mental Health Media Guide

September 10, 2021
A coalition of mental health experts and entertainment industry leaders recently released the Mental Health Media Guide, a resource to help content creators...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Month: Ideas for Action

September 10, 2021
This September, take action to prevent suicide in your community. Learn about the history of suicide prevention in the U.S., share the steps for helping those...
Weekly Spark

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

September 03, 2021
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention is accepting applications for a postdoctoral research fellow. The fellowship...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Recommendations Based on Child Death Review

September 03, 2021
The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (National CFRP) has released Suicide Prevention Recommendations Based on Child Death Review, which explores...
Weekly Spark

The Clinician’s Suicide Prevention Summit

September 03, 2021
PESI, Inc., is hosting The Clinician’s Suicide Prevention Summit, which will focus on treatment strategies to inspire hope and save lives....
Weekly Spark

AFSP Facebook Live Event

September 03, 2021
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is hosting a Facebook Live event in honor of World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day on...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Awards Emergency Response for Suicide Prevention Grants

September 03, 2021
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $17.8 million in grant funding to help communities prevent suicide during...
Weekly Spark

CONNECTICUT: Meet Gizmo, the Therapy Dog behind a New, National Mental Health Curriculum for Kids

September 03, 2021
TODAY An upstream suicide prevention curriculum is expanding across Connecticut schools. Featuring a therapy dog named Gizmo, the curriculum teaches elementary...
Weekly Spark

Supporting Mental Well-Being for Students of Color

September 03, 2021
Inside Higher Ed News Results of a pilot program show how campuses can support the mental health of students of...
Weekly Spark

Why a Focus on Mental Health Is Essential for Students Returning to School in the Fall, Experts Say

September 03, 2021
ABC News School districts across the country are increasing support for student mental health this fall. To help students cope...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Resources for Schools

September 03, 2021
As students head back to school, help put suicide prevention on the agenda for the new academic year by using and...
Weekly Spark

#BeThere Twitter Chat

August 06, 2021
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is hosting a Twitter chat to kick off Suicide Prevention Month. The chat...
Weekly Spark

Decolonizing Mental Health

August 06, 2021
PBS has released Decolonizing Mental Health, a digital series that aims to dismantle racism in mental health care and redress the ways...
Weekly Spark

Lived Experience Leadership and Peer Support Services

August 06, 2021
SPRC is leading a webinar on lived experience leadership and peer support services. Presenters will discuss how system-wide integration of...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Month: Ideas for Action

August 06, 2021
Looking for ways to observe Suicide Prevention Month? This two-page resource offers information to help anyone, anywhere get involved. In September, we...
Director's Corner

We Wish to Call You by Your Name

August 06, 2021
Stories about missing children have been told by families for generations. If you are not familiar with the federal government’s...
Weekly Spark

Effective Suicide Prevention for Rural Communities

July 23, 2021
Education Development Center (EDC) has published the article, “Effective Suicide Prevention for Rural Communities.” It describes how SPRC’s Effective Suicide Prevention...
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: How a Hospital and a School District Teamed Up to Help Kids in Emotional Crisis

July 23, 2021
NPR A school-hospital partnership in Long Island may be a model for connecting kids with mental health care. In response...
Weekly Spark

Sharp Uptick Seen in Suspected Suicide Attempts among Teenage Girls: CDC

July 23, 2021
ABC News According to a recent analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suspected suicide attempts increased among teen girls...
Weekly Spark

Building a New Model for Suicide Prevention

July 16, 2021
Education Development Center (EDC) has published the article “Building a New Model for Suicide Prevention” highlighting the Colorado National Collaborative,...
Director's Corner

A Call for Collaboration: Community-Based Participatory Research

July 16, 2021
Learn how integrating lived experience in evidence-based practices can profoundly increase their impact.
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Awards Suicide Prevention Funding to 33 Colleges

July 16, 2021
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $3.3 million in suicide prevention funding to 33 colleges and universities. The...
Weekly Spark

WHO Releases Latest Suicide Data and Prevention Guide

July 16, 2021
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released Suicide Worldwide in 2019: Global Health Estimates with the latest global data on suicide, and LIVE...
Weekly Spark

AMA Adopts Policy to Address Youth Suicide

July 16, 2021
The American Medical Association (AMA) has adopted a policy to address increased youth suicide. The adopted policy outlines risk and protective factors...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Among Parents and Unpaid Caregivers during COVID-19

July 16, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on mental health among parents of children and unpaid caregivers...
Weekly Spark

Global Suicide Trends during the COVID-19 Pandemic

July 03, 2021
Data from previous epidemics suggest suicide rates may initially appear to decrease during epidemics but may increase thereafter. Based on...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Fact Sheet: Means of Suicide

June 25, 2021
The Children’s Safety Now Alliance (CSNA) has released a fact sheet on means of suicide, developed to help guide prevention efforts to...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Meeting the Mental Health Needs of the Unemployed

June 25, 2021
The American Psychological Association (APA) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) have posted an archive of a two-part webinar series on...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Notice of Special Interest: Research on Mental Health and Unemployment

June 25, 2021
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have released a Notice of Special Interest for...
Weekly Spark

Promoting Mental Well-Being in a Post-Pandemic World

June 25, 2021
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has published the blog post “Promoting Mental Well-Being in a Post-Pandemic...
Weekly Spark

News App for Suicide Reporting

June 25, 2021
Cisco and Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) have launched the News App for Suicide Reporting, an online tool to help journalists...
Weekly Spark

PENNSYLVANIA: Free Therapy Program for Black Men Ramps Up Amid Pandemic-Era Stressors

June 25, 2021
WHYY A Philadelphia nonprofit is providing free therapy to Black men. Initially a campaign to reduce mental health stigma, the...
Weekly Spark

Emergency Department Visits for Suicide Attempts during COVID-19

June 25, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts among youth...
Weekly Spark

Adolescent Suicide Prevention and Medical Settings

June 25, 2021
SPRC is leading a webinar on preventing adolescent suicide in medical settings. Presenters will discuss effective suicide prevention practices for...
Director's Corner

The Power of Listening

June 25, 2021
In honor of Pride Month, we had the pleasure of speaking with Sam Brinton about LGBTQ youth mental health and...
Weekly Spark

EDC Job Opening: Director of State and Community Initiatives

May 28, 2021
EDC is hiring a full-time director of state and community initiatives to lead our SPRC’s work building state and local suicide prevention...
Weekly Spark

EDC Job Opening: Action Alliance Secretariat

May 28, 2021
EDC is hiring a full-time Action Alliance Secretariat director to lead the team providing operational support for the National Action Alliance for...
Weekly Spark

OU Job Opening: Postdoctoral Research Fellow

May 28, 2021
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is accepting applications for a postdoctoral research fellowship in suicide prevention, simulation, and community-engaged interprofessional evaluation. The...
Weekly Spark

OU Job Opening: Best Practice Registry Coordinator

May 28, 2021
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is seeking an SPRC best practice registry coordinator responsible for establishing, updating, and maintaining an online directory...
Weekly Spark

Stronger Together: Six Strategies to Enhance Your State’s Suicide Prevention Infrastructure

May 28, 2021
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has published the blog post “Stronger Together: Six Strategies to Enhance...
Weekly Spark

Joint Commission Podcast Series

May 28, 2021
Education Development Center (EDC) has launched a Joint Commission Podcast Series focused on The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goal for Suicide Prevention....
Director's Corner

Restoring Connections and Transitioning toward Hope

May 28, 2021
As social beings who anchor our sense of self through our relationships and measure our life’s journey by the changes...
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Serious Mental Illness

May 28, 2021
SPRC and SMI Advisor have collaborated on the new guide, Suicide and Serious Mental Illness: An Overview of Considerations, Assessment, and Safety Planning....
Weekly Spark

NIMH Funding: Systems-Level Risk Detection in Youth from Underserved Populations

May 21, 2021
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released funding opportunity announcements for companion planning and research project grants to study systems-level risk detection...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Funding: Systems-Level Risk Detection in Black Children and Adolescents

May 21, 2021
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released funding opportunity announcements for companion planning and research project grants to study systems-level risk detection...
Weekly Spark

CDC Injury Center Job Opportunity

May 21, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center) has an opening...
Weekly Spark

EDC Job Opportunities

May 21, 2021
Education Development Center (EDC) is seeking a Zero Suicide Institute multimedia specialist and an SPRC senior prevention specialist, located in Waltham, Mass., Washington,...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Month Toolkits

May 21, 2021
Mental Health America (MHA) has released Mental Health Month Toolkits in English and Spanish....
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Media Guide

May 21, 2021
A coalition of mental health experts and entertainment industry leaders have released the Mental Health Media Guide, a resource to help...
Weekly Spark

Global Suicide Rates Did Not Increase at the Beginning of the Pandemic, Study Finds

May 21, 2021
NBC News New research suggests global suicide rates did not rise at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers looked at data...
Weekly Spark

Trends in Emergency Department Visits during COVID-19

May 21, 2021
A recent study examined changes in U.S. emergency department (ED) visits for disaster-related mental health conditions, suicide attempts, overdoses, and...
Weekly Spark

Planning for Care Transitions: Using Best Practices to Improve Care for Individuals with Suicide Risk

May 21, 2021
The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) is hosting a webinar on the role of safe care transitions in...
Weekly Spark

Supporting a Public Health Approach to Suicide Prevention: Recommendations for State Infrastructure

May 21, 2021
Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior has published “Supporting a Public Health Approach to Suicide Prevention: Recommendations for State Infrastructure.” In this commentary,...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Safer Care: Suicide Prevention in Primary Care

April 30, 2021
SPRC is leading a webinar on preventing suicide in primary care settings. The event is designed to train frontline clinicians...
Director's Corner

Building a Suicide Prevention Infrastructure

April 30, 2021
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show the national suicide rate decreased 2.1% between 2018...
Weekly Spark

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Stress, Mental Health Conditions, and Substance Use

April 23, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on racial and ethnic disparities in the prevalence of stress...
Weekly Spark

Updated Lethal Means Safety Website

April 23, 2021
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention has launched an updated website on lethal means safety. It provides...
Weekly Spark

Child Death Scene Investigation Learning Series

April 23, 2021
The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (NCFRP) has launched a Child Death Scene Investigation Learning Series. It contains 10 modules...
Weekly Spark

Research Brief: Evidence on COVID-19 Suicide Risk and LBGTQ Youth

April 23, 2021
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has published a research brief that gives an overview of existing data on suicide risk during the COVID-19...
Weekly Spark

Zero Suicide Institute of Australasia Video Series

April 23, 2021
The Zero Suicide Institute of Australasia (ZSIA) has developed a video series that describes each of the seven elements of the Zero...
Weekly Spark

Death Rates from Motor Vehicle Traffic Injury, Homicide, and Suicide

April 23, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a QuickStats on death rates from motor vehicle traffic injury, homicide, and...
Weekly Spark

Study Gauges Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on University Students

April 23, 2021
EurekAlert! New research suggests university students need extra mental health support during COVID-19. Researchers surveyed just over 2,500 students from...
Weekly Spark

Partly Hidden by Isolation, Many of the Nation’s Schoolchildren Struggle with Mental Health

April 23, 2021
The Washington Post School communities are working to meet students’ increased mental health needs during the pandemic. For example, New...
Weekly Spark

New Research Finds Growth in Suicidal Thoughts and Self-Harm during and after Pregnancy

April 23, 2021
USA Today A recent study found an increase in suicidal thoughts and self-harm during and after pregnancy. The study used data from...
Weekly Spark

Will the Pandemic Result in More Suicides?

April 23, 2021
The New York Times Magazine According to experts, it is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic will affect the nation’s suicide...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Risk among People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

April 23, 2021
A recent national retrospective study from Denmark found individuals with a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have an increased risk...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: The State of State, Territorial, and Tribal Suicide Prevention

April 16, 2021
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is hosting a webinar that will highlight a recent report on the state of state,...
Weekly Spark

Save the Date: National Weekend of Prayer for Faith, Hope, & Life

April 16, 2021
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) Faith Communities Task Force is hosting a National Weekend of Prayer for Faith,...
Director's Corner

Child Abuse Prevention is Suicide Prevention

April 16, 2021
It is becoming more evident that preventing child maltreatment can help prevent suicide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, risk factors for...
Weekly Spark

Care Transitions Podcast Series

March 26, 2021
Education Development Center (EDC) has launched a Care Transitions Podcast Series. It showcases the insights of health care and lived experience...
Weekly Spark

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action

March 26, 2021
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG), in collaboration with...
Weekly Spark

New Hampshire Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Success Story

March 26, 2021
SPRC proudly announces the release of a new state suicide prevention infrastructure success story. New Hampshire’s State Plan Implementation Approach spotlights New...
Weekly Spark

The State of State, Territorial, and Tribal Suicide Prevention

March 26, 2021
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the importance of building state infrastructure for effective suicide...
From the Field

New Hampshire’s State Plan Implementation Approach

February 18, 2021
New Hampshire’s implementation of its state suicide prevention plan provides a powerful example of coordinated work resulting in tangible improvements...
Weekly Spark

Military and Veteran Families Fact Sheet Series

January 22, 2021
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has released a Military and Veteran Families Fact Sheet Series. It includes fact...
Weekly Spark

Website Launch: Global Construction Industry Suicide Prevention

January 22, 2021
United Suicide Survivors International (US) and Sally Spencer-Thomas have launched a website to prevent suicide in the global construction industry. It offers resources to...
Weekly Spark

Archived Workshop: Social Disconnection and Late-Life Suicide

January 22, 2021
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has archived recordings of its recent virtual workshop on social disconnection and late-life...
Weekly Spark

Postdoctoral Training in Suicide Prevention Research

January 22, 2021
The University of Rochester Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide (UR-CSPS) is accepting applications for postdoctoral research fellowships in suicide prevention....
Weekly Spark

Suicide Best Practices for Child Death Review Teams

January 22, 2021
The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (NCFRP) has released Suicide Best Practices with guidance to support child death review teams...
Weekly Spark

Treatment for Suicidal Ideation, Self-Harm, and Suicide Attempts among Youth

January 22, 2021
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released Treatment for Suicidal Ideation, Self-Harm, and Suicide Attempts among Youth....
Weekly Spark

How to Help Someone at Risk of Suicide

January 22, 2021
NPR A recent survey found most Americans know suicide is preventable and would like to be able to help a person at...
Weekly Spark

Amid COVID and Racial Unrest, Black Churches Put Faith in Mental Health Care

January 22, 2021
Kaiser Health News As COVID-19 and racial inequity take a toll on Black communities, faith organizations are playing a key...
Weekly Spark

Association between Food Insecurity and Suicide Risk

January 22, 2021
A recent study found an association between participation in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and suicide risk. While other...
Weekly Spark

Action Alliance Statement on CDC Mortality Data

January 22, 2021
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and its partners have released a statement in response to new mortality data from the...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at International News in 2020

January 08, 2021
INTERNATIONAL: Rail Suicides: A Joint Nordic Approach to Reduce Numbers—Nordic Labour Journal INTERNATIONAL: Suicide Risk and Prevention during the COVID-19...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at State and Community News in 2020

January 08, 2021
UTAH: Utah Becomes Latest State to Ban Discredited LGBTQ “Conversion Therapy”—NPR WASHINGTON: Mental Health Experts Race to Help Children Cope...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at National News in 2020

January 08, 2021
Social Distancing Prevents Infections, But It Can Have Unintended Consequences—Science Magazine I'm Worried about the Psychological Toll on Health Care...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at Research Summaries in 2020

January 08, 2021
Suicide Attempts and Eating Disorders | Suicide Prevention Resource Center Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation—Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report...
Director's Corner

A Look Back at Director’s Corners in 2020

January 08, 2021
Black Lives Matter in Suicide Prevention Suicide Prevention in Schools: Strategies for COVID-19 A New Partnership for Suicide Prevention End-of-Year...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Highlights in 2020

January 08, 2021
In a year of multiple public health challenges, SPRC provided critical support for suicide prevention efforts across the country. We...
Director's Corner

2020 End-of-Year Reflection

December 18, 2020
Friends, As you reflect on the past year, what are you most grateful for? We at SPRC are grateful for...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Improving Health Outcomes for Diverse Clients

December 11, 2020
The Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network is hosting a two-part webinar on improving health outcomes for diverse populations. Part 1 will...
Weekly Spark

National ACT Virtual Meetings and Discussion Forum

December 11, 2020
The Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network and the UNC Institute for Best Practices are hosting regular meetings for Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams. The...
Weekly Spark

Service-Ready Tools for Identification, Prevention, and Treatment of Suicide Risk

December 11, 2020
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has announced three funding opportunities for service-ready tools for the identification, prevention, and...
Weekly Spark

Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition 2020

December 11, 2020
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) has announced this year’s winners of the Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition. The competition...
Weekly Spark

Action Alliance Job Opportunity: Deputy Director

December 11, 2020
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is seeking a full-time deputy director. Responsibilities include project management, budget and...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Removing Cops from Behavioral Crisis Calls: “We Need to Change the Model”

December 11, 2020
NPR San Francisco is changing the way it responds to behavioral health crisis calls. Under a new program,  behavioral health-related...
Weekly Spark

Boosting Access to Mental Health Care during Pandemic and Beyond

December 11, 2020
AMA News Physician organizations are working to integrate primary and behavioral health care across the country. Physical and behavioral health...
Weekly Spark

Older Adults Should Pay Close Attention to Mental Health—Especially during Pandemic

December 11, 2020
Orlando Sentinel Older adults may struggle with their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. With decreased social interaction and physical activity, older...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grants

December 11, 2020
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) has released a funding opportunity announcement for...
Weekly Spark

Spark Schedule

December 11, 2020
As we ease into the new year, we hope you and your loved ones are healthy and well. Due to the...
Weekly Spark

How School Leaders Shift Suicide Prevention to the Virtual World

December 04, 2020
District Administration As many kids experience increased stress due to COVID-19 and racial inequity, experts recommend schools set up a...
Weekly Spark

How to Talk to Children about Suicide: An Age-by-Age Guide

December 04, 2020
TODAY Talking to kids about mental health and suicide can help them feel safe and supported. How should parents address...
Weekly Spark

Postvention Effectiveness

December 04, 2020
Suicide bereavement support (i.e., postvention) may be an important prevention strategy for people who have experienced a suicide loss. However,...
Weekly Spark

National Suicide Hotline Designation Act Signed into Law

December 04, 2020
The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act has been signed into law, establishing 988 as the new national suicide prevention and mental health...
Weekly Spark

COVID Guidance: Screening for Suicide Risk during Telehealth Visits

December 04, 2020
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has released COVID Guidance: Screening for Suicide Risk during Telehealth Visits. This...
Weekly Spark

State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Success Stories

December 04, 2020
SPRC is pleased to release three new success stories about building state suicide prevention infrastructure: Building State and Local Funding...
Weekly Spark

After a Suicide: A Guide for Veterinary Workplaces

December 04, 2020
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in...
Weekly Spark

All Black Lives Matter: Mental Health of Black LGBTQ Youth

December 04, 2020
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released a new report on the mental health of Black LGBTQ youth. The report analyzes data from...
Weekly Spark

Request for Information: Research on Black Youth Suicide Prevention

December 04, 2020
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a request for information on current research in Black youth suicide prevention. Responses...
Weekly Spark

New EDC Blog Posts

December 04, 2020
Education Development Center (EDC) has published three new blog posts: “COVID-19 Shines a Light on Mental Health,” “Building a Lasting Foundation...
From the Field

Suicides Decrease as Utah’s Prevention Infrastructure Grows

November 23, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3OIcGpW_xY In this short video, Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Director Doug Thomas discusses the importance of...
From the Field

Colorado Legislator Acts with Bold Humility to Prevent Suicide

November 23, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxon5qUwW2k In this short video, former state Senator and suicide loss survivor Linda Newell shares lessons from her involvement in...
Weekly Spark

State Suicide Rates among Teens and Young Adults

September 25, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a report on state suicide rates...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA 2019 NSDUH Findings

September 25, 2020
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released reports and detailed tables from the 2019 National Survey on Drug...
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Preventing Suicide among Black Youth

September 25, 2020
The Children’s Safety Network (CSN) webinar on preventing suicide and self-harm among Black youth is now available online....
Weekly Spark

September State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update

September 25, 2020
SPRC has released the September issue of its State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update featuring the latest content related to state suicide prevention...
Weekly Spark

Now’s the Time to Have a Difficult Talk about Physician Suicide

September 25, 2020
American Medical Association As recently highlighted on National Physician Suicide Awareness Day, physicians have one of the highest suicide rates of...
Weekly Spark

School Psychologists’ Experiences in Suicide Postvention

September 25, 2020
Formal training in suicide postvention through ongoing professional development and graduate training may improve the perceived knowledge and competence of...
Weekly Spark

Action Alliance Marks 10th Anniversary

September 25, 2020
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is celebrating its 10th anniversary. In the past decade, the Action Alliance...
Weekly Spark

Promoting Psychological Health and Suicide Prevention among Older Adults during COVID-19

September 25, 2020
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of Promoting Psychological Health and Suicide Prevention among Older Adults during COVID-19. This sheet...
Weekly Spark

Care Transitions Virtual Learning Lab

September 25, 2020
SPRC is excited to announce the launch of our new online tool, Virtual Learning Lab: Care Transitions. This self-paced module can...
From the Field

Building State and Local Funding in Colorado

September 22, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPrtENOdG14 In this five-minute story, Sarah Brummett of Colorado’s Department of Public Health & Environment describes how Colorado leveraged existing...
Director's Corner

A New Partnership for Suicide Prevention

September 11, 2020
This Suicide Prevention Month, we have some good news to celebrate: the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) has been funded...
Weekly Spark

New Survey Finds Most Americans Want Suicide Prevention to Be a National Priority

September 11, 2020
A new national survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults found the majority of those surveyed (81%) believe, as a result of COVID-19,...
Weekly Spark

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance–United States 2019

August 28, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Supplement highlighting 2019 data from the Youth Risk Behavior...
Weekly Spark

As Students Head Back to College, Virtually or In Person, Counseling Centers Hope to Provide Mental Health Support

August 28, 2020
The Washington Post College and university counseling centers are preparing to offer students extra mental health support this fall. In...
Weekly Spark

When Things Aren’t OK With a Child’s Mental Health

August 28, 2020
The New York Times As the school year starts, experts encourage parents to pay close attention to their kids’ mental...
Weekly Spark

Kids' Mental Health Can Struggle During Online School. Here's How Teachers Are Planning Ahead.

August 28, 2020
USA Today As many schools start the year remotely, some are making social and emotional learning a priority. Adjusting to...
Director's Corner

Suicide Prevention in Schools: Strategies for COVID-19

August 28, 2020
Addressing the mental health needs of students in school communities is more important than ever before. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the...
Weekly Spark

Connections Lab

August 21, 2020
The Safe States Alliance (Safe States) has launched Connections Lab, a free tool for exploring shared risk and protective factor approaches...
Weekly Spark

Information Hub: Adverse Childhood Experiences in Indian Country

August 21, 2020
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has launched an information hub on adverse childhood experiences in Indian Country....
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Practice-Based Suicide Prevention Research Centers

August 21, 2020
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is accepting applications for research centers to support integrated programs of high-impact, practice-based research to...
Weekly Spark

Urban-Rural Differences in Suicide Rates

August 21, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a data brief on urban-rural differences...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation during COVID-19

August 21, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on mental health, substance use, and suicidal ideation during the...
Weekly Spark

“We're Looked at as Superhuman”: How Racism Affects Black Women’s Mental Health

August 21, 2020
TODAY African Americans are as likely to experience mental illness as other Americans but more likely to get poor or...
Weekly Spark

40 Percent of LGBTQ Youth “Seriously Considered” Suicide in Past Year, Survey Finds

August 21, 2020
NBC News A recent report highlights a critical need for increased efforts to support LGBTQ youth mental health. The report contains findings...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide

August 21, 2020
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Education Development Center (EDC), and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention...
Weekly Spark

Transforming Tribal Communities: Weaving Culture into Suicide Prevention Strategies

August 21, 2020
SPRC is excited to announce the release of a new video in our series Transforming Tribal Communities: Indigenous Perspectives on Suicide...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Month: Ideas for Action

August 21, 2020
Looking for ways to observe Suicide Prevention Month? This two-page resource offers information to help anyone, anywhere get involved. In September, we...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Suicide Prevention in Rural Primary Care

August 07, 2020
The Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network is hosting a two-part webinar series on suicide prevention in rural primary care. Part...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Balancing ACEs with HOPE

August 07, 2020
The Mid-America Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network is hosting a webinar to explore how healthy outcomes from positive experiences (HOPE) can reduce the...
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Applying Zero Suicide in Pediatric Care Settings

August 07, 2020
SPRC’s webinar on applying Zero Suicide in pediatric health care settings is now available online. Presenters discuss two examples of how...
Weekly Spark

How to Make Mental Health Care Culturally Responsive

August 07, 2020
Education Development Center (EDC) has published an article on how mental health care providers can foster culturally responsive practices to serve a diverse...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Brief Interventions Could Reduce Risk of Suicide

August 07, 2020
HCP Live A recent analysis found that brief interventions may prevent suicide attempts in patients at risk. Researchers looked at 14 studies...
Weekly Spark

For Older People, Despair, as Well as Covid-19, Is Costing Lives

August 07, 2020
The New York Times Physical isolation during COVID-19 may increase suicide risk among older adults. While those living in residential...
Weekly Spark

“Bear Our Pain”: The Plea for More Black Mental Health Workers

August 07, 2020
NPR As COVID-19 and police violence take a toll on Black communities, advocates are calling for more culturally competent mental...
Weekly Spark

Treating Suicidal Patients during COVID-19

August 07, 2020
SPRC is excited to announce the release of Treating Suicidal Patients during COVID-19, a video series with concrete tips on treating...
Weekly Spark

Information Sheets on Older Adult Mental Health

August 07, 2020
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of two new information sheets on older adult mental health: Reducing Loneliness and...
Weekly Spark

Behavioral Health News: Call for Articles

July 24, 2020
Behavioral Health News is accepting articles for its fall 2020 issue, which will be themed “The Suicide Crisis in America.” Submissions are due...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Suicide and Older Adults

July 24, 2020
CAMS-care is hosting a webinar on suicide and older adults. It will take place on August 12 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET....
Weekly Spark

National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health

July 24, 2020
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released the results of its National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health 2020....
Weekly Spark

Mental Health after COVID-19

July 24, 2020
Scientific American In an opinion piece, psychiatrists write that COVID-19 may lead to long-term innovations in mental health care. According...
Weekly Spark

Facing a Broken Mental Health System, Many U.S. Teens Fall Off a Dangerous “Cliff” in Their Care

July 24, 2020
STAT The transition from adolescence to adulthood can be a critical time for continuity in mental health care. Data suggest young...
Weekly Spark

State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update

July 24, 2020
SPRC has released a new issue of its State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update. This issue features the latest content related to...
Weekly Spark

Preparing for a Return to the Classroom: Suicide Prevention in Schools

July 24, 2020
SPRC and the School-Based Health Alliance are hosting a webinar to help school staff address suicide risk among students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The...
Weekly Spark

FCC Designates 988 for National Suicide Prevention Hotline

July 24, 2020
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted rules to establish 988 as the new national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline....
Weekly Spark

Adherence to Suicide Reporting Guidelines by News Shared on a Social Networking Platform

July 17, 2020
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has published a study evaluating news shared on Facebook for adherence to the suicide reporting recommendations....
Weekly Spark

Understanding Child Suicide: For Military Parents

July 17, 2020
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has released Understanding Child Suicide: For Military Parents. The fact sheet includes information on...
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Communities of Color

July 17, 2020
The recent CAMS-care webinar on suicide and communities of color is now available online. It discusses research, policy, and clinical considerations for effectively...
Weekly Spark

Notice of Intent: Tools to Identify, Prevent, and Treat Suicide

July 17, 2020
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released notices of intent for an upcoming planning grant and research project grant for service-ready tools...
Weekly Spark

Notice of Intent: Practice-Based Suicide Prevention Research Centers

July 17, 2020
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a notice of intent to publish a funding opportunity announcement for practice-based suicide...
Weekly Spark

Notice of Upcoming PCORI Funding

July 17, 2020
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has released a notice of an upcoming funding opportunity for research on brief interventions to reduce...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: The Effects of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Indigenous Communities

July 17, 2020
Medical News Today Indigenous communities are being disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the U.S. and Canada show...
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COVID-19 Adds to Challenges for LGBTQ Youth

July 17, 2020
American Heart Association News COVID-19 may add to the mental health challenges of LGBTQ young people. According to a recent report from...
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Care Transitions: The Role of Connectedness in Preventing Suicide

July 17, 2020
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is hosting a webinar on care transitions and the role of connectedness in...
Weekly Spark

EDC Partners with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

July 17, 2020
EDC has announced that it will build on its SPRC work through a new strategic partnership led by The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC)....
Weekly Spark

COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis Response Resources

July 17, 2020
SPRC has released two new resources for COVID-19 pandemic crisis response: Supporting a Family Member Who Is a Health Care Worker and Supporting...
Weekly Spark

Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss: A Guide for Funeral Directors, Second Edition

July 17, 2020
We are pleased to announce the release of the second edition of Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss: A Guide for Funeral Directors. Developed...
Director's Corner

Black Lives Matter in Suicide Prevention

June 26, 2020
In recent weeks, we’ve seen painful reminders of the racism and violence that Black Americans and other communities of color experience on...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Disparities among Hispanic and Latino Populations

June 26, 2020
The National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network has released a booklet for providers, researchers, and consumers on mental health disparities...
Weekly Spark

Approaching Conversations on the Intersection of Race and LGBTQ Identity

June 26, 2020
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released a blog post that discusses how to approach conversations on the intersection of race and LGBTQ...
Weekly Spark

Supporting Black LGBTQ Youth Mental Health

June 26, 2020
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released a blog post on supporting Black LGBTQ youth mental health. It includes tips on how Black...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Director’s Message on Racism and Mental Health Research

June 26, 2020
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Director Joshua Gordon has written a blog post on racism and mental health research. He describes...
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Notice of Special Interest: Research on Black Youth Suicide

June 26, 2020
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a notice of special interest to encourage research on Black child and adolescent...
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For Stressed-Out Black Americans, Mental Health Care Often Hard to Come By

June 26, 2020
Medical Xpress Despite widespread stress and trauma, Black people may be less likely to receive mental health diagnoses. Experts say...
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"We're Losing Our Kids": Black Youth Suicide Rate Rising Far Faster than for Whites; Coronavirus, Police Violence Deepen Trauma

June 26, 2020
USA Today Mental health advocates are calling for increased efforts to support Black youth. With suicide rates rising faster among...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Resilience among African American Women

June 26, 2020
Interpersonal strengths, like self-efficacy and spiritual well-being, have a protective influence on suicide-related outcomes for African American women exposed to...
Weekly Spark

Applying Zero Suicide in Pediatric Care Settings

June 26, 2020
SPRC is hosting a webinar on applying Zero Suicide in pediatric care settings. It will present two examples of how Zero Suicide...
Weekly Spark

NVDRS Following Nationwide Implementation

June 19, 2020
The Safe States Alliance (Safe States) has released the issue brief NVDRS Following Nationwide Implementation: A Review of the History, Successes,...
Weekly Spark

Strengthening Suicide Prevention during COVID-19 Crisis

June 19, 2020
Education Development Center (EDC) has published an article about Oklahoma’s Zero Suicide initiative. It describes how the state’s work with the Zero Suicide framework has...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Railroad Suicide Prevention

June 19, 2020
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has released a notice of funding opportunity for its Railroad Trespassing Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Applications are...
Weekly Spark

COVID-19 and Suicide

June 19, 2020
Monitor on Psychology According to experts, mental health professionals can take the following key steps to reduce clients’ suicide risk...
Weekly Spark

Evaluation Protocol for the LifeSpan Model

June 19, 2020
An evaluation of the LifeSpan model could provide the suicide prevention field with an example of how to systematically study...
Weekly Spark

COVID-19 Suicide Prevention Messaging

June 19, 2020
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) Media Messaging Workgroup has developed guidance for messaging to the public about suicide prevention during...
Weekly Spark

Tools to Select, Implement, and Adapt Gatekeeper Trainings

June 19, 2020
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of a new tool and an updated tool that can be used together...
Weekly Spark

Engaging and Treating Hispanic and Latino Clients

June 05, 2020
The National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network is hosting a webinar on culturally competent strategies that mental health professionals...
Weekly Spark

Mutual Support Calls for Mental Health Providers

June 05, 2020
The Northeast and Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network is hosting a series of one-hour calls to help mental health providers support...
Weekly Spark

Connecting Prevention Specialists to Native Communities

June 05, 2020
The National American Indian & Alaska Native Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network is hosting a series of listening sessions to help connect prevention...
Weekly Spark

Acceptance by Peers Reduced Risk of Suicide Attempts among API LGBTQ Youth, Report Finds

June 05, 2020
NBC News Acceptance by friends may help reduce suicide attempts among Asian Pacific Islander (API) LGBTQ youth. That is according...
Weekly Spark

Could COVID-19 Finally Destigmatize Mental Illness?

June 05, 2020
Time Magazine A recent piece in Time Magazine argues the COVID-19 pandemic may ultimately produce positive changes in mental health care. Author...
Weekly Spark

Framework for Quality Improvement and Innovation in Child Safety

June 05, 2020
The Children's Safety Now Alliance has released the white paper Framework for Quality Improvement and Innovation in Child Safety: A Guide to Implementing...
Weekly Spark

State Suicide Prevention Plans and Leadership Guidance

June 05, 2020
SPRC is pleased to release State Suicide Prevention Plans and Leadership Guidance. State suicide prevention plans have emerged as a key...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Firearms Injury Surveillance

May 29, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center) is accepting applications for funding...
Weekly Spark

Fellowship Opportunities: Suicide and Adverse Childhood Experiences

May 29, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center) is accepting applications...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in Primary Care

May 29, 2020
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) is hosting a webinar series on caring for people with mental health...
Weekly Spark

COVID-19: The Mental Health Impact on People of Color and Minority Groups

May 29, 2020
Medical News Today Racial and ethnic minorities may be disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal data suggest people from...
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Fear, Isolation, Depression: The Mental Health Fallout of a Worldwide Pandemic

May 29, 2020
Stateline Data from crisis services offer clues to how Americans are coping with COVID-19. Compared to this time last year,...
Weekly Spark

Preventing Suicide in the Midst of COVID-19

May 29, 2020
Education Development Center (EDC) has published an interview with Kim Torguson of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) about the Mental Health...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences

May 15, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is accepting applications for cooperative agreements to address state-specific needs related to the prevention...
Weekly Spark

COVID-19 and Behavioral Health Disparities for Black and Latino Communities

May 15, 2020
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE) has published a resource about the impact...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Grief during COVID-19

May 15, 2020
The Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network and Forefront Suicide Prevention (Forefront) are co-hosting a webinar on grief during COVID-19. The webinar...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Helping Latino Clients Cope with Stress during the Pandemic

May 15, 2020
The National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network is hosting a webinar on culturally responsive coping strategies that mental health...
Weekly Spark

PENNSYLVANIA: These Philly Programs Are Connecting Restaurant Workers to Mental Health Resources

May 15, 2020
Eater Philly A Philadelphia nonprofit is helping to support restaurant workers during COVID-19. Founded in 2015, Cooks Who Care promotes...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Suicide Risk and Prevention during the COVID-19 Pandemic

May 15, 2020
The Lancet Psychiatry Experts recommend immediate action to prevent suicide during COVID-19. In a recent Lancet Psychiatry article, an international group of...
Weekly Spark

Three Tips for Using Telehealth for Suicide Care

May 15, 2020
Education Development Center (EDC) has published an article that offers tips to mental health professionals for treating suicidal patients during COVID-19. The tips...
Weekly Spark

Draft Research Plan: Screening for Depression, Anxiety, and Suicide in Youth

May 08, 2020
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is inviting public comments on a draft research plan for depression, anxiety, and suicide risk...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Expert Jerry Reed on What Everyone Can Do to Reduce Suicide

May 08, 2020
The Could Be Better, tbh podcast has released an interview with SPRC Senior Advisor Jerry Reed. He discusses steps everyone can take to prevent...
Weekly Spark

For Grocery Workers, the Need for Mental Health Care May Outlast Coronavirus Pandemic

May 08, 2020
CNBC People who work in grocery stores and pharmacies may have increased mental health needs during COVID-19. According to experts,...
Weekly Spark

Differences between People Who Think About and Attempt Suicide

May 08, 2020
Machine learning has found that simple risk and protective factor models are limited in their ability to distinguish between those...
Weekly Spark

COVID-19 Emergency Response for Suicide Prevention Grants

May 08, 2020
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for COVID-19 emergency response grants for suicide prevention. The purpose...
Weekly Spark

Notice of Special Interest: Mental Health Research on COVID-19

May 01, 2020
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has issued a notice of special interest for research to strengthen the mental health response...
Weekly Spark

Website Launch: Pandemic Crisis Services Response Coalition

May 01, 2020
The Pandemic Crisis Services Response Coalition has launched a website to help address mental health challenges related to COVID-19. The website contains guidance for...
Weekly Spark

I'm Worried about the Psychological Toll on Health Care Workers. They Need Help.

May 01, 2020
WBUR To help address the emotional toll of COVID-19 on health care workers, experts offer tips for coping. Support groups...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation

May 01, 2020
To help inform workplace prevention strategies, researchers analyzed suicide deaths among workers by industry and occupation. Using data from 32...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health & Suicide Prevention National Response to COVID-19

May 01, 2020
Recognizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s mental health and well-being, the National Action Alliance for Suicide...
Weekly Spark Announcement

Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention During COVID-19: What School-Based Staff Need to Know

May 01, 2020
SPRC is pleased to co-host a webinar with the School-Based Health Alliance and the National Center for School Mental Health as part of their...
Weekly Spark

OHIO: Butler County Students Continue Fighting for Suicide Prevention from Their Homes

April 24, 2020
Journal-News A school-based suicide prevention program in Ohio has gone virtual. Members of the Lakota Hope Squad, a peer support...
Weekly Spark

Restricting Suicidal Patients' Access to Drugs with High Case Fatality Rates Vital to Suicide Prevention

April 24, 2020
Healio New research suggests limiting access to certain types of drugs may help prevent suicide among those at risk. Researchers used data...
Weekly Spark

Substance Use Disorders and Suicide Risk

April 24, 2020
Substance use disorders were associated with increased risk of suicide death in a study of health care system patients. Those...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Strengthening Faith Community Connectedness during the COVID-19 Pandemic

April 24, 2020
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) Faith Communities Task Force is hosting a webinar on strengthening faith community connectedness during COVID-19....
Weekly Spark

State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update

April 24, 2020
SPRC has released a new issue of its State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update. The newsletter features the latest content related to...
Weekly Spark

Treating Suicidal Patients during COVID-19: Best Practices and Telehealth

April 24, 2020
SPRC’s webinar on treating patients at risk for suicide during COVID-19 is now archived online. Presenters discuss three best practices in...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Mental Health Care in Colorado Has Gone Virtual Thanks to Coronavirus. For Some Patients, It’s Long Overdue.

April 10, 2020
The Colorado Sun Colorado mental health providers are adapting to meet changing needs during COVID-19. Following guidance from state and...
Weekly Spark

Best Practices for Reporting on Suicide

April 10, 2020
Members of the media play a critical role in suicide prevention. SPRC encourages news outlets to follow best practices for safe and...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Mortality in the United States, 1999–2018

April 10, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a data brief on suicide mortality in the U.S. between 1999 and...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Addressing Black Youth Suicide

April 10, 2020
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting an interactive roundtable webinar on addressing suicide among Black youth. It will feature...
Weekly Spark

Virtual Event: Peer Support across Crisis Services

April 10, 2020
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS)...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON: Mental Health Experts Race to Help Children Cope with Stay-at-Home Life amid Coronavirus Closures

April 10, 2020
The Seattle Times To help kids cope during school closures, mental health professionals in Washington are offering virtual support. Some...
Weekly Spark

Call for Submissions: Novel Approaches to Suicide Prevention

April 03, 2020
The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is accepting submissions for a special issue on "Novel Approaches to Suicide Prevention: Protective Factors...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Comprehensive Suicide Prevention

April 03, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a funding opportunity for the implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive approach...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Mental Health on College Campuses during a Pandemic

April 03, 2020
The Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network is hosting a two-part webinar series on changing the conversation about mental health on...
Weekly Spark

Coronavirus Outbreak Raises Threats to Mental Health

April 03, 2020
The Hill Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, crisis services are experiencing increased demand. Samaritans of Boston has reported...
Weekly Spark

Panic Attacks and Night Terrors: The Mental Health Toll of Coronavirus

April 03, 2020
HuffPost The stress and uncertainty of the coronavirus could pose long-term challenges, especially for those with mental health conditions. That...
Weekly Spark

VA Success Story—New Veterans Answering Calls Checking In

April 03, 2020
Military Times A unique program is connecting new veterans with support. Run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Solid...
Weekly Spark

Resources to Support Mental Health and Coping with the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

April 03, 2020
Looking for information on mental health and coping with the effects of COVID-19? Check out our compilation of resources for the general...
Weekly Spark

Active Minds 2020 Healthy Campus Awardees

March 27, 2020
Five campuses recently won the Active Minds 2020 Healthy Campus Award: Denison University, Santa Monica College, Skidmore College, University of Arizona, and University...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Suicide Prevention across the Educational Continuum

March 27, 2020
The Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) and Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) are hosting a six-part webinar series that...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Adapting Prevention Interventions to Better Serve Vulnerable Populations

March 27, 2020
The Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network is hosting a webinar on adapting prevention interventions to better serve vulnerable populations. It will...
Weekly Spark

SAVE Award for Excellence in Reporting on Suicide

March 27, 2020
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) is accepting submissions for its Award for Excellence in Reporting on Suicide. The award recognizes...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: Students Often Struggle After a Mental Health Crisis. Can This Support System Help?

March 27, 2020
PBS News Hour A successful program for helping students re-enter school after absences for mental health care has been implemented...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Marin Unveils First Countywide Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan

March 27, 2020
Marin Independent Journal Marin county’s first suicide prevention strategic plan is bringing together schools, hospitals, government agencies, and law enforcement...
Weekly Spark

Feeling Anxious about Coronavirus? There’s an App for That.

March 27, 2020
Vox Stress and anxiety caused by the coronavirus pandemic is vastly increasing the use of digital mental health tools, including...
Weekly Spark

Universities’ Response to Supporting Mental Health of College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

March 27, 2020
Psychiatric Times The combination of ways in which COVID-19 is uniquely impacting college and university students is leading to greater...
Weekly Spark

State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update

March 27, 2020
SPRC has released a new issue of its State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update. The newsletter features the latest content related to...
Weekly Spark

As Suicide Rates Climb, Crisis Centers Expand

March 20, 2020
Stateline Most people in a mental health- or drug-related crisis, who are picked up by law enforcement for a misdemeanor,...
Weekly Spark

Social Distancing Prevents Infections, But It Can Have Unintended Consequences

March 20, 2020
Science Magazine The social distancing needed to address the coronavirus pandemic does not come naturally to human beings. “The coronavirus...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Coronavirus: How to Protect Your Mental Health

March 20, 2020
BBC The unprecedented amount of uncertainty due to coronavirus and the constant news about it are taxing people’s mental health,...
Weekly Spark

Lethal Means and Suicide Prevention

March 20, 2020
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s (Action Alliance) Lethal Means Stakeholder Group has released Lethal Means & Suicide Prevention: A Guide for...
Weekly Spark

Research Grants to Prevent Firearms-Related Violence

March 06, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is accepting applications for research grants to prevent firearms-related violence and injuries. Applications are...
Weekly Spark

WISQARS 2018 Fatal and Nonfatal Injury Data

March 06, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) to...
Weekly Spark

National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care

March 06, 2020
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care: Best Practice Toolkit....
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ALASKA: Suicide Prevention Model Relies on Local Adaptation

March 06, 2020
Alaska Public Media A suicide prevention model implemented successfully with Alaska Native communities in the Northwest Arctic Borough is now...
Weekly Spark

Law Students Say They Don't Get Mental Health Treatment for Fear It Will Keep Them from Becoming Lawyers. Some States Are Trying to Change That.

March 06, 2020
CNN Some states are taking steps to reduce discrimination against law students with mental health conditions. To practice law, students...
Weekly Spark

Creating a Stronger Data Infrastructure for Suicide Prevention

March 06, 2020
In this archived webinar, presenters explored SPRC’s newly released Data Infrastructure: Recommendations for State Suicide Prevention, a supplement to the Recommendations for State...
Weekly Spark

Podcast Interview: The Suicide Rate Just Rose Again. What Does That Mean for Prevention?

March 06, 2020
Education Development Center (EDC) has released a new podcast interview with EDC’s Jerry Reed and Kristen Quinlan. In the interview, they break...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Caring Contacts for Suicide Prevention in VA

February 28, 2020
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research & Development Service (HSR&D) is hosting a webinar on adapting and implementing...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Notice of Special Interest: Risk Algorithms in Health Care Settings

February 28, 2020
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a notice of special interest to highlight research priorities for applying risk algorithms...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Rail Suicides: A Joint Nordic Approach to Reduce Numbers

February 28, 2020
Nordic Labour Journal The Nordic Council Welfare Committee has released a proposal for preventing suicide in the region. The proposal...
Weekly Spark

Nurses May Need Suicide Prevention Screening

February 28, 2020
HealthDay According to a recent study, nurses are at increased risk for suicide. Using federal data, researchers compared suicide rates among...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Attempts and Eating Disorders

February 28, 2020
U.S. adults with a lifetime history of an eating disorder—anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder—are at increased risk of...
Weekly Spark

Save the Date: National Weekend of Prayer for Faith, Hope, & Life

February 28, 2020
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) Faith Communities Task Force is hosting a National Weekend of Prayer for Faith,...
Weekly Spark

Mortality in State and Federal Prisons and Local Jails

February 21, 2020
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has released mortality data from state and federal prisons and local jails. The data show that from...
Weekly Spark

Understanding and Leveraging the Power of Digital and Social Media for Suicide Prevention

February 21, 2020
Safe States Alliance (Safe States) is hosting a webinar on understanding and leveraging the power of digital and social media for suicide...
Weekly Spark

School Tip Lines Were Meant to Stop Shootings, but Uncovered a Teen Suicide Crisis

February 21, 2020
NBC News Initially set up to prevent school shootings, anonymous tip lines across the U.S. are now helping to address...
Weekly Spark

Officer Suicide Prevention and Wellness Programs

February 21, 2020
A recent study looked at the suicide prevention or wellness programs offered by law enforcement agencies across the United States....
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Awards Suicide Prevention Funding

February 21, 2020
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded suicide prevention funding to 16 U.S. colleges and universities and 10 state and...
Weekly Spark

State Infrastructure Success Stories: Utah, Tennessee

February 21, 2020
SPRC has released two new success stories featuring states that have built critical suicide prevention infrastructure: Read about Utah’s multifaceted suicide prevention program.Learn...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Trends and Treatment Disparities among U.S. Adolescents

February 14, 2020
The Central East Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network is hosting a webinar on suicide among Black children. It will review signs and...
Weekly Spark

Supervision Basics for Organizations New to Employing Peer Support Workers

February 14, 2020
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS)...
Weekly Spark

State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update

February 14, 2020
SPRC has released the third issue of its State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update. The newsletter includes information on the latest content...
Weekly Spark

UTAH: Utah Becomes Latest State to Ban Discredited LGBTQ “Conversion Therapy”

February 14, 2020
NPR Utah has banned conversion therapy for minors. Aimed at altering a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, the practice...
Weekly Spark

Study: Higher Poverty Tied to Increased Youth Suicide Risk

February 14, 2020
U.S. News & World Report New findings suggest there may be a link between poverty and youth suicide. Researchers analyzed national data...
Weekly Spark

Syndromic Surveillance of Suicidal Ideation and Self-Directed Violence

February 07, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an analysis of syndromic surveillance data showing that emergency department visit rates...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Research on Interventions in Primary Care Settings

February 07, 2020
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is accepting applications for a research project grant and planning grant to carry out practice-based research testing...
Weekly Spark

JAPAN: Japanese Suicides Decline to Lowest in over 40 Years

February 07, 2020
Reuters According to Japanese authorities, suicides have decreased for the tenth year in a row. Falling by about 40 percent...
Weekly Spark

U.S. Suicide Rate Rises 40% over 17 Years, with Blue-Collar Workers at Highest Risk, CDC Finds

February 07, 2020
CNBC A recent analysis found that blue-collar workers are at higher risk of suicide than people in other professions. These findings come...
Weekly Spark

CDC Releases 2018 National Mortality Data

February 07, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released 2018 national morality data. The data show there was a 1.4%...
Weekly Spark

Creating a Stronger Data Infrastructure for Suicide Prevention

February 07, 2020
Are you a state leader or epidemiologist tasked with advancing suicide prevention planning? Join SPRC for a webinar on our...
Weekly Spark

Zero Suicide International Summit

January 31, 2020
Zero Suicide International (ZSI) and Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) are hosting the fifth international Zero Suicide Summit with the theme “Urgency by...
Weekly Spark

World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference

January 31, 2020
The First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM) is hosting the World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference with the theme “Strength...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation

January 31, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on suicide rates by industry and occupation using 2016 data...
Weekly Spark

2017 NVDRS Data Now Available in WISQARS

January 31, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated its Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS)...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON: A Novel Idea for Mental Health Care in Rural Washington

January 31, 2020
High Country News A hospital district in rural Washington is increasing patient access to behavioral health care. When the Columbia...
Weekly Spark

Annual Report Shows National and International College Mental Health Trends

January 31, 2020
Penn State News A new report summarizes college mental health trends in the U.S. and around the world. Released by the Center...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Risk after Emergency Department Visit

January 31, 2020
Emergency department patients presenting with intentional self-harm or suicidal thoughts are at increased risk of suicide in the year after...
Weekly Spark

Grants to Implement Zero Suicide in Health Systems

January 31, 2020
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for grants to implement Zero Suicide in health systems. Applications...
Weekly Spark

Enhanced Guidance on Using the Effective Suicide Prevention Model

January 31, 2020
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is pleased to release enhanced guidance on using our Effective Suicide Prevention Model to...
From the Field

Tennessee’s Statewide Suicide Prevention Network

January 28, 2020
The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) is an independent nonprofit organization that is housed within Mental Health America of the MidSouth and has regional...
From the Field,

Utah’s Multifaceted Suicide Prevention Program

January 28, 2020
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health oversees the implementation of the...
Weekly Spark

HESPC Conference: Call for Presentations

January 24, 2020
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Suicide Prevention Coalition (HESPC) has released a call for presentations for its 2020 annual conference. Applications are due by...
Weekly Spark

Zero Suicide Institute Job Opportunities

January 24, 2020
EDC’s Zero Suicide Institute has full-time openings for an administrative coordinator in Waltham, Mass., and a senior project associate based in Waltham, Mass.; Washington, D.C.; or...
Weekly Spark

IOWA: DMU Becomes First Medical School to Require Mental Health Course for Students

January 24, 2020
NBC 13 Des Moines University (DMU) medical students are learning how to care for people with serious mental illness. In...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Mental Health Help Expanding at D.C. Schools

January 24, 2020
U.S. News and World Report Washington, D.C., is working to connect students with mental health support. To help increase access...
Weekly Spark

More Americans Are Killing Themselves at Work

January 24, 2020
The Washington Post The importance of workplace suicide prevention is getting increased attention. According to federal data, the number of suicides...
Weekly Spark

Grants to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

January 24, 2020
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for grants to implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. Applications...
Weekly Spark

State Infrastructure Success Stories: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York

January 24, 2020
SPRC has released three new success stories featuring states that have built critical suicide prevention infrastructure: Find out how Massachusetts has funded its suicide...
Weekly Spark

Grant Opportunity: Mental Health Infrastructure in AI/AN Communities

January 17, 2020
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting grant applications to plan and develop infrastructure that promotes the mental...
Weekly Spark

IDAHO: Suicide Prevention Hotline Now Making Follow-Up Calls to Discharged Patients

January 17, 2020
KIVI BOISE In the past few years, the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline (ISPH) has increased its outreach to help support...
Weekly Spark

Aiming for Zero Suicides

January 17, 2020
AAMCNEWS Increasing numbers of health care organizations are integrating suicide prevention into patient care. Hundreds of health care systems across...
Weekly Spark

Instructions to Comment on FCC Hotline Proposal

January 17, 2020
As you may have heard, the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018 required the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Substance Abuse and...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Suicidal Behaviors in Clinical Populations

January 17, 2020
The New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network is hosting a webinar on suicidal behaviors in clinical populations at high risk. It...
Weekly Spark

From Science to Practice: Postvention, Empathy

January 10, 2020
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has added two new literature reviews to its “From Science to Practice” series,...
Weekly Spark

Three Things College Campuses Can Do to Prevent Suicide

January 10, 2020
Education Development Center (EDC) has published an article about preventing suicide on college campuses. It discusses meaningful actions colleges and universities can take...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Tools Receive Media Awards

January 10, 2020
Education Development Center (EDC) has published an announcement about the Omni Awards recently awarded to SPRC for Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) and The Patient Safety...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: A Construction Company Embraces Frank Talk about Mental Health to Reduce Suicide

January 10, 2020
NPR A Colorado-based construction company has established a model for preventing suicide among employees. Following the suicide deaths of some...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Advocates Release Workplace Guidelines, Call on Employers to Act

January 10, 2020
Safety+Health New national guidelines aim to prevent suicide in the workplace. Developed for employers in all industries, the guidelines offer best practices...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prediction Modeling

January 10, 2020
Suicide prediction modeling analyzes complex demographic and health data, sometimes from a variety of sources, to identify individuals at risk...
Weekly Spark

State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update

January 10, 2020
SPRC has released the second issue of its State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update. The newsletter includes information on the latest content...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Resources for Schools

January 10, 2020
As students and teachers head back to school after the holiday break, help put suicide prevention on the agenda for the new...
From the Field

Massachusetts Authorization for Suicide Prevention Funding

January 10, 2020
The Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP) was established in 1999 as a public/private partnership between government agencies such as the...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at International News in 2019

January 03, 2020
NIGERIA: HAPPINESS Project Increases Access to Mental Health Treatment in Nigeria—YaleNews INTERNATIONAL: Why People with Mental Illness May Face Poorer...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at State and Community News in 2019

January 03, 2020
INDIANA: MHA to Offer Mental Health First Aid Training to Baristas, Bartenders, Hairdressers—Kokomo Perspective OREGON: The Connection between Eviction and...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at National News in 2019

January 03, 2020
FCC Votes to Set up Three-Digit Suicide Hotline Number like 911—PBS NewsHour Traditional Masculinity Can Hurt Boys, Say New APA...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at Research Summaries in 2019

January 03, 2020
Brief Caring Text Messages for Suicide Prevention among Military Personnel—JAMA Psychiatry How Social Networks May Increase Risk after Exposure to...
Director's Corner

A Look Back at Director’s Corners in 2019

January 03, 2020
About Us: Lived Experience as Lived Expertise The Suicide and Opioid Link: Translating Knowledge into Action Faith Communities as Suicide...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at SPRC Highlights in 2019

January 03, 2020
In 2019, SPRC was grateful to provide critical support for suicide prevention efforts across the country. Throughout the year, we...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Funding Opportunities

December 20, 2019
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released the following funding opportunity announcements: Practice-Based Research for Interventions in Primary...
Weekly Spark

AHRQ Funding Opportunity: Care Transitions Research

December 20, 2019
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has announced a funding opportunity for health...
Weekly Spark

Ring the Alarm: the Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America

December 20, 2019
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health has released Ring the Alarm: the Crisis of Black Youth...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Attempts among Activated Soldiers in the U.S. Army Reserve Components

December 20, 2019
Soldiers in the U.S. Army National Guard and Army Reserve, also called the reserve components, experience many of the same...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Studies Lump Transgender Teens under One Umbrella—and Miss Clues to Help Them in the Process

December 20, 2019
STAT Researchers are calling for more nuanced data on mental health among transgender youth. In many studies, transgender teens are...
Weekly Spark

FCC Votes to Set up Three-Digit Suicide Hotline Number like 911

December 20, 2019
PBS NewsHour Crisis services will soon be accessible via a three-digit number. Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Earns Four Omni Awards

December 20, 2019
We are pleased to announce that SPRC’s Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) online course and The Patient Safety Screener (PSS-3): A...
Weekly Spark

Zero Suicide Outcome Stories

December 20, 2019
SPRC is pleased to release the latest round of Zero Suicide Outcome Stories, which highlight efforts to implement and measure the...
Weekly Spark

New Insight on Suicide Prevention

December 13, 2019
Rochester Beacon Schoolwide networks of close friends and trusted adults may protect teens from suicide risk, a new study suggests. Researchers surveyed...
Weekly Spark

After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Colleges of Veterinary Medicine

December 13, 2019
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)...
Weekly Spark

NIH Notice of Special Interest: Research on Sexual and Gender Minorities

December 13, 2019
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a notice of special interest announcing the availability of funding for the expansion of...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Funding Opportunities

December 13, 2019
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released the following funding opportunity announcements: Dysregulation and Proximal Risk for Suicide –...
Weekly Spark

MINNESOTA: Minnesota Youth Unpack Their Trauma: "We Don't Have to Be Stuck in These Emotions"

December 13, 2019
CBS News Hundreds of youth recently gathered at a cultural healing summit to share and process their trauma. Held at...
Weekly Spark

Research Grants for Preventing Violence and Violence Related Injury

December 06, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is soliciting applications for research grants to study the prevention of adverse childhood experiences....
Weekly Spark

Rural Response to Farmer Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

December 06, 2019
The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) has released an issue guide on the rural response to farmer mental health and suicide prevention....
Weekly Spark

Introducing the Rural Suicide Prevention Toolkit

December 06, 2019
The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) and the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center (RHRC) are hosting a webinar on the Rural...
Weekly Spark

Building Suicide Prevention Infrastructure in Your State

December 06, 2019
In this archived webinar, presenters from SPRC, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and NAMI New Hampshire (NAMI NH) explore...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention in Long-Term Care Facilities

December 06, 2019
The American Society on Aging (ASA) has published a newsletter article by Jerry Reed, Education Development Center (EDC) senior vice president for...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON: New Initiative Aims to Prevent Youth Suicide

December 06, 2019
On the Pulse Seattle Children’s Hospital is implementing a Zero Suicide initiative to prevent youth suicide. Using a five-question tool,...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Has Been Deadlier Than Combat for the Military

December 06, 2019
The New York Times Efforts are underway to understand and address suicide among military service members and veterans. Experts agree...
Weekly Spark

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Suicide Prevention Research

November 22, 2019
The University of Rochester Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide (UR-CSPS) is accepting applications for postdoctoral research fellowships to study suicide...
Weekly Spark

Lifeline Committee Nominations

November 22, 2019
Vibrant Emotional Health is accepting nominations for membership to the three national advisory committees of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline). Nominations should...
Weekly Spark

Adult Health Problems and Adverse Childhood Experiences

November 22, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on the estimated proportion of adult health problems attributable to...
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: As NYPD Suicides Rise, City to Provide Officers Free Mental Health Care

November 22, 2019
NBC News New York City police officers will have free access to mental health care, including counseling and medication. To...
Weekly Spark

Why Mental Health Care Deserts Persist for U.S. Children

November 22, 2019
PBS NewsHour While the child psychiatry profession has grown, many children still lack access to mental health care. A new study looked...
Weekly Spark

Weapon Carrying at School and Suicide Attempts among U.S. Teens

November 22, 2019
A recent study found that high school students who report carrying a weapon on school property may be at increased...
Weekly Spark

New Report on Inequalities in Access to Behavioral Health Care

November 22, 2019
A new report has found widening disparities in network use and provider reimbursement for addiction and mental health compared to physical health....
Weekly Spark

Best Practices in Care Transitions for Individuals with Suicide Risk

November 22, 2019
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) Care Transitions Advisory Group has released Best Practices in Care Transitions for Individuals with...
Weekly Spark

Promoting Connectedness in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities through Culture

November 15, 2019
Watch a webinar on connectedness in American Indian and Alaska Native communities to learn how to engage partners in promoting culturally meaningful...
Weekly Spark

Walking Softly to Heal: The Importance of Community Readiness

November 15, 2019
Use this resource to measure and assess whether your community is ready to implement prevention programming, including leadership involvement and knowledge of...
Weekly Spark

Best and Promising Practices for the Implementation of Zero Suicide in Indian Country

November 15, 2019
Check out a cultural adaptation of the Zero Suicide Toolkit for health systems serving Native American communities, recently released by Zero Suicide...
Weekly Spark

What People Get Wrong About Suicides on Tribal Lands

November 15, 2019
HuffPost Native Americans are at higher risk for suicide than the general population, but suicide rates vary widely across tribal...
Weekly Spark

Preventing Suicide in Yup’ik Youth

November 15, 2019
A community-based intervention that promotes culturally generated reasons for life and sobriety may be a useful tool to protect Alaska...
Weekly Spark

Prevention in Practice: Building Life Skills, Connectedness, and Resilience in Youth

November 15, 2019
This success story describes how Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. (NACA) partnered with northern Arizona schools to implement Coping and Support Training...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Surveillance Strategies for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

November 15, 2019
This report summarizes findings and recommendations from SPRC’s exploration of suicide surveillance among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities across the...
Weekly Spark

Transforming Tribal Communities: Indigenous Perspectives on Suicide Prevention

November 15, 2019
SPRC is excited to announce the release of a new video series, Transforming Tribal Communities: Indigenous Perspectives on Suicide Prevention. This...
Weekly Spark

Call for Submissions: Public Health Approaches to Suicide Prevention

November 08, 2019
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is accepting submissions for a special issue of Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior focused on public health approaches to suicide prevention. Submissions...
Weekly Spark

National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention

November 08, 2019
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and United Suicide Survivors International (United Survivors) have launched a website with the newly released National Guidelines...
Weekly Spark

Cross-Sector Strategies to Prevent Adolescent Substance Use and Suicide

November 08, 2019
Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and Well Being Trust (WBT) have released a report on cross-sector strategies to prevent adolescent substance use and...
Weekly Spark

Health, United States, 2018

November 08, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released its 2018 annual report on...
Weekly Spark

OREGON: Keeping Kids’ Mental Health in Mind

November 08, 2019
Kaiser Permanente A new law allows Oregon schoolchildren to take time off for their mental health. Effective in July of...
Weekly Spark

Youth Suicide Rates Are on the Rise in the U.S.

November 08, 2019
PBS NewsHour A recent study suggests Black high school students are more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. Using nationally representative...
Weekly Spark

Sociodemographics, Perceived Prejudice, and Suicidal Behaviors among College Students

November 08, 2019
College students who believe that most people hold negative views of those seeking mental health treatment (i.e., perceived public prejudice) have...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Student Mental Health and the Law

November 01, 2019
The Jed Foundation (JED) is hosting the second webinar in a two-part series on student mental health and the law. Presenters will...
Weekly Spark

Grant Opportunities: National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative

November 01, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for treatment and service adaptation and community treatment and service grants for...
Weekly Spark

New Blog Post: Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide

November 01, 2019
Education Development Center (EDC) has released a new blog post on preventing suicide among law enforcement officers. It discusses EDC’s work in...
Weekly Spark

Rising Suicide Rates at College Campuses Prompt Concerns over Mental Health Care

November 01, 2019
ABC News As suicide rates rise among young people, U.S. colleges are stepping up their prevention efforts. To help support...
Weekly Spark

Helping Medical Professionals Avoid Burnout and Suicide

November 01, 2019
U.S. News and World Report Prevention experts are calling for increased efforts to prevent suicide among medical professionals. Doctors, nurses,...
Weekly Spark

Circumstances Preceding Suicide in U.S. Soldiers

November 01, 2019
Researchers have identified common circumstances surrounding suicide deaths among U.S. Army soldiers. This information sheds light on prevention opportunities in...
Weekly Spark

State Infrastructure Success Stories: Arizona, Minnesota, Colorado

November 01, 2019
SPRC has launched a new series of success stories featuring states that have built critical suicide prevention infrastructure. Check out the first...
Weekly Spark

Financing Suicide Prevention in Health Care Systems

October 25, 2019
SPRC is pleased to release Financing Suicide Prevention in Health Care Systems. This set of tools provides guidance on optimizing workflows...
Weekly Spark

VA Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Veteran Mental Health and Suicide

October 25, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention (CoE) and University of Rochester Center for...
Weekly Spark

Engaging Service Members, Veterans, and their Families through Faith-Based Partners

October 25, 2019
SAMHSA’s Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance (SMVF TA) Center is hosting a webinar on engaging service members, veterans, and...
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Homicide Rates among People Ages 10 to 24

October 25, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a data brief on suicide and homicide rates among people in the...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Organizations across Colorado Are Integrating Physical and Mental Health Services

October 25, 2019
9 News Health care organizations in Colorado are offering physical and mental health services side by side. Through a federally...
Weekly Spark

New Program Aims to Help Schools Prevent Suicide among LGBTQ Students

October 25, 2019
Today A new resource aims to help schools implement policies to prevent suicide among students. The Model School District Policy on...
Weekly Spark

Spousal Attitudes and Suicidal Thoughts

October 25, 2019
Automatic spousal attitudes—quick emotional associations with one’s husband or wife—can predict suicidal thoughts in married couples. Automatic spousal attitudes are...
Weekly Spark

State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update

October 25, 2019
SPRC has released the first issue of its State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Update. The newsletter includes information on the latest tools...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Notice of Intent for Funding Opportunity

October 18, 2019
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a notice of intent to publish a funding opportunity announcement for pilot effectiveness...
Weekly Spark

National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention

October 18, 2019
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and United Suicide Survivors International (United Survivors) have released A Report of Findings to Direct the Development...
Weekly Spark

Violent Death Surveillance Summary 2016

October 18, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a summary of 2016 data from the National Violent Death Reporting System...
Weekly Spark

New Blog Posts: World Mental Health Day

October 18, 2019
Education Development Center (EDC) has released two new blog posts in honor of World Mental Health Day. They discuss progress in addressing mental...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: PAHO Reports Changes to Media Coverage of Suicide

October 18, 2019
St. Lucia Times In Latin America, journalists are increasingly playing a key role in suicide prevention. The Pan American Health...
Weekly Spark

As Rural Suicide Rates Increase in America, Studies Show Risk Is Not Randomly Distributed

October 18, 2019
NBC News A recent study found that suicide rates have increased the fastest in rural parts of the U.S. Using national data...
Weekly Spark

PTSD Symptoms and Suicide Attempts among Military Personnel

October 18, 2019
Hyperarousal symptoms in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can predict suicide risk among combat-exposed military service members. Researchers recruited 758 active...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Building Suicide Prevention Infrastructure in Your State

October 18, 2019
Does your state have the roads to build a suicide prevention superhighway, or are they full of potholes? Join SPRC,...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Launches Updated Strategic Planning Course

October 18, 2019
SPRC is pleased to release an updated and redesigned version of our popular online course, A Strategic Planning Approach to Suicide...
From the Field

Colorado’s Office of Suicide Prevention and Suicide Prevention Commission

October 15, 2019
The Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention was established in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) during the...
Weekly Spark

Resources for Student Engagement

October 11, 2019
Active Minds has released two new resources to engage students in efforts to address mental health on campus: (1) Recommendations to Shape...
Weekly Spark

Best and Promising Practices for the Implementation of Zero Suicide in Indian Country

October 11, 2019
Zero Suicide Institute (ZSI) at Education Development Center (EDC) has released Best and Promising Practices for the Implementation of Zero Suicide...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: As Student Suicides Rise, a Harvard Case Opens New Questions about Schools' Responsibility

October 11, 2019
WGBH A recent lawsuit is raising questions about colleges’ role in preventing suicide on campus. After Harvard University student Luke...
Weekly Spark

How to Help a Coworker Who May Be at Risk for Suicide

October 11, 2019
MarketWatch Coworkers can play a key role in workplace suicide prevention. Experts recommend looking for signs of crisis in coworkers,...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Attempt Survivor Perspectives on Mental Health Care

October 11, 2019
Suicide attempt survivors can provide a valuable perspective on the factors that contribute to positive experiences with mental health care...
Weekly Spark

Prevention in Practice: Upstream Suicide Prevention in Connecticut Elementary Schools

October 11, 2019
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of Prevention in Practice: Upstream Suicide Prevention in Connecticut Elementary Schools. In this five-minute audio...
Weekly Spark

Public Health Advisor Positions at SAMHSA Suicide Prevention Branch

October 11, 2019
Two public health advisor positions with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) have been posted to USAJOBS....
Weekly Spark

Policies to Protect Youth: Suicide Prevention in New York State Schools

October 04, 2019
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released Policies to Protect Youth: Suicide Prevention in New York State Schools. It provides a comprehensive...
Weekly Spark

NORTHERN IRELAND: Northern Ireland Seeks 10% Fall in Suicide Rate by 2024

October 04, 2019
The Irish Times Northern Ireland has released a new five-year suicide prevention strategy. Aiming to reduce the suicide rate 10...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: LA County to Begin Tracking Suicide Rates, Violent Deaths in LGBTQ Community

October 04, 2019
KTLA Los Angeles County has passed a motion requiring coroners and medical examiners to track suicide and violent deaths among LGBTQ...
Weekly Spark

How a Proposed Three-Digit Suicide Hotline Could Help Prevention Efforts

October 04, 2019
NPR A proposal for a three-digit suicide hotline could help advance prevention efforts. Based on a law passed in 2018,...
From the Field

Minnesota’s Suicide-Related Data Plan

October 02, 2019
Minnesota gathers, analyzes, and disseminates high-quality data on suicide prevention across the state. In 2015, Minnesota passed legislation requiring that a detailed...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Director’s Message on Opioids and Suicide

September 27, 2019
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has published a Director’s Message on the links between opioid use, opioid use disorder, and...
Weekly Spark

From Science to Practice: Unemployment, Geography, Whole Health

September 27, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has added three new literature reviews to its “From Science to Practice” series,...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Advancing State Efforts to Save Lives

September 27, 2019
The South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network is hosting a webinar that will highlight SPRC’s State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Recommendations. Prevention leaders...
Weekly Spark

UTAH: In Rural Utah, Preventing Suicide Means Meeting Gun Owners Where They Are

September 27, 2019
Kaiser Health News Mental health professionals are reaching out to gun owners to help prevent suicide in rural Utah. At...
Weekly Spark

Veterinarians Face Unique Issues that Make Suicide One of the Profession's Big Worries

September 27, 2019
TIME The veterinary field is working to reduce suicide by addressing the unique factors that place veterinarians at risk. These...
Weekly Spark

Suicide in a Statewide Autism Population

September 27, 2019
Between 2013 and 2017, Utah’s suicide rate was significantly higher among individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) than in the...
Weekly Spark

2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report

September 27, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released the 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. It includes the most recent...
Weekly Spark

Why Do So Many Physicians Die By Suicide?

September 20, 2019
Education Development Center (EDC) has released a new blog post from Senior Vice President for Practice Leadership Jerry Reed. It discusses the importance...
Weekly Spark

Be Well: Preventing Physician Suicide

September 20, 2019
The American Hospital Association (AHA) and Education Development Center (EDC) have launched a podcast series on preventing physician suicide. It includes stories...
Weekly Spark

MINNESOTA: New Collaborative Project Targets Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Childhood Trauma in Becker County

September 20, 2019
DL-Online A collaborative effort is working to expand access to mental health and substance abuse supports in Becker County. Project...
Weekly Spark

Colleges and Universities Expand Suicide Prevention Efforts Thanks to Federal Grant

September 20, 2019
INSIGHT Into Diversity Federal grants are helping colleges and universities expand their suicide prevention efforts. In 2018, the Substance Abuse...
Weekly Spark

Randomized Controlled Study of the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program

September 20, 2019
The Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) is a brief, patient-centered therapy that aims to reduce suicidal behavior among patients...
Weekly Spark

Faith Leaders’ Guide to Self-Care after a Suicide

September 20, 2019
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and its Faith Communities Task Force have released Faith Leaders’ Guide to Self-Care after...
From the Field

Upstream Suicide Prevention in Connecticut Elementary Schools

September 17, 2019
https://youtu.be/DkY0Arl8jG0 In this five-minute story, Heather Spada from United Way of Connecticut describes her state’s effort to create and implement...
Weekly Spark

National Recovery Month

September 13, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is holding its annual Recovery Month to increase awareness of mental and substance...
Weekly Spark

Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention

September 13, 2019
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and its partners have released Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention: Model Language,...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: Australia's New Suicide Prevention Advisor Says Culturally Specific Support “Critical”

September 13, 2019
SBS News Australia’s first suicide prevention advisor is calling for a culturally competent approach to addressing suicide. Christine Morgan is...
Weekly Spark

INDIANA: Suicide Prevention at Church: “It’s OK to Have a Therapist and Jesus, Too”

September 13, 2019
Indianapolis Recorder A faith-based program in Indianapolis is offering a safe space for people affected by suicide and mental health...
Director's Corner

Building a Lasting Foundation for Suicide Prevention

September 13, 2019
This Suicide Prevention Month, we are reaching out to those who are struggling and remembering those we’ve lost. It is...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: Risk Assessment

September 06, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention has released a new podcast interview with clinical psychologist Pete...
Weekly Spark

Call for Applications: Healthy Campus Award

September 06, 2019
Active Minds has released a call for applications for the 2020 Healthy Campus Award. The Healthy Campus Award champions schools that are taking...
Weekly Spark

Leveraging Funding Sources and Partnerships in Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention

September 06, 2019
The Children’s Safety Network (CSN) has released a paper on leveraging funding sources and partnerships in child and adolescent injury prevention. It...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Job Opportunity: Prevention Specialist

September 06, 2019
SPRC has an opening for a full-time prevention specialist to provide consultation and support to state, tribal, and campus suicide prevention grantees...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention: Let’s Build a Stronger State Foundation

September 06, 2019
Education Development Center (EDC) has launched its Innovations blog featuring a new post from SPRC Director Elly Stout. It discusses the importance of building strong...
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: New York Probation Offices Screening Youth for Suicide Risk

September 06, 2019
AP News A program in upstate New York is working to prevent suicide among youth in the juvenile justice system....
Weekly Spark

Trans Students Often Struggle with Mental Health

September 06, 2019
Inside Higher Ed A new study found that transgender and gender-nonconforming students are four times more likely to report mental health issues...
Weekly Spark

Psychiatric Emergency Department Visits among U.S. Youth

September 06, 2019
From 2011 to 2015, psychiatric emergency department (ED) visits increased by 28% (from 31.3 to 40.2 per 1,000) for U.S....
Weekly Spark

NIMH Reddit Ask Me Anything

August 23, 2019
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” in honor of Suicide Prevention Month....
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Student Mental Health and the Law

August 23, 2019
The Jed Foundation (JED) is hosting a two-part webinar series on student mental health and the law. Presenters will discuss...
Weekly Spark

Caring for Children of Military Families

August 23, 2019
Home Base is offering a multi-week course on caring for children of military families. Designed for clinicians working in mental health or pediatric...
Weekly Spark

Report on the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018

August 23, 2019
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released its Report on the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018. The report recommends...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA’s 2018 NSDUH Findings

August 23, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released reports and detailed tables from the 2018 National Survey on Drug...
Weekly Spark

NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Launches Nation's First State Program to Prevent Police Officer Suicide

August 23, 2019
Philly Voice New Jersey is launching a statewide program to prevent police officer suicide. The first of its kind in...
Weekly Spark

The U.S. Air Force Has Ordered a One-Day Stand Down to Address a Growing Suicide Problem

August 23, 2019
Quartz In response to rising suicide rates, the U.S. Air Force has ordered a daylong stand down. Over the last...
Weekly Spark

Agencies Boost Efforts to Stop Wildland Firefighter Suicides

August 23, 2019
Las Vegas Review-Journal As suicide among wildland firefighters appears to increase, federal agencies are working to address it. While there...
Weekly Spark

New Recommendations for State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure

August 23, 2019
SPRC is excited to release the first-ever recommendations for State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure. Developed with an advisory panel of experts and...
Weekly Spark

New Report on Mass Violence in America

August 16, 2019
The National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) has released a new report, Mass Violence in America: Causes, Impacts, and Solutions....
Weekly Spark

VA/DOD Suicide Prevention Conference

August 16, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) have announced that they will convene a suicide prevention...
Weekly Spark

ACEs Training for Mental Health Professionals

August 16, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched an online training for mental health professionals on preventing adverse childhood experiences...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Infographic from Healthy People 2020

August 16, 2019
The U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) has released a new infographic that presents recent mental health data from Healthy...
Weekly Spark

Blog Post: Zero Suicide in the Henry Ford Health System

August 16, 2019
The U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) has released a blog post highlighting the Henry Ford Health System’s (Henry...
Weekly Spark

Online Suicide Prevention Summit

August 16, 2019
The Mental Health Academy (MHA) and its partners are hosting a free online Suicide Prevention Summit from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m....
Weekly Spark

National School Mental Health Curriculum

August 16, 2019
The Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network has launched a National School Mental Health Curriculum for states, districts, and schools....
Weekly Spark

Tip Sheet: Suicide Prevention Messaging

August 16, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a tip sheet to help organizations develop suicide prevention messaging....
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: Depressed? Here’s a Bench. Talk to Me.

August 16, 2019
The New York Times A New York City program is using peer support to increase access to mental health services....
Weekly Spark

Putting Guidelines for Reporting on Suicide into Practice

August 16, 2019
NPR NPR is increasing its efforts to follow expert recommendations for reporting on suicide. According to Public Editor Elizabeth Jensen,...
Weekly Spark

The Links between Opioid Use, Overdose, and Suicide

August 16, 2019
A recent review described what is known about the link between unintentional overdose and suicide and provided recommendations for addressing...
Weekly Spark

Isolated and Struggling, Many Seniors Are Turning to Suicide

August 09, 2019
NPR Loneliness, grief, and chronic health issues may contribute to increased suicide risk among older adults. Life changes linked to...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Coalition Launches Assessment Platform for Employers

August 09, 2019
HR Dive A mental health coalition has launched a workplace assessment for employers. The Center for Workplace Mental Health, Mental...
Weekly Spark

Firearms Laws and Statewide Suicide Rates

August 09, 2019
Researchers have found that states with stronger firearms laws have lower suicide rates overall and lower suicide rates by firearm....
Weekly Spark

Partnering with Faith Communities to Promote Faith, Hope, and Life

August 09, 2019
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is hosting a webinar on partnering with faith communities to promote faith, hope,...
Weekly Spark

PCORI Funding Opportunity Announcement

August 09, 2019
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has released a funding opportunity announcement for patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research in suicide prevention. The...
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Screening Youth for Suicide Risk

August 09, 2019
The Children’s Safety Network (CSN) webinar on screening youth for suicide risk is now available online. It presents data on youth...
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Addressing Serious Mental Illness and Suicide in Health Care

August 09, 2019
SPRC’s webinar on addressing serious mental illness and suicide in health and behavioral health care settings is now available online. It discusses...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Ventura County Bartenders Asked to Serve the Question, “Are You Going to Kill Yourself?”

August 09, 2019
VC Star Ventura County is involving local bartenders in suicide prevention. Through a program called Bartenders as Gatekeepers, the county...
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Exploring Systems Approaches and Connectedness to Prevent Suicide

August 02, 2019
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) webinar on systems approaches and social connectedness is now available online. The presentation...
Weekly Spark

Evidence-Based and Evidence-Informed Strategies for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention

August 02, 2019
The Children’s Safety Network (CSN) has released Evidence-Based and Evidence-Informed Strategies for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention. This paper synthesizes findings...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: People with Mental Health Disorders Amend the Descriptions

August 02, 2019
Futurity For the first time, people with lived experience were consulted on the most widely used diagnostic system for mental...
Weekly Spark

MICHIGAN: Michigan Providers Seek to Improve Whole Communities by Integrating Behavioral and Physical Health

August 02, 2019
Second Wave Michigan Michigan is taking steps to integrate its behavioral and physical health care. Later this year, the state...
Weekly Spark

Why Suicide Is a Top Cause of Death for Police Officers and Firefighters

August 02, 2019
Vox Police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, according to...
Weekly Spark

Spread of a Peer-Led Suicide Prevention Program through School Networks

August 02, 2019
Degree of exposure to a peer-led suicide prevention program depends on individual student characteristics and closeness to peer leaders. Sources...
Weekly Spark

Action Alliance Releases Updated AI/AN Hope for Life Day Toolkit

August 02, 2019
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Task Force has released an updated Hope for Life Day...
Weekly Spark

Revised Role Sheets for High School Teachers and Mental Health Providers

August 02, 2019
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of two revised and redesigned information sheets to help high school teachers and...
Weekly Spark

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Young Adults Raising Awareness in Carroll County

July 26, 2019
United Way News Young adults in Carroll County recently received training in substance abuse and suicide prevention. Ages 18 to...
Weekly Spark

How Suicide Prevention Is Becoming Part of Anthony Bourdain's Legacy

July 26, 2019
CNN In the year since Anthony Bourdain’s suicide death, the restaurant industry has increased its prevention efforts. The celebrity chef...
Weekly Spark

Impact of the Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention Program

July 26, 2019
Comprehensive, community-based youth suicide prevention approaches, like the Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention Program, can continue to decrease youth...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Youth Suicide

July 26, 2019
The Northeast and Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network is hosting a webinar on youth suicide. It will discuss suicide risk factors...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Trauma-Informed Systems Leadership

July 26, 2019
The Great Lakes Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network is hosting a webinar on trauma-informed systems leadership. It will discuss strategies, structures, and...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Intersection of Substance Use Disorders, Opioid Abuse, Overdose, and Suicide

July 26, 2019
In collaboration with SPRC, the Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network is hosting a webinar series on the intersection of...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Blog: Suicide Trends among African American Children

July 26, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a blog post on increasing suicide rates among African American children...
Weekly Spark

Request for Information: PREVENTS National Research Strategy

July 26, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released a request for information for the national research strategy for the President's Roadmap...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Why People with Mental Illness May Face Poorer Physical Health and Early Death

July 26, 2019
CNN A new report calls on governments and health care providers to address the physical health needs of people with mental illness....
Weekly Spark

U.S. Behavioral Health Barometer

July 19, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released volume five of its national Behavioral Health Barometer. Using 2017...
Weekly Spark

Suicide: A Preventable Public Health Priority

July 19, 2019
The Region V Public Health Training Center (RVPHTC) has released a free webinar training featuring SPRC Director Elly Stout. It discusses suicide...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Mental Health Training Mandatory for Colorado Coaches

July 19, 2019
Journal-Advocate Starting this fall, Colorado high school coaches must receive training in student mental health. The Colorado High School Activities...
Weekly Spark

Older Adults in Long-Term Care Need Mental Health, Suicide Prevention Care

July 19, 2019
United Press International Recent findings suggest long-term care facilities may be key settings for suicide prevention. Researchers used a computer algorithm to...
Weekly Spark

Impact of an Undergraduate Suicidology Course

July 19, 2019
Providing a semester-long course in suicidology as part of an undergraduate liberal arts education may help expand knowledge related to...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Addressing Serious Mental Illness and Suicide in Health Care

July 19, 2019
SPRC is hosting a webinar on addressing serious mental illness and suicide in health and behavioral health care settings. This webinar will...
Weekly Spark

Addressing Mental Health and Substance Use Issues in Schools

July 12, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have released...
Weekly Spark

From Science to Practice: Suicide Risk among Women Veterans

July 12, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has added two new literature reviews to its “From Science to Practice” series,...
Weekly Spark

Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Grants

July 12, 2019
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting applications for Farm and Ranch Stress...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Healthy People 2020 Mental Health Indicators

July 12, 2019
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) is hosting a webinar on...
Weekly Spark

Webinar for Nurses: Suicide Risk Screening

July 12, 2019
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a webinar recording and transcript that explain how nurses can use the Ask...
Weekly Spark

Leading Causes of Death in 2017

July 12, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released 2017 data on the 10 leading...
Weekly Spark

OREGON: Dozens of Oregon Media Outlets Collaborated on Suicide Prevention Coverage — Here’s What They Learned.

July 12, 2019
Poynter In April, dozens of Oregon news outlets collaborated on an in-depth series about suicide. Called “Breaking the Silence,” the...
Weekly Spark

U.S. Death Rates from Suicides, Alcohol, and Drug Overdoses Reach All-Time High

July 12, 2019
NBC News National rates of suicide, alcohol, and drug overdose deaths are at an all-time high. That is according to...
Director's Corner

Faith Communities as Suicide Prevention Partners

July 12, 2019
Brandon Johnson, MHS; Melinda Moore, PhD Faith communities are an ideal setting to address suicide, promote help-seeking, and mobilize compassionate...
Weekly Spark

ICRC-S Webinar: Exploring Systems Approaches and Connectedness in Communities to Prevent Suicide

July 12, 2019
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar that will explore systems approaches and social connectedness in...
Weekly Spark

Prevention in Practice: Building Life Skills, Connectedness, and Resilience in Youth

July 12, 2019
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is pleased to announce the release of Prevention in Practice: Building Life Skills, Connectedness, and...
Weekly Spark

From Science to Practice: Transitioning Service Members, Veterans Ages 18 to 34

June 28, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has added two new literature reviews to its “From Science to Practice” series,...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Evidence-Based Suicide Assessment for Veterans

June 28, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research & Development Service (HSR&D) is hosting a webinar on evidence-based suicide assessment...
Weekly Spark

E-learning Program: Cultural Competency for Behavioral Health Professionals

June 28, 2019
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) has launched a free e-learning program on cultural...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Prevention: The New Holy Grail of Treating Mental Illness

June 28, 2019
The Guardian Mental health experts around the world are advocating for more investments in prevention. In a recent Lancet Psychiatry article, a...
Weekly Spark

OREGON: HOPE, HEALTH, AND HEALING: Key Stakeholders Convene on Suicide Postvention Plan

June 28, 2019
The Chronicle Community members in Columbia County recently received training in suicide postvention. The four-day session focused on how to...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Rate for Native American Women Is Up 139%

June 28, 2019
USA Today New federal data show that the U.S. suicide rate has risen since 1999, with the largest increase among Native American...
Weekly Spark

How Social Networks May Increase Risk after Exposure to Suicide

June 28, 2019
Cultural beliefs about suicide in a close-knit community following the suicide deaths of popular youth may facilitate the spread of...
Weekly Spark

Action Alliance Joint Statement on New Suicide Data

June 28, 2019
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and its partners have released a joint statement on new data that reinforce...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON: Seattle High School's Suicide Prevention Team Helps Save Lives

June 21, 2019
K5 News Teens at a Seattle high school are working to prevent suicide among their peers. Made up of about...
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Promoting Connectedness through Faith Communities

June 21, 2019
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) webinar on promoting connectedness through faith communities is now available online. It discusses...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Coalitions Guide

June 21, 2019
The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) recently released a guide for creating suicide prevention community coalitions. It outlines a four-step approach...
Weekly Spark

National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health

June 21, 2019
The Trevor Project (Trevor) has released the National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health. The study surveyed more than 34,000 lesbian, gay,...
Weekly Spark

Telemental Health for Suicide Prevention in Emergency Department Settings

June 21, 2019
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is seeking input on current clinical experience in the use of telehealth in emergency department...
Weekly Spark

TENNESSEE: Clarksville First Tennessee City to Train Its Entire Workforce on Suicide Prevention

June 21, 2019
Leaf Chronicle Clarksville, Tennessee, has trained its employees in suicide prevention. Between November and April, all city staff received a...
Weekly Spark

Post-Traumatic Growth in Adults Bereaved by Suicide

June 21, 2019
A recent study examined post-traumatic growth (i.e., positive psychological change resulting from struggle with difficult life circumstances) among adult suicide...
Weekly Spark

Save the Date: National Weekend of Prayer for Faith, Hope, & Life

June 21, 2019
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) Faith Communities Task Force is hosting a third annual National Weekend of Prayer...
Weekly Spark

SPRC’s CALM Course Wins Digital Health Award

June 21, 2019
We are pleased to announce that SPRC’s Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) online course has earned a bronze Digital Health Award!...
Director's Corner

Striking a Balance: A Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Data

June 14, 2019
To help inform prevention planning, suicide prevention practitioners have traditionally relied on suicide death data from vital records and CDC’s National...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Together with Veterans

June 14, 2019
The Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network is hosting a webinar on the Together with Veterans Program. The program aims...
Weekly Spark

Grant Opportunity: Mental and Substance Use Disorder Practitioner Data

June 14, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for a mental and substance use disorder practitioner data...
Weekly Spark

MINNESOTA: Thrive Range to Receive Grant Funding from Minnesota Dept. of Health

June 14, 2019
CBS 3 Duluth A Minnesota program has received funding to expand its suicide prevention efforts. The Thrive Range program, which...
Weekly Spark

UTAH: Beating Utah's Grim Suicide Statistics: LGBT-Focused Center to Open in St. George

June 14, 2019
The Spectrum A suicide prevention center for LGBT youth and families is opening a third location in Utah. Encircle offers...
From the Field

Building Life Skills, Connectedness, and Resilience in Youth

June 08, 2019
The Challenge Many youth in the juvenile justice system face very difficult life circumstances, such as poverty, unstable households, mental health issues,...
Weekly Spark

Community-Based Program to Prevent Veteran Suicide

June 07, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched a community-based program to prevent veteran suicide within the VA Midwest Health Care...
Weekly Spark

Best Practices for Medical Examiners and Coroners

June 07, 2019
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) has released best practices to help medical examiners and coroners talk with families and members of...
Weekly Spark

Sign Up for #CrisisTalk Content

June 07, 2019
The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and its Crisis Now partners recently launched the #CrisisTalk website as a platform to...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Emergency Triage, Treat, and Transport Model RFA

June 07, 2019
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) is hosting a webinar on the Emergency Triage, Treat, and Transport (ET3) Model request...
Weekly Spark

MICHIGAN: Michigan Prison Agency Wants to Reduce Stress, Suicide among Corrections Officers

June 07, 2019
Detroit Free Press The Michigan Department of Corrections is taking steps to prevent suicide among its employees. In response to...
Weekly Spark

What to Say (and Not to Say) to Someone Grieving a Suicide

June 07, 2019
The New York Times To help support a survivor of suicide loss, experts offer the following guidance. Be physically and...
Weekly Spark

The Qasgiq Model for Alaska Native Suicide and Alcohol Abuse Prevention

June 07, 2019
The Qasgiq Model is a strengths-based community intervention that uses Yup’ik Alaska Native indigenous knowledge to reduce youth risk for...
Weekly Spark

Prevention in Practice: Integrating Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention in West Virginia

June 07, 2019
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of Prevention in Practice: Integrating Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention in West Virginia. In this...
From the Field

Integrating Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention in West Virginia

June 03, 2019
https://youtu.be/fPGMJJMGf6s In this four-minute story, Barri Faucett of Prevent Suicide WV describes a statewide initiative to integrate West Virginia’s substance...
Weekly Spark

SAVE National Media Award

May 31, 2019
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) is accepting submissions for its Award for Excellence in Reporting on Suicide. The award recognizes...
Weekly Spark

From Science to Practice: Opioid Use, Lethal Means Safety

May 31, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has added two new literature reviews to its “From Science to Practice” series,...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Meeting the Behavioral Health Needs of Sexual Minorities

May 31, 2019
The Northeast and Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network is hosting a webinar series on the behavioral health needs of sexual minorities....
Weekly Spark

Webinar: What Is Trauma-Informed Care and Why Does It Matter?

May 31, 2019
The Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network is hosting a webinar on trauma-informed care. It will discuss trauma-informed care principles, implementation...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Google, Trevor Project Will Use AI to Combat LGBTQ Youth Suicide

May 31, 2019
NBC News The Trevor Project plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its suicide prevention efforts. The nonprofit provides...
Weekly Spark

IOWA: Gov. Kim Reynolds Signs Children's Mental Health Bill into Law

May 31, 2019
KHQA A new law lays the foundation for a comprehensive children’s mental health care system in Iowa. Recently signed by...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Rates Are Rising among Young Girls, Study Finds

May 31, 2019
NBC News Suicide rates among girls in the U.S. are rising, a new study found. Researchers looked at national data on suicide...
Weekly Spark

Weekly Spark Survey: Share Your Feedback with Us!

May 31, 2019
Have you completed our Weekly Spark survey? Now is your last chance! This confidential assessment will take about 15 minutes to complete...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Earns Two Omni Awards

May 31, 2019
We are pleased to announce that SPRC’s Campus Virtual Learning Lab: Prevention Planning Module has earned two bronze Omni Awards! The awards recognize...
Weekly Spark

Proceedings from the Medical Summit on Firearms Injury Prevention

May 24, 2019
The Journal of the American College of Surgeons has published proceedings from a recent medical summit on firearms injury prevention hosted by the American...
Weekly Spark

Safe Messaging Media Roundtable

May 24, 2019
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are hosting a media roundtable on...
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: Comunilife Founder Rosa Gil Opens Centers for Latina Girls as a Resource for Suicide Prevention

May 24, 2019
Forbes A program in New York City is working to prevent suicide among Latina girls. Founded in 2008, the Life...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Hotlines Struggle to Keep Up with Spike in Activity Following Celebrity Suicides

May 24, 2019
PR Newswire New research suggests crisis services may struggle to meet demand after high-profile suicide deaths. Using national data, researchers found that...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Gatekeeper Training and Self-Efficacy among College and University Faculty

May 24, 2019
Formal training for college and university faculty can increase their confidence in assisting students at risk for suicide. However, many...
Weekly Spark

Weekly Spark Survey: Share Your Feedback with Us!

May 24, 2019
Have you completed our Weekly Spark survey? If not, there’s still time! This confidential assessment will take about 15 minutes to complete...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Launches Updated Data Course

May 24, 2019
SPRC is pleased to release an updated and redesigned version of our popular online course, Locating and Understanding Data for Suicide...
Weekly Spark

Zero Suicide Institute Job Opportunity: Business Associate

May 17, 2019
EDC’s Zero Suicide Institute has a full-time opening for a business associate based in Waltham, Mass., or Washington, D.C....
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Promoting Connectedness among Veterans and Military Personnel

May 17, 2019
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) webinar on promoting connectedness among veterans and active duty military personnel is...
Weekly Spark

PENNSYLVANIA: In a Time of Rising Suicide, Religious Communities Move beyond Condemnation to Care

May 17, 2019
Religion News Service Some Pennsylvania faith communities are working to address suicide. Following the suicide death of one of its...
Weekly Spark

Activists and Suicide Prevention Groups Seek Bans on Conversion Therapy for Minors

May 17, 2019
NPR Advocacy groups are pushing for legislation to ban conversion therapy for minors. Aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Deaths Are Often “Contagious.” This May Help Explain Why

May 17, 2019
TIME Recent findings offer insight on how exposure to a suicide death can increase suicide risk. Researchers conducted dozens of...
Weekly Spark

Coping, Social Support, and Suicide Attempts among Homeless Adolescents

May 17, 2019
Homeless youth who perceive higher levels of social support, including the availability of tangible assistance, may be at decreased risk...
Weekly Spark

Weekly Spark Survey: Share Your Feedback with Us!

May 17, 2019
SPRC has developed a brief survey to help us improve the Weekly Spark. This confidential assessment will take about 15 minutes to complete....
Weekly Spark

#CrisisTalk Website Launched

May 10, 2019
The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and its Crisis Now partners have launched the #CrisisTalk website. It serves as...
Weekly Spark

State Strategies for Averting Early Suicide Deaths

May 10, 2019
The National Governors Association (NGA) has released a new report, State Strategies for Averting Early Deaths: Innovations and Best Practices for...
Weekly Spark

Shining a Light on Suicide Prevention Strategies

May 10, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a blog post by Anita Everett, director of the Center for...
Weekly Spark

FLORIDA: UCF, AdventHealth Partner to Identify Suicide Risk of ER Patients

May 10, 2019
Orlando Sentinel A Florida hospital is screening its adult emergency department patients for suicide risk. Launched in February, the effort...
Weekly Spark

OREGON: The Connection between Eviction and Suicide

May 10, 2019
KGW8 Public health efforts are helping to address the link between eviction and suicide in Washington County, Oregon. According to...
Weekly Spark

With Opioid Overdoses on the Rise, How Do We Know People Die by Suicide

May 10, 2019
The Mighty Many opioid overdose deaths may actually be suicides, data suggest. Determining the intent of an overdose death can...
Director's Corner

The Suicide and Opioid Link: Translating Knowledge into Action

May 10, 2019
The intersection between suicide and the opioid epidemic was front and center at this year’s American Association of Suicidology (AAS) annual conference, as...
Weekly Spark

CDC RFA: Emergency Department Surveillance of Nonfatal Suicide-Related Outcomes

May 03, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a request for applications to conduct emergency department surveillance of nonfatal suicide-related...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Notice of Interest: Grant Applications Focused on Crisis Services Research

May 03, 2019
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has issued a notice that expresses interest in grant applications focused on applied research on crisis...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Rates Fall When States Raise Minimum Wage: Study

May 03, 2019
HealthDay Findings from a recent study suggest that raising the minimum wage could help lower suicide rates. Looking at data...
Weekly Spark

Law Enforcement Agencies’ Perceptions of Temporary Firearms Storage to Prevent Suicide

May 03, 2019
Law enforcement agencies in U.S. Mountain West states perceive few barriers to temporary, voluntary firearms storage to prevent suicide and...
Weekly Spark

Increases in Demand for Crisis and Other Suicide Prevention Services after a Celebrity Suicide

May 03, 2019
Psychiatric Services has published research on increases in demand for crisis and other suicide prevention services after a celebrity suicide. The study examined...
Weekly Spark

Association between 13 Reasons Why and U.S. Suicide Rates

May 03, 2019
The Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP) has published research on the association between the release of Netflix’s 13 Reasons...
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Promoting Connectedness in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

May 03, 2019
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) webinar on promoting connectedness in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities is...
Weekly Spark

How Communities Can Support Those Impacted by Gun Violence

April 26, 2019
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (BRADY) has released a community support resource for those impacted by gun violence. This...
Weekly Spark

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

April 26, 2019
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is holding National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to collect and safely dispose of unwanted medications. It...
Weekly Spark

Number of Children Going to ER with Suicidal Thoughts, Attempts Doubles, Study Finds

April 26, 2019
CNN A recent analysis suggests that suicide-related emergency department visits have risen among U.S. youth. Using national data, researchers found...
Weekly Spark

What We Know and Don’t Know about How Mass Trauma Affects Mental Health

April 26, 2019
Science News How does mass trauma affect mental health? Research offers some clues. One study found that mass shooting victims...
Weekly Spark

Significant Other Involvement in Veteran Safety Planning

April 26, 2019
Collaborative safety planning is part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ standard suicide care. While safety planning can help...
Weekly Spark

Promoting Connectedness among Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel

April 26, 2019
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on promoting connectedness among veterans and active duty military...
Weekly Spark

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

April 26, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is holding its annual National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on May 9....
Weekly Spark

VA Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Toolkit

April 19, 2019
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released a mental health and suicide prevention toolkit for former Guard and Reserve members who...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Connections between Opioid Use, Overdose, and Suicide

April 19, 2019
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research & Development Service (HSR&D) is hosting a webinar on the connections between opioid...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Job Opportunity: Senior Tribal Prevention Specialist

April 19, 2019
SPRC has an opening for a full-time senior tribal prevention specialist to provide capacity-building consultation and support to state, tribal, and campus...
Weekly Spark

PENNSYLVANIA: Yearbook Memorials for Suicide Victims a Delicate Subject in Valley

April 19, 2019
The Daily Item School districts in Pennsylvania’s Central Susquehanna Valley are grappling with how to safely memorialize students who die...
Weekly Spark

Opioid Treatment Programs Gear Up to Provide Suicide Care

April 19, 2019
Stateline Addiction treatment programs will soon be required to provide standard suicide care to patients. Evidence suggests that the country’s...
Weekly Spark

Study of a Suicide Prevention Intervention Delivered by Peer Support Specialists

April 19, 2019
A recent pilot study found that using peer support specialists to engage patients at high risk for suicide may be...
Weekly Spark

Promoting Connectedness in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

April 19, 2019
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on promoting connectedness in American Indian and Alaska Native...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Competencies for Faith Leaders

April 19, 2019
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and its Faith Communities Task Force have released Suicide Prevention Competencies for Faith Leaders:...
Weekly Spark

Prevention in Practice: Care Transitions at New Hampshire Hospital

April 19, 2019
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of Prevention in Practice: Care Transitions at New Hampshire Hospital. This success story details...
From the Field

Care Transitions at New Hampshire Hospital

April 16, 2019
This success story details how the National Alliance on Mental Illness New Hampshire (NAMI NH) and New Hampshire Hospital established...
Weekly Spark

Equity in Mental Health Framework Toolkit

April 12, 2019
The Jed Foundation (JED) and The Steve Fund (TSF) have released the Equity in Mental Health Framework Toolkit. The toolkit aims...
Weekly Spark

From Science to Practice

April 12, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released “From Science to Practice,” a series of literature reviews designed to...
Weekly Spark

Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention Symposium

April 12, 2019
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) recently held an international law enforcement suicide...
Weekly Spark

New Articles: Suicide Contagion and Clusters in Schools

April 12, 2019
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has published two articles on suicide contagion and clusters in its latest newsletter....
Weekly Spark

Administrative Supplements for NIMH Grants to Expand Suicide Research

April 12, 2019
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has announced the availability of administrative supplements for NIMH grants to expand suicide research....
Weekly Spark

International Declaration for Zero Suicide Health Care

April 12, 2019
Education Development Center (EDC) and Zero Suicide International (ZSI) have released the International Declaration for Zero Suicide Health Care. The declaration...
Weekly Spark

After a School Tragedy

April 12, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network has released a resource to help...
Weekly Spark

Provider’s Clinical Support System – Universities Grants

April 12, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for Provider’s Clinical Support System – Universities grants. The program...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: Study Suggests Factors Linked to Teens’ Suicide Attempts

April 12, 2019
Psychiatric News In a UK study, most teens who experienced suicidal thoughts or self-harm at age 16 did not go...
Weekly Spark

Showing Compassion, Accepting Cultures: Preventing Suicide in the Latino Community

April 12, 2019
CNN According to national data, 1 in 4 teen girls and 1 in 10 teen boys in the Latino community...
Director's Corner

Supporting Survivors of Traumatic Events

April 12, 2019
A few weeks ago, we witnessed the tragic suicide deaths of several individuals who had been affected by school shootings....
Weekly Spark

Injury Prevention in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

April 05, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center) has launched a...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: Postvention 101

April 05, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention and the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) have...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: Intimate Partner Violence and Suicide Prevention

April 05, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention has released a new podcast interview on the intersection of...
Weekly Spark

Injury Death Rates among Youth by Intent

April 05, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released QuickStats on injury death rates among youth ages 15 to 19 by...
Weekly Spark

Suicide among American Indians and Alaska Natives, 2003-2014

April 05, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on suicide among American Indians and Alaska Natives. The report...
Weekly Spark

Suicide: How You Can Make a Difference

April 05, 2019
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has posted a “Science Update” with guidance on how to help prevent suicide....
Weekly Spark

National Suicide Prevention Strategies: Progress, Examples, and Indicators

April 05, 2019
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released National Suicide Prevention Strategies: Progress, Examples, and Indicators. The document outlines strategies for developing,...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Why More Men than Women Die by Suicide

April 05, 2019
BBC Future In many countries around the world, men are more likely to die by suicide than women. Increased suicide...
Weekly Spark

VIRGINIA: Virginia's 40 Mental Health Clinics to Offer Walk-In Evaluations

April 05, 2019
NBC29 Virginia’s mental health clinics now offer walk-in evaluations. The state’s 40 clinics provide government-funded behavioral health and developmental services,...
Weekly Spark

Suicide After Surviving Mass Trauma Isn’t Inexplicable. And There Are Ways to Help.

April 05, 2019
NBC News People who have experienced trauma often need long-term support to recover, say experts. Traumatic events, such as mass...
Weekly Spark

After Suicides of Parkland Survivors, Here's What Educators Should Know About Supporting Students

March 29, 2019
Education Week In the aftermath of recent suicide deaths, experts are sharing guidance on how to support young people at...
Weekly Spark

Higher Education Suicide Prevention Coalition Conference

March 29, 2019
The Higher Education Suicide Prevention Coalition (HESPC) is hosting its fourth annual conference on May 30 and 31 in Philadelphia, Pa. The...
Weekly Spark

The New Plan to Prevent Veteran Suicides: New Grants, Better Research, More Community Focus

March 29, 2019
Military Times The U.S. government has announced a new initiative to prevent veteran suicide. A recently signed executive order creates...
Weekly Spark

Youth-Nominated Support Team Intervention and Long-Term Mortality

March 29, 2019
A psychosocial intervention delivered by trusted adults may reduce long-term mortality among youth at risk for suicide. Between 2002 and...
Weekly Spark

Joint Statement to Reporters Covering Recent Suicide Deaths

March 29, 2019
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and its partners have released a joint statement to news reporters covering recent...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Resources for Schools

March 29, 2019
SPRC extends its deepest condolences to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the Sandy Hook community in the wake of...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: You Can’t Unring a Bell

March 22, 2019
United Suicide Survivors International (US) is hosting a webinar on family coping after a suicide attempt. It will discuss how suicide attempts...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Rural Communities Opioid Response Program

March 22, 2019
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Implementation. Funding will help expand substance...
Weekly Spark

Prevention Research Center Network Awardees

March 22, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced Prevention Research Center (PRC) network awardees for 2019 to 2024. The...
Weekly Spark

IOWA: Number of Iowa Teens Who Considered Suicide Climbs 50 Percent in Six Years

March 22, 2019
The Gazette According to a recent survey, an increasing number of Iowa youth have had suicidal thoughts. Carried out by the...
Weekly Spark

Severity, Variability of Depression Symptoms Predict Suicide Attempt

March 22, 2019
Healio The severity and variability of depression symptoms may be associated with suicide risk. Over a 12-year period, researchers followed...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Risk after Cancer Diagnosis in England

March 22, 2019
Receiving a cancer diagnosis may be associated with a 20 percent increased risk of suicide death. Suicide risk is highest...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Supporting Students with Serious Mental Health Conditions

March 15, 2019
The Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) is hosting a webinar on supporting students with serious mental health conditions to help them succeed...
Weekly Spark

CDC Public Health Grand Rounds: Preventing Suicidal Behavior

March 15, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is hosting a public health grand rounds on preventing suicidal behavior. It will focus...
Weekly Spark

ILLINOIS: Countering the Stigma of Mental Health in Chicago’s Immigrant Communities

March 15, 2019
Chicago Health Nonprofit organizations are working to support the mental health of Chicago’s immigrant communities. To help immigrants and refugees...
Weekly Spark

The Air Force Believes Suicide Is Really about Culture — So They're Changing Theirs

March 15, 2019
Connecting Vets In response to recent suicide deaths in the U.S. Air Force, its leaders are calling for a culture...
Weekly Spark

Nearly 1 in 7 U.S. Kids and Teens Has a Mental Health Condition, and Half Go Untreated, Study Says

March 15, 2019
CNN According to a recent study, half of U.S. youth with mental health disorders are not receiving treatment. Using national data,...
Director's Corner

Depicting Suicide: Conveying Hope and Recovery in Entertainment

March 15, 2019
For more than 15 years, SPRC has helped connect prevention practitioners to the latest evidence and tools for safe and...
Weekly Spark

National Recommendations for Depicting Suicide

March 15, 2019
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has released the first-ever National Recommendations for Depicting Suicide in entertainment content, in...
Weekly Spark

Most Inmates with Mental Illness Still Wait for Decent Care

March 08, 2019
NPR Many inmates in the U.S. are not receiving the mental health care they need. National data suggest prison inmates...
Weekly Spark

Brief Caring Text Messages for Suicide Prevention among Military Personnel

March 08, 2019
A recent study found that a text message-based suicide prevention intervention may be a simple, low-cost way to reduce suicidal...
Weekly Spark

VA Blog: Improved Mental Health Care for Transitioning Service Members

March 08, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published a blog post that describes its efforts to provide mental health care to...
Weekly Spark

Website Launch: Mental Health Technology Transfer Center

March 08, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched a website for the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network....
Weekly Spark

Website Launch: Prevention Technology Transfer Center

March 08, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched a website for the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network. The...
Weekly Spark

Zero Suicide Institute Job Opportunities

March 08, 2019
EDC’s Zero Suicide Institute has full-time openings for a manager and a clinical lead based in Waltham, Mass.; Washington, D.C.; or a remote home office. The...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Cannabis Use in Teens Raises Risk of Depression in Young Adults

March 08, 2019
Medical Xpress Cannabis use in teens may increase depression and suicide risk in early adulthood. That is according to a...
Weekly Spark

RHODE ISLAND: URI Aims to Expand Suicide Prevention Efforts

March 08, 2019
Providence Journal The University of Rhode Island (URI) aims to expand its suicide prevention efforts. The university recently joined JED...
Weekly Spark

10th Anniversary Global Mental Health Conference

March 01, 2019
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Center for Global Mental Health Research and Grand Challenges Canada will co-convene the 10th anniversary global mental health conference on April...
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Social Media Tipsheet

March 01, 2019
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) has released Suicide and Social Media: A Tipsheet for Parents and Providers. Developed with physicians and...
Weekly Spark

Suicides among Lesbian and Gay Male Individuals

March 01, 2019
The American Journal of Preventive Medicine (AJPM) has published research on suicide deaths among lesbian and gay male individuals between 2003 and 2014. The...
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Promoting Social Connectedness among Youth

March 01, 2019
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) webinar on promoting connectedness among youth through social networks is now available online....
Weekly Spark

Reduce Access to Lethal Means, Save Lives

March 01, 2019
Education Development Center (EDC) has released an article about SPRC’s updated and redesigned Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) course. It includes information...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: California Chef Aims to Help Restaurant Workers Prevent Suicide

March 01, 2019
NPR A Sacramento chef is working to prevent suicide in the restaurant industry. Patrick Mulvaney is collaborating with Kaiser Permanente, WellSpace...
Weekly Spark

KANSAS: Task Force Recommends Adding State Coordinator for Youth Suicide Prevention

March 01, 2019
KMUW A Kansas task force has released recommendations to prevent youth suicide. The Kansas attorney general and Tower Mental Health...
Weekly Spark

Veterinarians Work to Prevent Suicide as Study Finds Increased Risk: “There Is Absolutely Nothing Weak about Asking for Help”

March 01, 2019
Chicago Tribune A recent study found that veterinarians, especially females, are at higher risk for suicide than the general population....
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: Firearms Safety

February 22, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention has released a new podcast interview with Michael Anestis, director...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Coping Long-Term with Active Suicide Program

February 22, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research & Development Service (HSR&D) is hosting a webinar on the Coping Long-Term...
Weekly Spark

TIP 61: Behavioral Health Services for American Indians and Alaska Natives

February 22, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released TIP 61: Behavioral Health Services for American Indians and Alaska...
Weekly Spark

Five Reasons to Take SPRC’s Updated CALM Course

February 22, 2019
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) has published a blog post by SPRC Director Elly Stout. The post describes five reasons to...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON: Suicide Awareness Training for Washington Lawyers and Their Clients

February 22, 2019
K5 News Lawyers in Washington State are learning about suicide prevention. To help address suicide risk in the legal profession,...
Weekly Spark

The Corps' Suicide Rate Is at a 10-Year High. This Is How the Marines Plan to Address It.

February 22, 2019
MilitaryTimes The U.S. Marine Corps is working to address its increased suicide rates. Starting this year, the Corps will participate...
Weekly Spark

Prescription Opioid or Benzodiazepine Abuse and Suicidal Ideation in Older Adults

February 22, 2019
Past-year abuse of prescription benzodiazepine or opioid medication is associated with suicidal ideation among older U.S. adults, according to a...
Weekly Spark

Zero Suicide Outcome Stories

February 22, 2019
SPRC is pleased to release the Zero Suicide Outcome Stories, a new series that highlights efforts to implement and measure the...
Weekly Spark

Grants to Support New Investigators in Cross-Cutting Violence and Opioid Overdose Prevention

February 15, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is accepting applications for grants to support new investigators in cross-cutting violence and...
Weekly Spark

Crisis Bed Registries to Assist People with Urgent Mental Health Needs

February 15, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD)...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: New Mobile Mental Health Service Dispatched to Help People Who Are at the Breaking Point

February 15, 2019
Redding Record Searchlight A mobile mental health service is now available in Shasta County, California. Staffed by a mental health...
Director's Corner

About Us: Lived Experience as Lived Expertise

February 15, 2019
“Lived experience” is an important term in the suicide prevention community. People who have experienced a suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts,...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Adverse Childhood Experiences, Suicide Prevention, and Opioid Misuse

February 08, 2019
The Safe States Alliance (Safe States) is hosting a two-part webinar series on state case studies that address adverse childhood experiences, suicide...
Weekly Spark

Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide

February 08, 2019
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are launching the Governor’s Challenge...
Weekly Spark

Compliance Standards Pave the Way for Reducing Suicide in Health Care Systems

February 08, 2019
The Journal of Health Care Compliance has published “Compliance Standards Pave the Way for Reducing Suicide in Health Care Systems.” This article...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: What Are Social Media Companies Doing About Suicidal Posts?

February 08, 2019
The Guardian Social media companies have taken a variety of steps to help address suicide risk among users of their...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: A Focus on Student Mental Health

February 08, 2019
Tufts Now Tufts University is expanding its efforts to address student mental health. The university is joining JED Campus, a...
Weekly Spark

Two Percent of High School Students Identify as Transgender, CDC Report Finds

February 08, 2019
NBC News According to national data, 35 percent of transgender high school students have attempted suicide in the past year....
Weekly Spark

New SPRC Video Series on Strategic Communication Planning

February 08, 2019
SPRC is excited to announce the release of a new video series on strategic communication planning for suicide prevention. This series includes...
Weekly Spark

Transgender High School Students and Health Risk Behaviors

February 01, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on violence victimization, substance use, suicide risk, and sexual behaviors...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Blog Post by Elinore F. McCance-Katz

February 01, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a blog post on suicide and American society by Elinore F....
Weekly Spark

NEW HAMPSHIRE: N.H. Awards $4.4 Million Contract for New Behavioral Health Crisis Center

February 01, 2019
NHPR The New Hampshire Executive Council has approved funding for a behavioral health crisis center. The $4.4 million contract will...
Weekly Spark

INDIANA: MHA to Offer Mental Health First Aid Training to Baristas, Bartenders, Hairdressers

February 01, 2019
Kokomo Perspective Training in Mental Health First Aid is now available to baristas, bartenders, and hairdressers in Howard County, Indiana....
Weekly Spark

Higher Suicide Rates Evident among Youth Certain Groups of Medicaid Enrollees

February 01, 2019
EurekAlert! The first study of its kind has looked at suicide deaths in a national sample of Medicaid-enrolled youth. Researchers...
Weekly Spark

Lethal Means Assessment among Emergency Department Patients

February 01, 2019
In an emergency department that screens all patients for suicide risk, providers rarely document that they have performed an access...
Weekly Spark

ICRC-S Webinar: Promoting Social Connectedness among Youth

February 01, 2019
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on promoting connectedness among youth through social networks. The...
Weekly Spark

WISQARS 2017 Fatal Injury Data Now Available

January 25, 2019
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated its Web-Based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS)...
Weekly Spark

Grief to Growth: A Roadmap to a Healthy Grief Journey

January 25, 2019
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Institute for Hope and Healing is hosting a webinar on best practice grief support for suicide loss...
Weekly Spark

Discover NIMH Video Series

January 25, 2019
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has launched a new video series to educate the public about advances in the science...
Weekly Spark

NIGERIA: HAPPINESS Project Increases Access to Mental Health Treatment in Nigeria

January 25, 2019
YaleNews A Yale University-led project is working to increase access to mental health care in Nigeria. The HAPPINESS Project aims...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: First-of-Its-Kind Study of Colorado Suicides Reveals Traumatized Communities—for Reasons that Differ across the State

January 25, 2019
The Colorado Sun The Colorado attorney general’s office has released the results of a yearlong study on youth suicide. The...
Weekly Spark

The Disturbing Link between Opioids and Suicide

January 25, 2019
HuffPost Opioid abuse is fueling a rise in both unintentional overdose and suicide deaths, according to a recent New England Journal...
Weekly Spark

State Policies on Suicide Prevention Training for Health Care Professionals

January 25, 2019
The 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention recommended that all U.S. states update their suicide prevention plans to include policies on suicide...
Weekly Spark

Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Grant Program

January 25, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for the Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Center Follow-Up Expansion Grant Program

January 18, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Center Follow-Up Expansion...
Weekly Spark

MINNESOTA: St. Paul Police Expanding New Mental Health Unit

January 18, 2019
MPR News The St. Paul Police Department is expanding its mental health unit. Currently staffed by four officers and two...
Weekly Spark

Traditional Masculinity Can Hurt Boys, Say New APA Guidelines

January 18, 2019
The New York Times The American Psychological Association has released its first-ever practice guidelines on boys and men. Designed to help...
Weekly Spark

What People Get Wrong About Suicides on Tribal Lands

January 18, 2019
HuffPost Native Americans are at higher risk for suicide than the general population, but suicide rates vary widely across tribal...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention in the Fire Service

January 11, 2019
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is hosting a presentation on firefighter suicide. It will cover suicide prevention strategies,...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Reporting Recommendations: Media as Partners in Suicide Prevention

January 11, 2019
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) has released Suicide Reporting Recommendations: Media as Partners in Suicide Prevention. It includes updated, evidence-based...
Weekly Spark

Improving Care to Prevent Suicide among People with Serious Mental Illness

January 11, 2019
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) have released Improving Care to Prevent Suicide among People with Serious...
Weekly Spark

NEW JERSEY: After Spike in Deaths, New Jersey Looks to Prevent Suicides in Jails

January 11, 2019
WNYC The New Jersey Department of Corrections has announced a plan to address suicide in county jails. The announcement comes...
Weekly Spark

What More Could We Do to Prevent Veteran Suicides? Survey Reveals Clues

January 11, 2019
Medical Xpress Many veterans are in favor of reducing access to firearms during a mental health crisis, recent findings suggest....
Weekly Spark

How Talking about Suicide Can Give People Something to Live for

January 11, 2019
O, The Oprah Magazine Peer support services are helping some who have struggled with suicide to feel less alone. Services...
Director's Corner

Moving into a New Year

January 11, 2019
Happy New Year! As 2019 begins, please join us in pausing to reflect on some milestones from the past year...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Awards Campus Suicide Prevention Funding

January 04, 2019
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded suicide prevention funding to 19 U.S. colleges and universities. Funding comes...
Weekly Spark

EDC/SPRC/Action Alliance Job Opportunity: Senior Communications Specialist

January 04, 2019
SPRC has an opening for a full-time senior communications specialist. The person in this position will provide communications management and support...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at International News in 2018

January 04, 2019
INTERNATIONAL: Twitter Updates Its Policy on Tweets that Encourage Self-Harm and Suicide—TechCrunch UNITED KINGDOM: More Workers Ask for Mental Health...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at State and Community News in 2018

January 04, 2019
INDIANA: Cumberland Police Launch Team to Connect People Struggling with Mental Health with Available Resources—Fox 59 VIRGINIA: These Teens Saw...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at National News in 2018

January 04, 2019
Gaps Remain in U.S. State Policies on Suicide Prevention Training—Reuters 10 Things Suicide Attempt Survivors Want You to Know—Health Soldiers...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at Research Summaries in 2018

January 04, 2019
Lethal Means Counseling in Hospital Emergency Departments—American Journal of Preventive Medicine Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts among Court-Involved, Non-Incarcerated Youth—Journal...
Director's Corner

A Look Back at Director’s Corners in 2018

January 04, 2019
Addressing Despair through Partnerships—Elly Stout Recommended Standard Care for People with Suicide Risk: A Critical Step Forward—Colleen Carr More than...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at New SPRC Resources in 2018

January 04, 2019
Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Primary Care Practices After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools, Second Edition Surveillance Success Stories –...
Weekly Spark

Joint Commission Issues New National Patient Safety Goal Requirements

December 21, 2018
The Joint Commission has issued new National Patient Safety Goal requirements to improve the quality and safety of suicide care in health care settings....
Weekly Spark

Suicide Attempt Risk among U.S. Army Soldiers without a Mental Health Diagnosis

December 21, 2018
A recent study found that U.S. Army soldiers with and without a history of mental health diagnoses shared similar risk...
Weekly Spark

Child Suicides Can Be Linked to Bullying, but It's Never the Sole Cause, Mental Health Professionals Say

December 21, 2018
USA Today While bullying can be linked to suicide risk among kids, experts caution it is never the sole cause....
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: Feds to Finance Mental Health Training for Thousands on Long Island

December 21, 2018
Newsday A three-year program will provide mental health training to 5,000 Long Islanders. Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Eczema Patients at 36% Higher Risk of Suicide Attempts, Study Says

December 21, 2018
CNN New research suggests eczema may be associated with suicide risk. Researchers analyzed 15 studies from around the world comparing...
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Preventing Suicide through Social Connectedness

December 21, 2018
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) webinar on preventing suicide through social connectedness is now available online. The presentation...
Weekly Spark

VA HSR&D Webinar: ACT for Life

December 21, 2018
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research & Development Service (HSR&D) is hosting a webinar on ACT for Life, a...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Launches Updated and Redesigned CALM Course

December 14, 2018
SPRC is pleased to release an updated and redesigned version of our most popular online course, Counseling on Access to Lethal...
Director's Corner

Talking about Lethal Means Safety in Health Care Settings

December 14, 2018
With new CDC data showing continued increases in suicide rates over the past 18 years, the public conversation is focusing more and...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Care Increasing Most among Those with Less Distress

December 14, 2018
Medical Xpress People most in need of mental health care may not be receiving it, according to a new study....
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Gun Shops Work with Doctors to Prevent Suicide by Firearm

December 14, 2018
NPR Medical providers and firearms experts are teaming up to prevent suicide in Colorado. The Colorado Firearm Safety Coalition is...
Weekly Spark

TEXAS: Texas Doctors Reexamine Their Role in Suicide Prevention among Patients

December 14, 2018
KETR The Texas medical community is encouraging providers to talk with their patients about suicide. Led by the Texas Medical...
Weekly Spark

Revamped Action Alliance Website

December 07, 2018
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance)—the nation’s public-private partnership—has launched a revamped website. We encourage you to check...
Weekly Spark

New Faith.Hope.Life. Campaign Website Presence

December 07, 2018
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) Faith Communities Task Force has developed a new online presence for its Faith.Hope.Life. campaign. The website offers...
Weekly Spark

ICRC-S Webinar: Preventing Suicide through Social Connectedness

December 07, 2018
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on preventing suicide through social connectedness. The presentation will...
Weekly Spark

Suicide among Emergency Medical Technicians Compared to the General Public

December 07, 2018
Research has shown that suicide risk is higher among certain occupational groups, including law enforcement professionals and other public safety...
Weekly Spark

U.S. Life Expectancy Drops amid “Disturbing” Rise in Overdoses and Suicides

December 07, 2018
NPR National data suggest a decline in U.S. life expectancy is partly due to increased suicide and overdose deaths. According...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON: Behavioral Health Navigators Step In Where Police Step Out

December 07, 2018
Kitsap Sun A behavioral health outreach program is now available to every law enforcement agency in Kitsap County. Initially launched...
Weekly Spark

Violence Prevention in Practice

December 07, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a new online resource to help states and communities use best practices...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: On Empathy and Caring

December 07, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention has released a new podcast interview with Lena Heilmann, a suicide...
Weekly Spark

Available Online: NIMH Facebook Live Event

December 07, 2018
The National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) recent Facebook live event on suicide prevention is now available online. NIMH Director Joshua Gordon...
Weekly Spark

Fogarty International Center: Newsletter Focuses on Global Suicide

December 07, 2018
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fogarty International Center (Fogarty) has released its latest Global Health Matters newsletter, which includes a...
Weekly Spark

CDC Releases National Data on Suicide Mortality, 1999–2017

November 30, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a data brief on suicide mortality...
Weekly Spark

Sexual Orientation, Gender, and Attempted Suicide among Adolescent Inpatients

November 30, 2018
A recent study found that female and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) adolescents admitted to an inpatient psychiatric hospital...
Weekly Spark

These Jobs Have Highest Suicide Rates in the United States, According to the CDC

November 30, 2018
CNN According to a new federal report, men who work in construction and extraction have the highest suicide rates of...
Weekly Spark

TENNESSEE: Members Appointed to Farmers Suicide Prevention Task Force

November 30, 2018
Brentwood Home Page A new task force will work to prevent suicide among Tennessee farmers. The task force was formed...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Major Traumatic Injury Increases Risk of Mental Health Diagnoses, Suicide

November 30, 2018
Medical Xpress People who experience major injury are at increased risk for subsequent mental illness and suicide, according to a...
Weekly Spark

Indigenous Lived Experience Project Report

November 30, 2018
The Black Dog Institute and University of Western Australia (UWA) have released an indigenous lived experience project report. It presents insights from Aboriginal...
Weekly Spark

Integrating Suicide Prevention into the SBIRT Model

November 30, 2018
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation (Hilton Foundation) is sponsoring a webinar on integrating suicide prevention into the Adolescent Screening, Brief...
Weekly Spark

2016 NVDRS Data Now Available in WISQARS

November 30, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated its Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS)...
Weekly Spark

Impact of Job Strain and Long Work Hours on Suicidal Ideation

November 16, 2018
Job strain and long work hours may be associated with suicidal ideation among middle-aged U.S. workers. Researchers used data on...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Colorado Launching Suicide Prevention Efforts

November 16, 2018
The Durango Herald Colorado is planning to roll out youth suicide prevention efforts over the next two to three years....
Weekly Spark

MISSOURI: Following Tragedy, St. Louis Hospitals Renew Commitment to Postpartum Mental Health

November 16, 2018
St. Louis Post-Dispatch St. Louis hospitals are making extra efforts to address maternal mental health. Area hospitals are screening women...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: ACT Invests $1.5m in the Black Dog Institute’s Suicide Prevention Trial

November 16, 2018
Third Sector The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) plans to implement a comprehensive suicide prevention approach. In partnership with the Black...
Weekly Spark

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

November 16, 2018
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will host International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day events around the country on November 17....
Weekly Spark

Suicide Rates by Major Occupational Group — 17 States, 2012 and 2015

November 16, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on suicide rates by occupational group. The data are from...
Weekly Spark

Comment on Implementation of Suicide Hotline Improvement Act

November 16, 2018
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public comment on implementation of the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018. Comments are...
Director's Corner

Honoring Indigenous Voices: Suicide Surveillance from a Tribal Perspective

November 09, 2018
November is National Native American Heritage Month—a time to celebrate the many important contributions of indigenous people, including their distinct history,...
Weekly Spark

Generation Z Reported the Most Mental Health Problems, and Gun Violence Is the Biggest Stressor

November 09, 2018
CNN In a national survey, young people reported more mental health issues than those in older generations. The American Psychological...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: Regional Effort Better Equips Officers for Behavioral Health Disorders

November 09, 2018
The MetroWest Daily News Three Massachusetts police departments are launching a jail diversion program for people with mental health issues....
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: UK Appoints Minister for Suicide Prevention

November 09, 2018
The New York Times The UK has appointed a government minister to lead suicide prevention efforts. The first position of...
Weekly Spark

Refreshed Zero Suicide Website

November 09, 2018
SPRC has updated the Zero Suicide website, creating a more simplified navigational experience with stronger search functions. Here are some new...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Report: World Support for Mental Health Care Is “Pitifully Small”

November 02, 2018
NPR A new landmark report calls for greater investment in mental health care worldwide. The report comes from the Lancet...
Weekly Spark

Research Training Institute: Research to Practice for Suicide Prevention

November 02, 2018
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is holding a research training institute on research to practice for suicide prevention....
Weekly Spark

Safety Planning Intervention versus Usual Care

November 02, 2018
Emergency department patients with suicide-related concerns who received a brief intervention with telephone follow-up were less likely to engage in...
Weekly Spark

A New Prescription for Depression: Join a Team and Get Sweaty

November 02, 2018
NPR Research has shown that exercise can help ease the symptoms of some mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety....
Weekly Spark

OHIO: CDC Survey Becomes a Tool in Stark County Suicide Prevention

November 02, 2018
The Repository Health officials in Stark County, Ohio, have released a report on youth suicide. The report includes findings from...
Weekly Spark

Shifting Beliefs about Suicide in the Construction Industry

October 26, 2018
Construction industry workers are at higher risk for suicide than many other occupational groups. This can be partly explained by...
Weekly Spark

Extending Mental Health Help to Vulnerable Kids

October 26, 2018
U.S. News & World Report Efforts are increasing to help support children who have experienced trauma. Some health care facilities...
Weekly Spark,

CALIFORNIA: Nearly 9 in 10 California School Districts Have Adopted Policies Preventing Youth Suicide

October 26, 2018
INTO Nearly 90 percent of California school districts have suicide prevention policies in place, according to a new report from The...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Massive Survey Finds One in Three College Freshmen Struggle with Mental Health—Here Are Four Things You Can Do

October 26, 2018
CNBC A new study suggests many first-year college students have struggled with mental health issues. Researchers surveyed nearly 14,000 freshmen...
Weekly Spark

New Publications on Suicide in U.S. Hospitals

October 26, 2018
The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety has published two articles on suicide in hospital settings. They discuss new data and...
Weekly Spark

Request for Information: Clinical Experience Using Ketamine for Suicide Prevention

October 26, 2018
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released a request for information on current clinical experience using ketamine to prevent suicide....
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Strategic Plan, FY2019 – FY2023

October 26, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released its strategic plan for fiscal years 2019 to 2023. The plan...
Weekly Spark

Crisis Supports for the Autism Community

October 26, 2018
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) has released a toolkit to help support individuals with autism during a crisis. It includes guidance...
Weekly Spark

Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences

October 26, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a new online training to help prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). It...
Weekly Spark

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

October 26, 2018
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is holding National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to collect and safely dispose of unwanted medications. It...
Weekly Spark

Differences between Inmates Who Attempt and Die by Suicide

October 19, 2018
Suicide deaths among inmates are less likely to occur when correctional facility mental health staff are aware of their past...
Weekly Spark

Anxiety Is Expensive: Employee Mental Health Costs Rise Twice as Fast as All Other Medical Expenses

October 19, 2018
CNBC American companies are taking steps to address rising employee mental health costs. According to recent data, employers’ annual mental...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: As Suicide Rates Rise, Colorado Is Fighting to Turn the Tide

October 19, 2018
apolitical Colorado plans to roll out a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy in the first half of 2019. Using data to...
Weekly Spark

UTAH: Better Program Data Needed to Improve Utah Suicide Prevention Efforts, Study Says

October 19, 2018
The Spectrum A recent report offered recommendations to strengthen Utah’s suicide prevention efforts. Prepared by the Utah Foundation, the report...
Weekly Spark

The Intersection of Opioids and Suicide: A Prevention Approach

October 19, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting a webinar on the intersection of suicide and opioid abuse prevention....
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Senior Centers Now Available in Spanish

October 19, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a released a Spanish version of its suicide prevention toolkit for senior...
Weekly Spark

MSRC-STARRS Postdoctoral Fellowship Focusing on Suicide Research

October 19, 2018
The Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC) is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to research suicidal behavior. The fellow will be located at Harvard...
From the Field

Surveillance Success Stories – Centerstone of Tennessee

October 12, 2018
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of its latest Surveillance Success Story, which comes from the state of Tennessee. This...
Weekly Spark

EDC/SPRC Job Opportunity: Prevention Specialist

October 12, 2018
SPRC has an opening for a full-time prevention specialist on the Grantee and State Initiatives Team. The person in this position will...
Weekly Spark

Gun Storage Practices among U.S. Veterans

October 12, 2018
A national study found that one in three U.S. veteran gun owners stores at least one gun loaded and unlocked...
Weekly Spark

Childhood Trauma and its Lifelong Health Effects More Prevalent among Minorities

October 12, 2018
NPR The largest national study of its kind found that some groups are at increased risk of adverse childhood experiences....
Weekly Spark

More than 20,000 Americans a year kill themselves with a gun. Alarmed gun sellers are joining the suicide prevention fight.

October 12, 2018
NBC News Gun industry members across the U.S. are teaming up with public health experts to prevent suicide. Their collaboration...
Weekly Spark

IDAHO: While Suicide Rates Rise in Idaho and the Mountain West, Health Care Professionals and Grassroots Organizations Grapple with the Causes and Effects

October 12, 2018
Magic Valley Idaho is taking a comprehensive approach to addressing its increased suicide rates. The state strategic plan includes a...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Awards $61.1 Million in Suicide Prevention Funding

October 12, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $61.1 million in suicide prevention funding. Recipients include the National...
Weekly Spark

Ensuring an Effective Response to All in Psychiatric Emergency Equal to Medical Care

October 12, 2018
The National Health Service Clinical Commissioners (NHSCC) and RI International have released a report on urgent and emergency psychiatric health care. It includes 10...
Weekly Spark

National Violent Death Reporting System, 27 States, 2015

October 12, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report summarizing 2015 data on violent deaths from 27 U.S. states....
Weekly Spark

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act 10th Anniversary

October 12, 2018
ParityTrack is marking the 10th anniversary of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). Its website provides information on the law...
Weekly Spark

VA National Suicide Data Report, 2005–2016

October 05, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released its national suicide data report for 2005 to 2016. The report includes national-...
Director's Corner

Addressing Suicide among Black Americans

October 05, 2018
Our national conversation about suicide prevention has included a recent focus on the increased risk of suicide among Black children...
Weekly Spark

Drug Overdoses, Suicides Push Life Expectancy in U.S. behind Other Developed Nations

October 05, 2018
The Washington Times Drug overdose and suicide deaths are contributing to a decrease in the nation’s life expectancy. A new...
Weekly Spark

ARIZONA: Rise in Inmate Suicides, Attempts, at Pima County Jail Tied to Opioid Epidemic

October 05, 2018
Arizona Daily Star Arizona’s Pima County Jail is working to prevent suicide among inmates at risk. A recent report assessed...
Weekly Spark,

AUSTRALIA: Victorian Hospital Outreach Post-suicidal Engagement Expands to Include Wimmera

October 05, 2018
The Stawell Times-News A program for suicide attempt survivors is expanding across the Australian state of Victoria. The Hospital Outreach...
Weekly Spark

International Association for Suicide Prevention 30th World Congress

October 05, 2018
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) is hosting its 30th World Congress from September 17 to 21, 2019. It will take...
Weekly Spark

Causes of Death after Nonfatal Opioid Overdose

September 28, 2018
People who experience a nonfatal opioid overdose are at high risk for premature mortality in the following year, and are at...
Weekly Spark

Soldiers Who Attempt Suicide Often Have No History of Mental Health Issues

September 28, 2018
Reuters New research suggests more than one-third of U.S. Army soldiers who attempt suicide have never received a mental health...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: A Risky Business—Examining Suicide in Construction

September 28, 2018
Colorado Builder According to the most recent data available from the Colorado Department of Health, construction workers have the highest...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: OPP Announces Review, Enhancement to Mental Health Strategy Following Member Suicides

September 28, 2018
Global News The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) plans to review and improve the mental health support it provides to staff....
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Assessing Workforce Readiness to Provide Comprehensive Suicide Care

September 28, 2018
SPRC’s webinar on assessing workforce readiness to provide comprehensive suicide care is now available online. It features leaders of three health care...
Weekly Spark

Expert Commentary: Stepping up Suicide Prevention

September 28, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Medscape have released an expert commentary on suicide prevention. It features Alex Crosby, a...
Weekly Spark

Health, United States, 2017

September 28, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released its 2017 annual report on...
Weekly Spark

Call for Applications: Youth Mental Health

September 28, 2018
The National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) is accepting applications for a two-year learning opportunity aimed at engaging youth to reduce...
Weekly Spark

Sexual or Gender Minority Status and Suicide Attempts among Veterans Seeking Treatment for Military Sexual Trauma

September 21, 2018
Veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma and who identify as sexual or gender minorities are at increased risk for...
Weekly Spark

Panel: Doctors Should Focus on Preventing Depression in Pregnant Women, New Moms

September 21, 2018
NPR New draft recommendations aim to prevent depression among pregnant women and new mothers. In 2016, the U.S. Preventive Services...
Weekly Spark

MISSOURI: Donated School Books to Focus on Feelings

September 21, 2018
The Joplin Globe A Missouri school district is teaching young students coping skills to help protect them from suicide risk....
Weekly Spark

CANADA: New Suicide Prevention Project Targets High-Risk Nunavut Residents

September 21, 2018
Nunatsiaq News A new project aims to prevent repeat suicide attempts in Canada’s Nunavut territory. The project will provide follow-up...
Weekly Spark

2017 NSDUH National Annual Report

September 21, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released its 2017 annual national report from the National Survey on Drug...
Weekly Spark

Assisting the School in Responding to a Suicide Death: What Every Psychiatrist Should Know

September 21, 2018
Julie Goldstein Grumet, SPRC’s director of Health and Behavioral Health Initiatives, has coauthored “Assisting the School in Responding to a...
Weekly Spark

Podcast Interview: Preventing Suicide on Campus

September 21, 2018
Education Development Center (EDC) has released a podcast interview with Bonnie Lipton, senior prevention specialist at SPRC. In the interview, she discusses...
Weekly Spark

Interview: Talking to Teens about Suicide

September 21, 2018
Education Development Center (EDC) has released an interview with Kerri Nickerson, director of Grantee and State Initiatives at SPRC. In the interview,...
Weekly Spark

CDC’s National Violent Death Reporting System Now Includes All 50 States

September 21, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced new state grants for the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). NVDRS...
Weekly Spark

Public Perception Data Released

September 14, 2018
A new national survey has found that the majority of Americans believe suicide is preventable and would take action to help someone...
Weekly Spark

Assessing Workforce Readiness to Provide Comprehensive Suicide Care

September 14, 2018
SPRC is hosting a webinar on assessing workforce readiness to provide comprehensive suicide care. It will feature leaders of three health care...
Weekly Spark

Survivors of Suicide Attempts

September 14, 2018
New findings suggest that an eight-week support group, Survivors of Suicide Attempts (SOSA), may help decrease suicidal symptoms and increase...
Weekly Spark

Suicide by Opioid: New Research Suggests Overdoses Should Be Classified as Self-Harm

September 14, 2018
Kaiser Health News A new report suggests drug overdose deaths should be classified as self-injury. In current practice, opioid and...
Weekly Spark

PENNSYLVANIA: Making Schools Safer: Trained Security, Attention to Mental Health among Top Recommendations

September 14, 2018
PennLive A state task force has issued recommendations for improving school safety in Pennsylvania. A just-released report contains 32 recommendations...
Weekly Spark

SCOTLAND: Pharmacists to Receive “Mandatory” Suicide Prevention Training

September 14, 2018
Chemist+Druggist Pharmacists in Scotland are required to receive suicide prevention training within the next 10 months. In a plan released...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Blog Post: Preventing Suicide in Tribal Communities

September 14, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a blog post on preventing suicide in tribal communities. The post...
Weekly Spark

Opioid Abuse Prevention: Strategies for Staying Ahead of the Trends

September 14, 2018
Education Development Center (EDC) is hosting a webinar on opioid abuse prevention. Presenters will discuss strategies that have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing...
Weekly Spark

Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Contest

September 14, 2018
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is accepting submissions for the Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Contest. The purpose of...
Weekly Spark

Podcast Episode: Public Health Approaches to Suicide Prevention

September 14, 2018
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has released a podcast episode on public health approaches to suicide prevention. It...
Director's Corner

Speaking with One Voice for Suicide Prevention

September 07, 2018
It’s September, and that means we’re all marking Suicide Prevention Day/Week/Month—my 11th annual observance since joining SPRC in September 2007....
Weekly Spark

Struggling to Cope? An Online “Mental Health Peer” Can Lend Support

September 07, 2018
NBC News Some people with mental health issues are turning to peers for support. Mental health peers provide interpersonal support...
Weekly Spark

ILLINOIS: Teens Are Anxious and Depressed, and Turning to the School Nurse for Help. But Most Illinois Schools Don’t Have One.

September 07, 2018
Chicago Tribune The role of Illinois school nurses has expanded to help meet the mental health needs of students. In...
Weekly Spark

DENMARK: Traumatic Brain Injury Tied to Increased Risk of Suicide

September 07, 2018
Reuters Traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be associated with increased suicide risk, according to a recent study. Researchers looked at...
Weekly Spark

Chickasaw Nation Honored for Zero Suicide Implementation Efforts

September 07, 2018
The Chickasaw Nation Departments of Family Services and Health will receive a 2018 National Impact Award from the National Indian Health Board for their implementation...
Weekly Spark

A Young Person's Guide for Communicating Safely Online about Suicide

September 07, 2018
Orygen, Australia’s National Center of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, has released guidelines to help young people communicate safely online about suicide....
Weekly Spark

NIMH Facebook Live Event

September 07, 2018
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a Facebook live event on suicide prevention. NIMH Director Joshua Gordon and Jane...
Weekly Spark

College Counseling from a Distance

September 07, 2018
The Higher Education Mental Health Alliance (HEMHA) has released a guide for deciding whether and when college students should engage in telemental...
Weekly Spark

Behavioral Health Resources for First Responders

September 07, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released new behavioral health resources for first responders. These resources include...
Weekly Spark

Cultural and Population Sensitivity in Disaster Behavioral Health Programs

September 07, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) has released a special newsletter issue focused on...
Weekly Spark

National Physician Suicide Awareness Day

August 24, 2018
The Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD), in collaboration with other medical organizations, will launch the first National Physician Suicide...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Resources for Schools

August 24, 2018
As students and teachers head back to school, help put suicide prevention on the agenda for the new academic year by...
Weekly Spark

Action Alliance #BeThere Messaging Effort during National Suicide Prevention Week/Month

August 24, 2018
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and its partners are again uniting for National Suicide Prevention Week during...
Weekly Spark

National Weekend of Prayer for Faith, Hope, & Life

August 24, 2018
As part of the Action Alliance’s #BeThere efforts in September, the Faith Communities Task Force is hosting a second annual National Weekend...
Weekly Spark

Characteristics of Crisis Line Users Who Died by Suicide

August 24, 2018
Among Northern Ireland’s crisis line users, receiving check-in calls and using the service for a longer duration may lower the...
Weekly Spark

Six Ways to Help Someone Who Lost a Loved One to Suicide

August 24, 2018
Health People who have lost a loved one to suicide can experience an intense form of grief. Experts recommend the...
Weekly Spark

Trump Signs Law Giving Suicide Lifeline a Makeover

August 24, 2018
Washington Examiner A new law aims to upgrade the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act requires...
Weekly Spark

Autism Can Mask the Warning Signs of Suicide

August 24, 2018
The Atlantic Efforts are increasing to better understand and address suicide risk among people with autism. Some findings suggest that...
Weekly Spark

Creating Supportive Systems to Improve Mental Health Outcomes for African American Boys

August 24, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting a virtual roundtable on creating supportive systems to improve mental health...
Weekly Spark

VA Advanced Fellowship Program in Veteran Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

August 24, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention (CoE) and University of Rochester Center for...
Weekly Spark

Parent and Caregiver Webinar

August 24, 2018
The SRF Suicide Prevention Research and Training Project at Monmouth University is hosting a webinar for parents and caregivers of children at risk for...
Weekly Spark

Using Electronic Health Records to Predict Suicide Attempts and Deaths in Outpatient Care

August 17, 2018
Electronic health record data, combined with responses to self-report questionnaires, may be able to predict risk of suicide attempt and...
Weekly Spark

10 Things Suicide Attempt Survivors Want You to Know

August 17, 2018
Health Suicide attempt survivors are sharing their unique insights to spread empathy for those who are struggling. They recommend talking...
Weekly Spark

“Like a Busy Emergency Room”: Calls to Suicide Crisis Centers Double Since 2014

August 17, 2018
USA Today Calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline doubled between 2014 and 2017. The federally funded crisis hotline includes...
Weekly Spark

FLORIDA: Florida Keys Cope with Suicide Spike after Hurricane Irma

August 17, 2018
WLRN Following Hurricane Irma, the Florida Keys have seen an increase in suicide rates. While the region had a higher...
Weekly Spark

Honoring Health Newsletter: Suicide Prevention Resources for Native Populations

August 17, 2018
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released the latest issue of its Honoring Health newsletter, which features suicide prevention resources for...
Weekly Spark

CDC Technical Packages Now Available in Spanish

August 17, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released Spanish versions of its technical packages for suicide and youth violence prevention....
Weekly Spark

Garrett Lee Smith National Outcomes Evaluation

August 10, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released its 2017 national outcomes evaluation of the Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide...
Director's Corner

Help the Helpers: Taking Time for Self-Care

August 10, 2018
I often reflect on how fortunate we are, in suicide prevention and related fields, to work with such compassionate people,...
Weekly Spark

How to Talk About Your Mental Health When No One Wants To Listen

August 10, 2018
HuffPost People from racial and ethnic minority groups are less likely to receive mental health care than the rest of...
Weekly Spark

MISSOURI: Children's Mercy Hospital Now Adding Suicide Prevention Questions to Check-Ups

August 10, 2018
KMBC 9 News Children’s Mercy Hospital in Missouri is screening its patients for suicide risk. The Kansas City medical center...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Longmont Library Launches Well-Being Bags to Spark Conversations about Mental Health

August 10, 2018
Daily Camera News A Colorado library is offering a new resource to help patrons talk about mental health. The Longmont...
Weekly Spark

Virtual Learning Lab: State Suicide Prevention

August 03, 2018
Want to build strategic partnerships to improve your state or community’s suicide prevention efforts? Our Virtual Learning Lab: State Suicide Prevention can...
Weekly Spark

Firearms Storage in Homes with Children at Risk for Self-Harm

August 03, 2018
A national study found that about one-third of homes with children and firearms follow safe storage practices recommended by the...
Weekly Spark

Teen Suicide Risk May Be Lower With Intense Team-Based Therapy

August 03, 2018
Reuters An intensive therapy may effectively reduce teen suicide risk, a new study suggests. Adolescents with a history of self-harm,...
Weekly Spark

NORTH DAKOTA: Law Enforcement Agencies Use New Tool to Prevent Officer Suicide

August 03, 2018
Grand Forks Herald Law enforcement agencies in North Dakota are using a new interactive tool to help prevent officer suicide....
Weekly Spark

RHODE ISLAND: Rhode Island Law Aims to Prevent Suicides at Public Colleges

August 03, 2018
AP News A new law in Rhode Island aims to prevent suicide among college students. Recently signed by the governor,...
Weekly Spark

The Intersection of Opioid Abuse, Overdose, and Suicide: The Role of Chronic Pain

August 03, 2018
This webinar from SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT) and SPRC is now available online. It is the...
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Bullying: Preventing Suicide through Collaborative Upstream Interventions

August 03, 2018
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) webinar on suicide and bullying is now available online. The presentation explores risk...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Awardees

August 03, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced the awardees of its Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant program...
Weekly Spark

American Association of Suicidology Annual Conference Call for Papers

August 03, 2018
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) has issued a call for papers for its next annual conference. Submissions are due October 31....
Weekly Spark

Crisis Center Messaging Webinar

August 03, 2018
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) is hosting a webinar on crisis center messaging. The Lifeline team will facilitate a round table...
Weekly Spark

Active Minds Healthy Campus Award Key Findings

August 03, 2018
Active Minds has released key findings from the seven colleges and universities that received a Healthy Campus Award in 2018. The award recognizes colleges and...
Weekly Spark

Two States Are Making Teachers Talk about Mental Health. Could This Be a Model?

July 27, 2018
NBC Washington New York and Virginia are the first states to require mental health education in public schools. Effective July...
Weekly Spark

MINNESOTA: New Tool Helps Identify Patients' Suicide Risk

July 27, 2018
Star Tribune Research suggests that a new tool for predicting patient suicide risk may be effective. Using the medical records...
Weekly Spark

IRELAND: Extra Suicide Prevention Training Planned for Teachers

July 27, 2018
The Irish Times Ireland is rolling out suicide prevention training to secondary school teachers. Starting this year, two staff members...
Weekly Spark

Survey on Workplace Suicide Prevention

July 27, 2018
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance), and United Suicide Survivors International...
Weekly Spark

Comprehensive Suicide Prevention – It’s More than a Mental Health Concern

July 27, 2018
The Safe States Alliance (Safe States) is hosting a webinar on comprehensive suicide prevention. Presenters will discuss recent data from the Centers for Disease...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Voice Awards

July 27, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting its annual Voice Awards to honor people in recovery...
Weekly Spark

RISING SUN Toolkit

July 27, 2018
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has released the RISING SUN toolkit to help measure the effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts...
Weekly Spark

EDC/SPRC/Action Alliance Job Opportunity: Senior Administrative Assistant

July 20, 2018
Education Development Center’s (EDC) Suicide, Violence, and Injury Prevention Portfolio has an opening for a full-time senior administrative assistant in Washington, D.C. The person...
Weekly Spark

EDC/SPRC/Action Alliance Job Opportunity: Program Associate

July 20, 2018
SPRC has an opening for a full-time program associate. The person in this position will provide project management and programmatic support...
Weekly Spark

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury among U.S. Adolescents

July 20, 2018
A study of high school students in 11 U.S. states found that nearly 18% had engaged in at least one...
Weekly Spark

A Simple Emergency Room Intervention Can Help Cut Suicide Risk

July 20, 2018
NPR New research suggests that a brief emergency department (ED) intervention can help reduce patient suicide risk. Carried out by...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Colorado Is Leading the Country in Suicide Prevention Work

July 20, 2018
Westword Colorado is using a comprehensive approach to reduce its suicide rates. The Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention helps fund...
Weekly Spark

GUYANA: Trying To Stop Suicide: Guyana Aims To Bring Down Its High Rate

July 20, 2018
NPR Guyana is working to reduce its suicide rate, which is among the highest in the world. In 2014, the...
Weekly Spark

State-Level Veteran Suicide Data: 2015 Update

July 20, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released updated state-level data on veteran suicide and the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide,...
Weekly Spark

Gun Safety Matters Challenge

July 20, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the winners of its Gun Safety Matters Challenge. The purpose of the...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Suicide Prevention and the Collaborative Care Model

July 20, 2018
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Office for Research on Disparities and Global Mental Health (ORDGMH) is hosting a webinar on...
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Substance Use Disorders in the Zero Suicide Framework

July 20, 2018
SPRC’s recent webinar on substance use disorders in the Zero Suicide framework is now available online. It highlights innovative ways that health...
Weekly Spark

Developing and Delivering Effective Suicide Prevention Messaging: We All Play a Role!

July 13, 2018
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is hosting a webinar on suicide prevention messaging. Presenters will highlight the Action...
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Bullying: Preventing Suicide through Collaborative Upstream Interventions

July 13, 2018
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on the relationship between suicide and bullying. The presentation...
Director's Corner

More than Mental Health: Reaching Men at Risk for Suicide

July 13, 2018
Amid all the news coverage about suicide in the past few weeks, you may have noticed a surprising new statistic from the...
Weekly Spark

What Educators Need to Know About Suicide: Contagion, Complicated Grief, and Supportive Conversations

July 13, 2018
Education Week Prevention experts are helping to empower educators to address suicide in schools. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention...
Weekly Spark

VA Reveals Its Veteran Suicide Statistic Included Active Duty Troops

July 13, 2018
Stars and Stripes Federal data on the average daily number of veteran suicide deaths includes active duty service members, not...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Suicide Prevention Spikes Will Be Installed on Coronado Bridge, Where More than 400 Have Taken Their Lives

July 13, 2018
Los Angeles Times The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is taking new measures to prevent suicide at the San Diego-Coronado...
Weekly Spark

Guide for Emergency Department Providers on Caring for Suicide Attempt Survivors

July 13, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a brochure for emergency department providers on enhancing treatment for patients...
Weekly Spark

Guide for Suicide Attempt Survivors after Treatment in the Emergency Department

July 13, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a brochure for people who have received emergency department treatment for...
Weekly Spark

Guide for Taking Care of a Family Member after Emergency Department Treatment for an Attempt

July 13, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a brochure on caring for a family member after a suicide...
Weekly Spark

National Recovery Month

July 13, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is holding its annual Recovery Month in September to increase awareness of mental...
Weekly Spark

Substance Use Disorders in the Zero Suicide Framework

June 29, 2018
SPRC is hosting a webinar on substance use disorders in the Zero Suicide framework. It will highlight innovative ways health and behavioral...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Risk among Pacific Islander, American Indian, and Multiracial Youth

June 29, 2018
A national study found that Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (NHPI), American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), and multiracial adolescents have...
Weekly Spark

What to Do When a Loved One Is Severely Depressed

June 29, 2018
The New York Times Mental health experts have tips for helping loved ones struggling with severe depression. They recommend showing...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: San Diego County Expands Suicide Prevention Plan

June 29, 2018
CBS 8 San Diego County has announced that it will expand its suicide prevention efforts. Based on data from community...
Weekly Spark

PUERTO RICO: Puerto Rico Ramps Up Mental Health Training

June 29, 2018
NPR Following Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico is working to address its increased rates of suicide and mental health issues. The...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Job Opening: Project Associate

June 29, 2018
SPRC has an opening for a full-time project associate to serve on the Health and Behavioral Health Initiatives team in Waltham, Mass.,...
Weekly Spark

The Intersection of Opioid Abuse, Overdose, and Suicide: Understanding the Connections

June 29, 2018
This webinar from SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT) and SPRC is now available online. It is the...
Weekly Spark

Understanding the Relationship between Traumatic Brain Injury and Suicide

June 29, 2018
This webinar from the Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is now available online. It explores the relationship between...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: AAS Lived Experience

June 29, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention has released podcast interviews with lived experience experts recorded...
Weekly Spark

World Suicide Prevention Day

June 29, 2018
The International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP) has released materials for World Suicide Prevention Day, including a brochure and toolkit. The observance will take...
Weekly Spark

Indian Education—Demonstration Grants for Indian Children

June 29, 2018
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office of Indian Education (OIE) is accepting applications for the Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs—Demonstration Grants...
Weekly Spark

The Patient Safety Screener (PSS-3): A Brief Tool to Detect Suicide Risk in Acute Care Settings

June 22, 2018
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of our new video, The Patient Safety Screener (PSS-3): A Brief Tool to Detect...
Weekly Spark

Veteran Suicide Data: 2015 Update

June 22, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released a report on its most recent analysis of veteran suicide data for all...
Weekly Spark

Safety Measures to Prevent Railway Suicides and Trespassing Accidents

June 22, 2018
A systematic review of the literature on railway suicides and trespassing accidents found that despite more than 35 years of...
Weekly Spark

Women's Suicide Rates Are Increasing Faster Than Men's. We Asked Experts Why

June 22, 2018
Health National data suggest that the suicide rate is rising faster among women than men. A recent report from the...
Weekly Spark

ALASKA: Research Highlights Northwest Alaska's Suicide Prevention Work

June 22, 2018
The Arctic Sounder A recent research article highlights the suicide prevention efforts of indigenous communities in Northwest Alaska. The region...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Fact Sheets

June 22, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released two-page fact sheets on suicide prevention and addressing the challenges of opioid...
Weekly Spark

NCHS Data Brief on U.S. Suicide Rates, 2000 to 2016

June 22, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a data brief on age-adjusted national...
Weekly Spark

CDC QuickStats: Homicide and Suicide Death Rates

June 22, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released national data on homicide and suicide death rates among people ages 15...
Weekly Spark

American Medical Association Policy on Suicide Awareness

June 22, 2018
The American Medical Association (AMA) has adopted a policy aimed at increasing awareness of suicide risk among the public, medical students, and...
Weekly Spark

The Intersection of Opioid Abuse, Overdose, and Suicide: The Role of Chronic Pain

June 15, 2018
SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT) and SPRC are co-hosting a webinar that will explore the relationship of chronic...
Weekly Spark

Suicide-Related Conversations on Instagram

June 15, 2018
Research suggests that suicide-related Instagram posts may not be adhering to best practices for preventing contagion (i.e., suicide risk associated...
Weekly Spark

Why Mental Health Advocates Use the Words “Died by Suicide”

June 15, 2018
NBC News As the country grapples with recent high-profile suicide deaths, prevention experts emphasize that suicide is complex. They recommend...
Weekly Spark

CDC: U.S. Suicide Rates Have Climbed Dramatically

June 15, 2018
NPR New findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shed light on U.S. state-level suicide trends. Data...
Weekly Spark

UTAH: The Role Faith Leaders Can Play in Preventing and Responding to Suicide

June 15, 2018
Deseret News Utah faith leaders are joining forces with political officials, public health experts, and mental health advocates to help...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: Never Worry Alone

June 15, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention has released a new podcast interview with Bridget Matarazzo, MIRECC Director...
Weekly Spark

CDC Vital Signs: Suicide Rising across the U.S.

June 08, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new data on state trends in suicide rates in the June...
Weekly Spark

Understanding the Relationship between Traumatic Brain Injury and Suicide

June 08, 2018
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on the relationship between traumatic brain injury and suicide....
Director's Corner

13 Reasons Why: An Opportunity for Prevention

June 08, 2018
Last year, the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why made quite an impact. Teens and young adults were mesmerized by a show that...
Weekly Spark

Age-Related Racial Disparities in Suicide Rates among Youth Ages 5 to 17 Years

June 08, 2018
EurekAlert! New findings suggest that racial differences in suicide rates among U.S. youth may be age-related. Using national data from...
Weekly Spark

PENNSYLVANIA: Teens Push for Better Services, Culture Surrounding Mental Health in Philly Schools

June 08, 2018
WHYY Philadelphia high school students are lobbying for more mental health services in their school district. The organizing group, Youth...
Weekly Spark

CDC Data Brief: Mental Health-Related Physician Office Visits

June 08, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a data brief on mental health-related physician office visits by adults 18...
Weekly Spark

Request for Information on Health Innovations for Suicide Prevention

June 08, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Compassionate Care Innovation (CCI) has released a request for information on health care...
Weekly Spark

Method to Identify Undetected Drug Suicides Wins NIDA Award

June 08, 2018
The 2018 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair awarded first-place distinction to a bioinformatics program designed to identify underreported suicides linked to...
Weekly Spark

The Role of Firearms in Rural-Urban Differences in Suicide in Maryland

June 01, 2018
A recent study found that Maryland’s rural-urban differences in suicide rates may be attributable to higher firearm suicide rates in...
Weekly Spark

Kids’ Suicide-Related Hospital Visits Rise Sharply

June 01, 2018
The New York Times New findings suggest that suicide-related hospital visits have risen among young people in the U.S. Using...
Weekly Spark

MONTANA: Governor Bullock Announces New Statewide Suicide Prevention Tool

June 01, 2018
Char-Koosta News Montana State University recently received a grant to evaluate an online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tool across the...
Weekly Spark

MICHIGAN: Inside West Bloomfield School’s Attempt to Combat Suicide, Help Students Cope

June 01, 2018
Detroit Free Press After several student suicide deaths, West Bloomfield High School decided to take a different approach to helping...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Training Grants

June 01, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for the Mental Health Awareness Training Grant Program. The...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Peer Specialist and Police Partnerships

June 01, 2018
The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) is hosting a webinar on peer specialist and police partnerships to prevent...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Enhancing Recovery through Lived Experience

June 01, 2018
The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) is hosting a webinar on enhancing recovery through lived experience. It will...
Weekly Spark

Frequency of Prescription Opioid Abuse and Suicide Risk

May 25, 2018
National data indicate that abuse of prescription opioids weekly or more is associated with risk of suicidal ideation, and suicide...
Weekly Spark

Gaps Remain in U.S. State Policies on Suicide Prevention Training

May 25, 2018
Reuters A recent study found that most U.S. states do not require suicide prevention training for health care professionals, and...
Weekly Spark

VIRGINIA: These Teens Saw How Poor Mental Health Hurt Their Peers. So They Got a Law Passed.

May 25, 2018
The Washington Post Virginia has passed a law requiring mental health education for ninth and tenth graders. Under the new...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: More Workers Ask for Mental Health Help

May 25, 2018
BBC News UK employees are reporting more mental health issues in the workplace, a recent survey suggests. The Institute of...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: SPRC’s Effective Suicide Prevention Model

May 25, 2018
The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (NCFRP) is hosting a webinar on SPRC’s Effective Suicide Prevention Model. Presenter Julie Ebin,...
Weekly Spark

Active Minds 2018 Healthy Campus Awardees

May 25, 2018
Active Minds has announced the winners of its 2018 Healthy Campus Award. The award recognizes colleges and universities that are leaders in...
Weekly Spark

13 Reasons Why Resources

May 18, 2018
Since the second season of Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why comes out on May 18, we would like to remind you about our list of...
Director's Corner

Recommended Standard Care for People with Suicide Risk: A Critical Step Forward

May 18, 2018
People who are in distress or experiencing a suicidal crisis should be able to walk into any health care setting...
Weekly Spark

Five Ways You’re Shaming Mental Illness and May Not Know It

May 18, 2018
HuffPost Language that negatively stereotypes or makes light of mental illness can be harmful to those who experience it. Experts...
Weekly Spark

UTAH: Utah Lt. Gov. Hopes Ceremonial Signing of Eight Mental Health-Related Bills Spurs Conversations in Families

May 18, 2018
Deseret News Utah has passed eight bills in 2018 to promote mental health and prevent suicide across the state. The...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: Court Says Schools Can Be Liable for Suicides but Clears MIT

May 18, 2018
AP News The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that colleges and universities have a legal duty to protect students...
Weekly Spark

Treatment Works for Vets

May 18, 2018
Education Development Center (EDC) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention have launched TreatmentWorksForVets. This public...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: Treatment Works for Vets

May 18, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention has released a new podcast interview with Brad Karlin, Education Development...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grants

May 18, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grant...
Weekly Spark

County-Level Trends in Suicide Rates

May 18, 2018
The American Journal of Preventive Medicine (AJPM) has published research on county-level trends in suicide rates from 2005 to 2015. The study...
Weekly Spark

CDC Funding Opportunity: Occupational Safety and Health Research Grants

May 18, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a funding opportunity announcement for occupational safety and health research grants. The...
Weekly Spark

NIH Funding Opportunity: Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Pilot and Feasibility Studies

May 18, 2018
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a funding opportunity announcement for pilot and feasibility studies in preparation for drug and...
Weekly Spark

The Intersection of Opioid Abuse, Overdose, and Suicide: Understanding the Connections

May 11, 2018
SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT) and SPRC are co-hosting a webinar that will explore the connections between opioid...
Weekly Spark

Many Opioid Overdoses May Be Suicides

May 11, 2018
HealthDay News Many opioid overdose deaths may actually be suicides, according to the authors of a recent New England Journal of...
Weekly Spark

MINNESOTA: Police Calls Involving Mental Health Have Doubled. St. Paul Now Devotes a Unit to Them

May 11, 2018
Pioneer Press The St. Paul Police Department has launched a new unit to help support people with mental health issues....
Weekly Spark

MONTANA: Bozeman Pediatrics Offering Trigger Locks for Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative

May 11, 2018
MTN News A medical group in Montana will provide trigger locks to young patients and their families. Bozeman Health Pediatrics...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Tribal Behavioral Health Grant Program

May 11, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for the Tribal Behavioral Health Grant Program. The purpose...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Grant Program

May 11, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Grant...
Weekly Spark

All of Us Research Program National Launch

May 11, 2018
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched enrollment for the All of Us research program. The program aims to build a...
Weekly Spark

Symposium on Academic Resilience in Higher Education

May 11, 2018
The Resilience Consortium is accepting proposals for its inaugural Symposium on Academic Resilience in Higher Education. The symposium will provide the opportunity for...
Weekly Spark

Suicide among Mothers of Children Taken into Care by Child Protection Services

May 04, 2018
Mothers who have had a child taken into custody by Canada’s child protection services (CPS) are at increased risk for...
Weekly Spark

Predictive Analytics Pointing VA to Veterans at Risk of Suicide

May 04, 2018
Federal News Radio Preliminary data suggest that a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suicide prevention program may be having some...
Weekly Spark

ALASKA: Alaska Native Youth Find Strength, Resilience in Ancient Traditions

May 04, 2018
The Voice of America Researchers have developed a culturally based tool for promoting mental health and preventing suicide among Alaska...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Young Victims of Cyberbullying Twice as Likely to Attempt Suicide and Self-Harm

May 04, 2018
EurekAlert! According to a recent study, youth victims of cyberbullying are at increased risk for self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Researchers...
Weekly Spark

Promoting Firearms Safety among Veterans at Risk of Suicide

May 04, 2018
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) is hosting a webinar on firearms safety among veterans...
Weekly Spark

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

May 04, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will hold National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on May 10. The theme...
Weekly Spark

New Research Findings on Collaborative Care

May 04, 2018
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has published a blog post highlighting new...
Weekly Spark

School Connectedness and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

April 27, 2018
The role of school connectedness in protecting youth from suicidal thoughts and behaviors is well-documented, but research on this topic...
Weekly Spark

More Officers and Firefighters Died of Suicide than Line-of-Duty Deaths in 2017

April 27, 2018
USA Today Findings from a recent study suggest that police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide...
Weekly Spark

IOWA: Governor Signs Mental Health, Suicide Prevention Bills

April 27, 2018
The Courier Iowa has enacted two new laws that aim to address mental health issues and suicide across the state....
Weekly Spark

MONTANA: Arlee’s “Warrior Movement” Brings Suicide Prevention to Great Falls

April 27, 2018
Great Falls Tribune A high school basketball team from Montana’s Flathead Reservation has brought the issue of suicide prevention to...
Weekly Spark

Crisis Now Website Launch

April 27, 2018
The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) has launched the Crisis Now website to help communities optimize their mental...
Weekly Spark

Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts among Utah Students

April 27, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released 2015 data on suicidal ideation and behaviors among Utah students in grades...
Weekly Spark

HHS Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Action Plan

April 27, 2018
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released an action plan for enhanced enforcement of mental health and substance...
Weekly Spark

After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools, Second Edition

April 20, 2018
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of the second edition of After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools. Developed in...
Weekly Spark

Recommended Standard Care for People with Suicide Risk

April 20, 2018
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has released a new report, Recommended Standard Care for People with Suicide...
Weekly Spark

Classifying Drug Intoxication Deaths as Suicides

April 20, 2018
Compared to deaths by overtly violent methods, such as gunshot or hanging, drug intoxication deaths are more likely to be...
Weekly Spark

Using Chosen Names Reduces Odds of Depression and Suicide in Transgender Youths

April 20, 2018
EurekAlert! A recent study found that transgender youth who were able to use their chosen names in multiple contexts had...
Weekly Spark

INDIANA: Instead of Jailing Those with Mental Illness, Here's What Indianapolis Is Doing

April 20, 2018
Indianapolis Star In August, Indianapolis launched a Mobile Crisis Assistance Team (MCAT) to respond to mental health-related emergencies. Made up...
Weekly Spark

Age-Adjusted Suicide Rates by Race/Ethnicity — National Vital Statistics System, 2015–2016

April 20, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released data on suicide rates by race/ethnicity. From 2015 to 2016, the age-adjusted...
Weekly Spark

Timeliness of Death Certificate Data for Suicides

April 20, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on the timeliness of death certificate data for suicides. It...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Suicide in the LGBT Community

April 20, 2018
The National LGBT Health Education Center (Education Center) is hosting a webinar on suicide in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: Suicide Prevention Master Series with Dr. Jerry Reed

April 13, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention has released a new podcast interview with Jerry Reed, Education Development...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Risk after Intentional Self-Harm in Adolescents and Young Adults

April 13, 2018
Adolescents and young adults treated for nonfatal self-harm are at increased risk for suicide death. In this high-risk group, American...
Weekly Spark

PUERTO RICO: ‘I Sit and Cry All Day’: Suicide Hotline Calls Double in Puerto Rico Six Months after Hurricane Maria

April 13, 2018
USA Today Six months after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico residents are struggling with their mental health. Between August and January,...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: Stopping School Shootings Before They Start: Mental Health Experts Push for Preventive Measures

April 13, 2018
The Berkshire Eagle Massachusetts schools are working to stop gun violence before it starts. Using the social and emotional learning...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center

April 13, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched the Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center. The new center aims to...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Assertive Community Treatment Grants

April 13, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for Assertive Community Treatment grants. The grants aim to...
Weekly Spark

Military Suicide Research Consortium Letters of Intent

April 13, 2018
The Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC) is accepting letters of intent for clinical and non-clinical research studies. Submissions are due April 23....
Weekly Spark

Suicide Deaths among U.S. Veterans and Armed Forces in 16 States

April 13, 2018
The Safe States Alliance (Safe States) has released a special report on suicide deaths among veterans and the armed forces. The report...
Weekly Spark

Pain in the Nation Web Forum

April 13, 2018
Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and Well Being Trust (WBT) are co-hosting a web forum to discuss their recent report on drug, alcohol, and...
Director's Corner

Getting Comprehensive in Our Suicide Prevention Efforts

April 06, 2018
In my work with states, tribes, campuses, and institutions around the country, I’m often asked, “What program should I use...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON: “Hope” Springs Eternal in Hoquiam School District

April 06, 2018
The Daily World The Hoquiam School District in Washington State has launched a Hope Squad—a peer support program that aims...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: City of Palo Alto to Install Suicide Prevention Cameras

April 06, 2018
KTVU In an effort to prevent suicide, the city of Palo Alto is installing security cameras at its commuter rail...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Sexual Orientation Top Risk for Suicidal Thoughts in College Freshmen

April 06, 2018
Reuters A recent study of college students in eight countries found that those with non-heterosexual identity or feelings were at...
Weekly Spark

Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior in 33 Metropolitan Statistical Areas Update: 2013 to 2015

April 06, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) has released a short...
Weekly Spark

Hubs Help Native American Communities Address Youth Suicide

April 06, 2018
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has established three collaborative research hubs to explore the factors associated with suicide among American...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: Suicide and Chronic Pain

April 06, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention has released a new podcast interview on suicide and chronic pain....
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Maternal Depression: Uncovering the Prevalence of Maternal Depression Resulting in Self-Harm

March 30, 2018
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on suicide and maternal depression. Presenter M. Camille Hoffman...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Exposure: Perceptions of Impact and Closeness

March 30, 2018
People exposed to suicide are at greater risk for mental health symptoms if they perceive a high level of closeness...
Weekly Spark

Using Awkward Silences for Potentially Life-Saving Conversation about Depression

March 30, 2018
WHYY A new campaign is encouraging teens and young adults to reach out to friends who are struggling. Developed by...
Weekly Spark

MICHIGAN: Michigan Schools Help Students with Mental Health

March 30, 2018
The Detroit News Michigan schools are working to address student mental health through a variety of programming. Following a series...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: How Many Opioid Overdoses Are Suicides?

March 30, 2018
NPR As opioid overdoses increase, public health experts are struggling to figure out what proportion are intentional. Last year, Massachusetts...
Weekly Spark

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Prevention Week

March 30, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is holding its National Prevention Week from May 13 to 19. National Prevention...
Weekly Spark

American Association of Suicidology Annual Conference Press Kit

March 30, 2018
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) has released a press kit for its upcoming annual conference. The conference will take place from April...
Weekly Spark

Underreporting of Suicidal Ideation among U.S. Army Personnel

March 23, 2018
Suicide rates among active duty U.S. Army personnel have increased since 2004. In response, the U.S. military now assesses for...
Weekly Spark

National Data Shows Firefighters’ Mental, Emotional Health Not Getting Enough Attention

March 23, 2018
NBC Bay Area According to national data, many firefighters are struggling with mental health issues. In partnership with the International...
Weekly Spark

MISSOURI: One Patient at a Time, This Wash U Program Works to Reduce Gun Suicides

March 23, 2018
St. Louis Public Radio A Washington University program is working to prevent firearm suicide. Located at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Breaking Down Mental Health Barriers in Agriculture

March 23, 2018
Agriculture.com Efforts are underway to address the mental health of Canadian farmers. At a recent FarmTech conference in Alberta, a...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Job Opening: Product Marketing Specialist

March 23, 2018
SPRC has an opening for a product marketing specialist, located in Waltham, Mass. The person in this position will help lead...
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Adverse Childhood Experiences: Preventing Suicide through Collaborative Upstream Interventions

March 23, 2018
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) webinar on suicide and adverse childhood experiences is now archived online. Presenters...
Weekly Spark

Trauma-Informed, Integrated Care for Children and Families in Health Care Settings

March 23, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has released a policy brief on trauma-informed,...
Weekly Spark

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Senior Service Fellow Vacancy

March 23, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) has an opening for...
Weekly Spark

Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts among Court-Involved, Non-Incarcerated Youth

March 16, 2018
A recent study found that 14 percent of court-involved, non-incarcerated (CINI) youth have a lifetime history of suicidal ideation and/or...
Weekly Spark

Pediatricians Call For Universal Depression Screening For Teens

March 16, 2018
NPR The American Academy of Pediatrics has released updated guidelines on adolescent depression. The guidelines recommend that primary care physicians...
Weekly Spark

MONTANA: Montana Communities Receive State Funding For Community-Based Suicide Detection and Prevention

March 16, 2018
Montana Public Radio Montana has awarded suicide prevention grants to nine community organizations, health care providers, and school districts across...
Weekly Spark

WALES: North Wales Suicide Prevention Action Plan Launched

March 16, 2018
BBC North Wales is launching a three-year plan for preventing suicide and self-harm in the region. It focuses on groups...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Accepting Applications for Healthy Transitions Program

March 16, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting grant applications for Healthy Transitions: Improving Life Trajectories for Youth...
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Engaging and Supporting Families in Suicide Prevention

March 16, 2018
SPRC’s recent webinar on engaging and supporting families in suicide prevention is now archived online. It focuses on engaging families whose...
Weekly Spark

CRISE Summer Institute: Best Practices in Suicide Prevention Program Evaluation

March 16, 2018
The Center for Research and Intervention on Suicide, Ethical Issues, and End-of-Life Practices (CRISE) at the University of Quebec in...
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Adverse Childhood Experiences: Preventing Suicide through Collaborative Upstream Interventions

March 09, 2018
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on suicide and adverse childhood experiences. Presenters will discuss...
Weekly Spark

Work-Related Perceptions and Suicide

March 09, 2018
Negative work-related perceptions can increase depression and suicidal ideation among employees, indirectly contributing to their risk for suicide attempts. This...
Weekly Spark

Sexual Orientation Discordance Puts Adolescents at Greater Risk for Nonfatal Suicidal Behaviors

March 09, 2018
Medical Xpress Recent findings suggest that sexual contact inconsistent with an individual’s sexual orientation (i.e., sexual orientation discordance) may increase...
Weekly Spark

WYOMING: With Church Donation, Wyoming Organization to Create Info Packets for Families Affected by Suicide

March 09, 2018
Casper Star Tribune A Wyoming organization plans to distribute resources for survivors of suicide loss to coroners across the state....
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Twitter Updates Its Policy on Tweets that Encourage Self-Harm and Suicide

March 09, 2018
TechCrunch Twitter has updated its policy on content that promotes self-harm and suicide. The social networking platform now gives users...
Weekly Spark

Suicides among American Indian/Alaska Natives — National Violent Death Reporting System

March 09, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an analysis of suicide trends among American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Using data...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: NACRHHS Policy Brief on Understanding the Impact of Suicide in Rural America

March 09, 2018
The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) is hosting a webinar to discuss the policy brief on suicide in rural America recently released...
Weekly Spark

American Association of Suicidology Statement on Firearms and Suicide

March 09, 2018
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) has released a statement on firearms and suicide. AAS recognizes that access to firearms is a...
Weekly Spark

Rally to Prevent Suicide

March 09, 2018
The National Council for Suicide Prevention (NCSP) is leading a rally to prevent suicide at the U.S. Capitol to advocate for government...
Director's Corner

Technology and Suicide Risk: Moving Beyond Fear to Opportunity

March 02, 2018
Communication has changed in the 10 years since I started at SPRC, especially in our virtual lives. On my ride...
Weekly Spark

More Religious Leaders Challenge Silence, Isolation Surrounding Suicide

March 02, 2018
NPR Some religious leaders are playing an important role in preventing suicide by challenging the silence that surrounds it. Reverend...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: The Unexpected Role Librarians Are Playing in Sacramento’s Homeless Crisis

March 02, 2018
The Sacramento Bee The Sacramento Public Library is training its employees in Mental Health First Aid. Funded by the California...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: Mind Your Language: A Guide to Talking About Mental Health

March 02, 2018
HuffPost Research in the UK found that mental health terms are commonly misused for negative effect. A survey done by...
Weekly Spark

Using ICD–10–CM Data to Identify Nonfatal Suicide Attempts and Intentional Self-Harm

March 02, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a report on using coded data...
Weekly Spark

Interpersonal Violence and Suicide in Victoria, Australia

February 23, 2018
Research has shown a link between a history of exposure to interpersonal violence (IPV) and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts....
Weekly Spark

Preventing Suicide While Protecting Gun Rights

February 23, 2018
HowStuffWorks Public health experts are teaming up with firearms stakeholders on nationwide efforts to prevent suicide. In 2009, Harvard’s Means...
Weekly Spark

INDIANA: Cumberland Police Launch Team to Connect People Struggling with Mental Health with Available Resources

February 23, 2018
Fox 59 An Indiana police department has established a new unit to assist people struggling with mental health issues. Earlier...
Weekly Spark

VERMONT: Dairy Co-op Sends Farmers Suicide Hotline Numbers after Milk Prices Plummet

February 23, 2018
Valley News Dairy co-op Agri-Mark has provided local farmers with suicide prevention resources to help them cope with economic challenges....
Weekly Spark

Cities Selected to Participate in Mayor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide

February 23, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have announced the cities selected to...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Clusters within American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

February 23, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a report on suicide clusters within American Indian and Alaska Native...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: The Zero Suicide Trilogy

February 16, 2018
SPRC has produced a new set of videos featuring interviews with Zero Suicide leaders. These interviews were conducted by the U.S. Department...
Weekly Spark

Engaging and Supporting Families in Suicide Prevention

February 16, 2018
SPRC is hosting a webinar on engaging and supporting families in suicide prevention, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services...
Weekly Spark

School-Based Mental Health Services and Suicide Risk

February 16, 2018
Recent findings from Oregon suggest that increasing the availability of mental health services in school-based health centers (SBHCs) may decrease...
Weekly Spark

Logic's Grammys Performance Tripled Calls to National Suicide Prevention Line

February 16, 2018
CNN Following Logic’s performance at this year’s Grammy Awards, calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline tripled. At the music...
Weekly Spark

ALASKA: Public Health Releases Five-Year Suicide Prevention Plan

February 16, 2018
Peninsula Clarion The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has released a statewide suicide prevention plan. An update to...
Weekly Spark

ENGLAND: Tackling Suicide Rate Is Litmus Test, Says Jeremy Hunt

February 16, 2018
The Bolton News England’s National Health Service (NHS) will require every mental health facility in the country to develop a...
Weekly Spark

Understanding the Impact of Suicide in Rural America

February 16, 2018
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services (NACRHHS) has released a policy...
Weekly Spark

Youth Advocacy and Resilience in the LGBTQ Communities: Insights from the Trevor Project

February 16, 2018
United Suicide Survivors International (US) is hosting a webinar on crisis intervention and suicide prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning...
Weekly Spark

Treatment and Recovery Services Grant Opportunity

February 16, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a funding opportunity announcement to enhance and expand treatment and recovery...
Weekly Spark

Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Contest Winners

February 16, 2018
The winners of the 2018 Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Contest have been announced: Leah Harris, Meghan Caughey, and Laura...
Weekly Spark

Archived Webinar: Improving Care for Homeless Patients at Risk for Suicide

February 09, 2018
SPRC’s Zero Suicide webinar on improving care for homeless patients at risk for suicide is now archived online. In this webinar,...
Weekly Spark

National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Implementation Assessment Report

February 09, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Implementation Assessment Report. This...
Weekly Spark

Clinical Support System for Serious Mental Illness Funding Opportunity

February 09, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for fiscal year 2018 Clinical Support System for Serious Mental...
Weekly Spark

WISQARS Fatal Injury Data Visualization Tool

February 09, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a data visualization tool for fatal injury data from the Web-based Injury...
Weekly Spark

Yup’ik Communities Turn to Indigenous Knowledge to Prevent Youth Suicide and Alcohol Abuse

February 09, 2018
The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) has published a blog post about collaboration between the Center for Alaska...
Director's Corner

Preventing Suicide in Primary Care: A Newly Updated Toolkit

February 09, 2018
Elizabeth Tupa, PhD; Adam Chu, MPH Primary care is a key setting for suicide prevention. Research has shown that individuals...
Weekly Spark

Drug Overdose Suicides May Be Going Undetected

February 09, 2018
Reuters According to a recent study, suicide deaths by drug overdose may be underreported. Using data from the National Violent...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Suicide Prevention Group Chief Calls Gun Club’s Ideas “A Game Changer”

February 09, 2018
The Signal A gun club in Southern California has announced plans to train its staff in suicide prevention and awareness....
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Colo. Sheriff's Office to Pair Mental Health Specialists with Deputies

February 09, 2018
PoliceOne The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is launching a new program to support people with mental health issues. With...
Weekly Spark

Poison Center Call Trends

February 02, 2018
Recent trends indicate that U.S. poison centers are receiving more calls related to intentional exposures and fewer calls related to...
Weekly Spark

How Not to Talk about Suicide

February 02, 2018
SELF Media depictions of suicide can influence behavior. Research has shown, for example, that graphic images of suicide in the...
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: New York Launches Suicide Prevention Task Force

February 02, 2018
Livingston County News New York State has established a task force to evaluate and improve its suicide prevention efforts. Task...
Weekly Spark

SOUTH KOREA: Govt., Ruling Party Work to Reduce Suicide, Traffic, Industrial Accident Deaths

February 02, 2018
The Korea Herald South Korea aims to significantly reduce its number of suicide deaths by 2022. Government officials have announced...
Weekly Spark

Consultant for Tribal Suicide Indicators Resource Guide

February 02, 2018
The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) is accepting proposals for a consultant to develop a tribal suicide indicators resource guide....
Weekly Spark

Evaluation of Policies for the Primary Prevention of Multiple Forms of Violence

February 02, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) is seeking research proposals...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention in Later Life: Connecting and Contributing

February 02, 2018
The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) is hosting a webinar on suicide prevention in later life. The webinar...
Weekly Spark

Lethal Means Counseling in Hospital Emergency Departments

January 26, 2018
A recent survey of discharge practices and protocols in hospital-based emergency departments revealed serious gaps in the provision of lethal...
Weekly Spark

Most Big Public Colleges Don't Track Suicides, AP Finds

January 26, 2018
Associated Press Most of the largest U.S. public universities do not track student suicide deaths, according to the Associated Press...
Weekly Spark

ARIZONA: Ending the Stigma: Programs Create Conversations about Mental Health in Arizona Schools

January 26, 2018
Arizona Daily Sun Arizona schools are trying to get their students talking about mental health. While the state does not...
Weekly Spark

TENNESSEE: Highway Patrol Trains Full Force in Suicide Prevention Techniques

January 26, 2018
Franklin Home Page The Tennessee Highway Patrol has partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to train its...
Weekly Spark

Seize the Awkward

January 26, 2018
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Ad Council, and The Jed Foundation (JED) have launched the suicide prevention campaign Seize the...
Weekly Spark

Ask Suicide-Screening Questions Toolkit

January 26, 2018
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has launched the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions Toolkit. Developed by researchers in the Division of Intramural...
Weekly Spark

2018 Public Health Fellowship Program

January 26, 2018
The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are accepting...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention

January 26, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention has released a new podcast interview on lethal means safety. Rocky...
Weekly Spark

All of Us Research Program Seeks Input on Research Priorities

January 26, 2018
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) All of Us research program is seeking input on research priorities. The program aims to build...
Weekly Spark

Improving Care for Homeless Patients at Risk for Suicide

January 19, 2018
SPRC is hosting a Zero Suicide webinar on improving care for homeless patients at risk for suicide. Presenters will share the innovative...
Weekly Spark

Functional Impairment among Telephone Crisis Support Workers: Impact on Callers

January 19, 2018
Researchers sought to investigate the impact of functional impairment on telephone crisis workers’ ability to provide optimal support to callers....
Weekly Spark

Tackling the Stigma: Copline Hotline Helps Officers Struggling with Mental Health

January 19, 2018
Asbury Park Press A national hotline is providing confidential, 24/7 mental health support to law enforcement officers. Founded in 2006,...
Weekly Spark

NEVADA: Teen Sexual Identity, Childhood Trauma Linked to Suicidal Behaviors

January 19, 2018
Reuters A recent study examined the influence of sexual identity and childhood trauma on suicide risk among Nevada teens. Researchers...
Weekly Spark

Youth Violence Prevention Interventions that Incorporate Racism/Discrimination Prevention

January 19, 2018
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a request for applications for research to develop and test youth violence prevention interventions....
Weekly Spark

Executive Order to Improve Mental Health Resources for Veterans

January 19, 2018
The U.S. president has signed an executive order that directs the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security to develop a...
Weekly Spark

WISQARS 2016 Fatal Injury Data Now Available

January 19, 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated its Web-Based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS)...
Director's Corner

Addressing Despair through Partnerships

January 12, 2018
We’ve known for many years that substance use and suicide are connected. But in recent years, that connection has grown...
Weekly Spark

Why Are America’s Farmers Killing Themselves in Record Numbers?

January 12, 2018
The Guardian Farmers have among the highest suicide rates of any occupational group in the U.S. A 2016 study from...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Warm Voice on the Line: SF Counselors Lend an Ear to Callers in Their Loneliest Moments

January 12, 2018
San Francisco Examiner A peer-run warmline in San Francisco is providing mental health resources and support to callers who are...
Weekly Spark

SCOTLAND: Peterhead FC Tackling Suicide and Depression Risks

January 12, 2018
BBC News A soccer club in Scotland will provide suicide prevention training to its players and officials. In collaboration with...
Weekly Spark

Adolescent Suicide Prevention: Recognizing Teens at Risk and Responding Effectively

January 12, 2018
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a workshop on adolescent suicide prevention that will highlight techniques for...
Weekly Spark

Call for Presentations: Bridging the Divide Suicide Awareness and Prevention Summit

January 12, 2018
The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado (SPCC) has released a call for presentations for its 2018 Bridging the Divide Suicide Awareness and...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at New SPRC Resources in 2017

January 05, 2018
Surveillance Success Stories – Montana Creating Linguistically and Culturally Competent Suicide Prevention Materials Effective Suicide Prevention Video How Emergency Departments...
Director's Corner

A Look Back at Director’s Corners in 2017

January 05, 2018
One Issue, One Goal—Jerry Reed Changing the Story—Jarrod Hindman Get Ready for School—Jerry Reed Start with What You Know: Using...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at Research Summaries in 2017

January 05, 2018
Suicide Attempts and Dying by Suicide—American Journal of Psychiatry Preventing Suicide in the Emergency Department—JAMA Psychiatry Suicide in the U.S....
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at National News in 2017

January 05, 2018
Gun Owner Groups, Health Professionals Team Up to Prevent Suicides—Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health News This Photo Project...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at State and Community News in 2017

January 05, 2018
MASSACHUSETTS: Suicides in Mass. Rise 40 Percent in a Decade—The Boston Globe MICHIGAN: Oxford High School Students Begin Project Called...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at International News in 2017

January 05, 2018
INDIA: When There’s No Therapist, How Can the Depressed Find Help?—NPR AUSTRALIA: National LGBTI Health Alliance Announce Suicide Prevention Strategy—OUTinPerth...
Weekly Spark

Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant

January 05, 2018
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is accepting applications for fiscal...
Weekly Spark

ICRC-S Webinar: The Intersection of Suicide with Other Injuries

January 05, 2018
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on the rationale for developing comprehensive approaches to suicide...
Weekly Spark

National Center for Health Statistics Data Briefs

December 22, 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released two new data briefs....
Weekly Spark

Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee Report

December 22, 2017
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) has released its first report to Congress. The...
Weekly Spark

National Institutes of Health Request for Information

December 22, 2017
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a request for information to gather broad public input on the 2019 to 2023...
Weekly Spark

2018 Pennsylvania Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference

December 22, 2017
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Suicide Prevention Coalition (HESPC) has released a call for presentations for its 2018 annual conference. The conference will take...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention

December 22, 2017
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention has released two new podcast interviews. They are (1)...
Weekly Spark

NEW JERSEY: Montclair State Joins JED Campus to Expand Support for Student Mental Health

December 22, 2017
Montclair State University News Montclair State University is teaming up with The Jed Foundation (JED) to expand the mental health...
Weekly Spark

UTAH: CDC Investigation Shows Youth Suicides in Utah Increasing

December 22, 2017
Utah Department of Health News Suicide deaths among young people in Utah have increased, according to a recent investigation by...
Weekly Spark

Military Suicide Prevention Act Implemented by Armed Forces

December 22, 2017
WANE The U.S. Armed Forces have implemented a new law that aims to prevent suicide among military service members. The...
Weekly Spark

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Suicide Attempts

December 22, 2017
A new study found that adults who had experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were more likely to have attempted suicide...
Weekly Spark

Developing Comprehensive, Integrated Approaches to Suicide Prevention

December 22, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) has released an online presentation on developing comprehensive, integrated approaches to suicide prevention....
Weekly Spark

Emory University Postdoctoral Residency Training Program in Health Service Psychology

December 15, 2017
The Emory University School of Medicine (Emory) Postdoctoral Residency Training Program in Health Service Psychology has an opening for a program evaluation...
Weekly Spark

International Association for Suicide Prevention Early Career Group

December 15, 2017
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) has established an Early Career Group. This group aims to develop an international network of...
Weekly Spark

Zero Suicide Institute Job Opening: Senior Project Associate

December 15, 2017
The Zero Suicide Institute in EDC’s Suicide, Violence, and Injury Prevention Portfolio has an opening for a senior project associate, reporting to the associate director for...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: The Plan to Get Women Vets to Use More Health Services

December 15, 2017
KPCC A new outreach program in Los Angeles County aims to connect women veterans with mental health services. Women Vets...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON: Every Health Care Provider in WA Is Required To Be Trained in Suicide Prevention

December 15, 2017
KUOW A new online training program is teaching medical professionals how to recognize and respond to patients at risk for...
Weekly Spark

Saving Lives via Text Message

December 15, 2017
NPR In the four years since it was founded, Crisis Text Line has exchanged 50 million text messages with users....
Weekly Spark

Childhood Maltreatment and Suicide Risk in the U.S. Army

December 15, 2017
A new study of young adults entering the U.S. Army revealed that childhood maltreatment is associated with lifetime suicidal behavior,...
Weekly Spark

ICRC-S Research Training Institute Call for Papers

December 15, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) has issued a call for applications for its fourth Research Training Institute, which...
Weekly Spark

Prevention Conversations from SAMHSA’s CAPT

December 08, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT) has released a video...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA 14th Annual Prevention Day

December 08, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will convene its 14th Annual Prevention Day in conjunction with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of...
Weekly Spark

The ICRC-S Research Training Institute Experience: Five Alumni Perspectives

December 08, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) webinar on the Research Training Institute (RTI) experience is now available online....
Weekly Spark

Guidelines for Integrated Suicide-Related Crisis and Follow-Up Care in Emergency Departments

December 08, 2017
The Black Dog Institute has released a set of guidelines for integrated suicide-related crisis and follow-up care in emergency departments and other acute settings....
Weekly Spark

Indian Health Service Announces Zero Suicide Grants

December 08, 2017
The Indian Health Service (IHS) has awarded $3.2 million in grants for Zero Suicide. The funding will support projects that implement a...
Weekly Spark

ENGLAND: Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention App Launched in Bristol

December 08, 2017
BBC News A new phone app in Bristol, England, is available to people who are considering suicide or self-harm. Developed...
Weekly Spark

ALABAMA: Athens School Board Approves Youth Suicide Prevention Policy

December 08, 2017
Decatur Daily The Athens, Alabama, school board has approved a policy for preventing youth suicide. The policy calls on schools...
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Self-Harm Is Increasing Among Teen Girls, Study Finds

December 08, 2017
TIME Suicide attempts and self-harm among teenage girls have increased, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease...
Weekly Spark

Self-Harm Methods and Repeat Episodes

December 08, 2017
Recent findings from England suggest that patients who use a combination of self-poisoning and other self-harm methods (e.g., self-poisoning and...
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: Mental Health Education Required for New York Students

December 01, 2017
9NEWS School health curricula in New York State will soon include mental health education. Starting next year, all elementary, middle,...
Weekly Spark

What Every Parent Needs to Understand about Teens’ Mental Health

December 01, 2017
HuffPost A new report suggests that mental health outcomes among American teens are worsening. Researchers at Mental Health America examined...
Director's Corner

Start with What You Know: Using Data for Suicide Prevention

December 01, 2017
As we approach the 18th anniversary of the first National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, that document’s strategic direction on data and...
Weekly Spark

Pain in the Nation

December 01, 2017
Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and Well Being Trust (WBT) have released a report on drug, alcohol, and suicide deaths in the U.S....
Weekly Spark

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 2017 State Reports

December 01, 2017
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) has released its 2017 National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) commissioner reports....
Weekly Spark

Trends in Emergency Department Visits for Nonfatal Self-inflicted Injuries among Youth

December 01, 2017
A new study published in JAMA describes trends in emergency department visits for nonfatal self-inflicted injuries among youth ages 10 to 24 in the...
Weekly Spark

NREPP Open Submission Period

December 01, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced that the next open submission period for the National...
Weekly Spark

No Veteran Left Behind Public Service Announcement

December 01, 2017
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) have launched a public service announcement about veteran suicide. Narrated by Tom...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health America 2018 State of Mental Health Report

December 01, 2017
Mental Health America (MHA) has released its fourth annual State of Mental Health Report, which ranks all 50 states and the...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Facebook Is Using AI to Try to Prevent Suicide

December 01, 2017
The Washington Post Facebook has announced that it is rolling out a new suicide prevention tool to most of its...
Weekly Spark

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

November 17, 2017
Saturday, November 18 marks International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, an occasion for people affected by suicide loss to gather together...
Weekly Spark

Active Minds Emerging Scholars Fellowship Call for Proposals

November 17, 2017
Active Minds has released a call for proposals for the 2018 Emerging Scholars Fellowship. Funded by the Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation (Scattergood),...
Weekly Spark

IRELAND: Taxi Watch: Suicide Prevention Drive that Saved 200 Lives

November 17, 2017
BBC News A group of taxi drivers in Kilkenny, Ireland are helping to prevent suicide in their community. Founded by...
Weekly Spark

NEBRASKA: Rural Areas Face Bigger Mental Health Shortages

November 17, 2017
Local efforts are underway to improve access to behavioral health care in rural Nebraska. One such effort is the Behavioral...
Weekly Spark

Joint Commission Gives Patient Suicide Prevention Tips to Hospitals

November 17, 2017
Campus Safety The Joint Commission has released a report that contains new guidance on preventing suicide in inpatient psychiatric units,...
Weekly Spark

Mortality Risk following Adversity-Related Injury

November 17, 2017
A study in England assessed mortality risk among adolescents following an accident- or adversity-related injury (i.e., self-inflicted, drug- or alcohol-related,...
Weekly Spark

The ICRC-S Research Training Institute Experience: Five Alumni Perspectives

November 17, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on the Research Training Institute (RTI) experience. Five RTI...
From the Field

Surveillance Success Stories – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

November 17, 2017
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of its latest Surveillance Success Story, which comes from the state of California. This...
Weekly Spark

Zero Suicide Approach for Crisis Centers

November 10, 2017
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) is hosting a webinar on the role of crisis centers in Zero Suicide. Panelists will discuss...
Weekly Spark

Developing a Successful Suicide Prevention Research Project

November 10, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) community of practice webinar on how to develop a successful suicide...
Weekly Spark

PTSD and Death from Suicide

November 10, 2017
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center for PTSD has released a new issue of the PTSD Research Quarterly that focuses on the...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: The Second Zero Suicide Trilogy

November 10, 2017
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention has released its second Zero Suicide podcast trilogy. Conversations...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Job Opening: Senior Tribal Prevention Specialist

November 10, 2017
EDC’s Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) in the Injury, Violence, and Suicide Prevention Portfolio has an opening for a senior tribal prevention...
Weekly Spark

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Zero Suicide Training Offered to Local Health Professionals

November 10, 2017
Foster’s Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire is hosting a Zero Suicide Academy for local health care professionals at the end...
Weekly Spark

A Quiet Rise in Wildland Firefighter Suicides

November 10, 2017
The Atlantic As wildland fires become more severe, suicide rates among the firefighters who battle them appear to be rising....
Weekly Spark

The Virtual Hope Box

November 10, 2017
A recent study found that a smartphone app was more effective than print materials at improving veterans’ ability to cope...
Weekly Spark

Simulation Modeling and Systems Science to Address Health Disparities

November 03, 2017
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a funding opportunity announcement to support investigative and collaborative research focused on developing and...
Weekly Spark

Beyond Beds: The Vital Role of a Full Continuum of Psychiatric Care

November 03, 2017
The National Association of Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and Treatment Advocacy Center have released a joint report that is the first in a...
Weekly Spark

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Suicide Prevention Research

November 03, 2017
The University of Rochester Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide (UR-CSPS) is accepting applications for postdoctoral training in suicide prevention research....
Weekly Spark

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Innovation Center New Direction

November 03, 2017
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center has released a request for information. The Center is seeking feedback...
Weekly Spark

Zero Suicide Institute Job Opening: Financial Manager

November 03, 2017
EDC’s Zero Suicide Institute (ZSI) in the Injury, Violence, and Suicide Prevention Portfolio has an opening for a financial manager. The manager...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Job Opening: Grantee and State Initiatives Manager

November 03, 2017
EDC’s Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) in the Injury, Violence, and Suicide Prevention Portfolio has an opening for a grantee and state...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: This Is How You Should Be Treated at Work if You're Struggling with Mental Health Issues

November 03, 2017
Cosmopolitan A new UK government report found significant mental health challenges in the workplace, with 15 percent of UK employees...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: MBTA Focuses on Suicide Prevention

November 03, 2017
The MetroWest Daily News Massachusetts transit officials and suicide prevention advocates are collaborating on efforts to prevent suicide on the...
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: Suicide Prevention Barriers Fitted on Iconic New York Bridge

November 03, 2017
Metro New York’s Port Authority is installing 11-foot-high suicide prevention fencing on the George Washington Bridge. In an effort to...
Director's Corner

Help SPRC Help You

November 03, 2017
Elly Stout, MS, SPRC Director, Education Development Center, Inc. In my first Director’s Corner, I’m asking for your feedback: help...
Weekly Spark

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Suicide Prevention Research

October 27, 2017
The University of Rochester Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide (UR-CSPS) is accepting applications for research training fellowships in suicide prevention....
Weekly Spark

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Suicide Risk: Toward Comprehensive Prevention

October 27, 2017
A recent commentary in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests that the prevention of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) offers untapped potential for expanding...
Weekly Spark

MICHIGAN: New Suicide Prevention Fences Rising atop Ann Arbor Parking Decks

October 27, 2017
Ann Arbor News The city of Ann Arbor is installing suicide prevention fencing on its downtown public parking decks. In...
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: Area Youth Coaches to Engage in Suicide Prevention Campaign

October 27, 2017
The Sun A suicide prevention program in Clinton County is training youth sports coaches how to recognize and respond to...
Weekly Spark

Suicide in the U.S. Army

October 27, 2017
Recent data revealed that 79 percent of U.S. Army soldiers who died by suicide had a lifetime history of a...
Weekly Spark

Virtual Learning Lab: State Suicide Prevention

October 27, 2017
SPRC is pleased to announce the launch of its new interactive online tool, Virtual Learning Lab: State Suicide Prevention, which helps...
Weekly Spark

Youth Bullying and Suicide: The Reality for Schools Today

October 20, 2017
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation (Hazelden) is hosting a webinar on youth bullying and suicide. Three expert panelists will discuss the association...
Weekly Spark

International Summit on Suicide Research

October 20, 2017
The International Academy of Suicide Research (IASR) and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will convene the International Summit on Suicide...
Weekly Spark

Active Minds Healthy Campus Award Call for Applications

October 20, 2017
Active Minds has released a call for applications for the 2018 Healthy Campus Award. The Healthy Campus Award champions schools that are taking...
Weekly Spark

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

October 20, 2017
Saturday, November 18 marks International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, an occasion for people affected by suicide loss to gather together...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Ottawa, Military in Joint Offensive to Save Soldiers from Suicide

October 20, 2017
The Globe and Mail The Canadian Departments of National Defense and Veterans Affairs are collaborating on a joint strategy to...
Weekly Spark

MONTANA: Governor and Tribal Governments Uniting to Reduce and Prevent American Indian Youth Suicide

October 20, 2017
ABC Fox Montana Montana state and tribal governments are collaborating on efforts to prevent suicide among American Indian youth. Representatives...
Weekly Spark

Americans Living in Rural Areas More Likely to Die by Suicide

October 20, 2017
CBS News According to a new federal report, suicide rates are significantly higher in rural areas of the country than...
Weekly Spark

Screening Young People for Suicide Risk

October 20, 2017
An analysis of screening data from more than 2,500 primary care patients ages 14 to 24 found that a web-based...
Weekly Spark

Developing a Successful Suicide Prevention Research Project

October 20, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a community of practice webinar on how to develop a successful...
Weekly Spark

Action Alliance Statement Responds to New Reports on Suicide Trends

October 13, 2017
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has released a statement in response to two new reports on suicide trends...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Trends among and within Urbanization Levels by Sex, Race/Ethnicity, Age Group, and Mechanism of Death — United States, 2001–2015

October 13, 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new data in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). The data show that...
Weekly Spark

WALES: Welsh Schoolchildren to Receive Early Help with Mental Health Problems

October 13, 2017
The Guardian The Welsh government is establishing a new initiative that will provide children with help for mental health problems...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: “It's OK to Say Suicide”: School Districts Set New Tone for Suicide Prevention Awareness

October 13, 2017
Visalia Times-Delta Following the recent passage of suicide prevention legislation, California school districts are taking steps to implement suicide prevention...
Weekly Spark

Older Adults More Likely to Disclose Suicidal Thoughts as They Age

October 13, 2017
Reuters Nearly a quarter of older adults who die by suicide disclose their intent in advance, according to a recent...
Weekly Spark

Crisis Center Follow-Up Calls Reduce Risk of Suicide

October 13, 2017
Follow-up telephone calls may be a safe and inexpensive method of helping crisis hotline callers who report suicidal ideation, according...
Weekly Spark

ICRC-S Research Training Institute Call for Papers

October 13, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) has issued a call for applications for its fourth Research Training Institute, which...
Weekly Spark

VA Advanced Fellowship Program in Veteran Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

October 06, 2017
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention (CoE) and the affiliated University of Rochester Center...
Weekly Spark

Advancing Research to Prevent Youth Suicide: Meeting Report

October 06, 2017
The National Institutes of Health Office of Disease Prevention (NIH ODP) has released a report from the Pathways to Prevention Workshop on...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Director’s Message on Suicide Prevention

October 06, 2017
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Director Joshua Gordon has written a blog post on the next steps in suicide prevention. He...
Weekly Spark

MARYLAND: Higher Rural Suicide Rates Driven by Use of Guns

October 06, 2017
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health News A recent study found that rural-urban differences in suicide rates in Maryland...
Weekly Spark

ILLINOIS: Metra Safety Official Talks Suicide Prevention at McHenry County Mental Health Conference

October 06, 2017
Northwest Herald Transportation agency Metra is expanding efforts to prevent suicide on its Chicago area commuter rail system. In collaboration...
Weekly Spark

Women Vets Have More Than Double the Suicide Rate of Civilian Women

October 06, 2017
Newsweek New findings from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) indicate that the suicide rate among female veterans is...
Director's Corner

Passing the Torch

October 06, 2017
In my final Director’s Corner, I would like to introduce you to SPRC’s new director, Elly Stout. Although new to...
Weekly Spark

Suicidality and Death by Suicide among Middle-Aged Adults in the United States

September 29, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) has released a...
Weekly Spark

VA Releases Veteran Suicide Statistics by State

September 29, 2017
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released data on veteran suicide for 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of...
Weekly Spark

ENGLAND: Strategy Moves to Reduce Suicide Rate

September 29, 2017
Stratford-upon-Avon Herald Warwickshire County in England has published a strategy for reducing suicide deaths by 2020. Developed by the county...
Weekly Spark

MINNESOTA: SAVE, MnDOT Building Railings on St. Paul Bridge to Deter Suicide

September 29, 2017
CBS Minnesota In an effort to prevent suicide deaths, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is building nine-foot fences along the...
Weekly Spark

Suicide among Veterans Highest in Western U.S., Rural Areas

September 29, 2017
The Denver Post The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released its first-ever state data on veteran suicide, which...
Weekly Spark

Means of Suicide among People 50 and Over

September 29, 2017
Researchers examined data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (2005–2014) on older adult suicide decedents to identify trends and...
Weekly Spark

CDC School Health Policies and Practices Study – 2016 Data Release

September 22, 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new data from the School Health Policies and Practices Study...
Weekly Spark

HHS Awards $14.5 Million in Grants for Suicide Prevention Programs

September 22, 2017
The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced the funding of up...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON: Gun Dealers, Suicide Prevention Advocates Partner to Save Lives

September 22, 2017
UW News A public education campaign in Washington State is seeking to prevent suicide by reducing access to lethal means...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Study Shows Transgender Students Are at Significant Risk for Suicidal Thoughts

September 22, 2017
Medical Xpress According to a recent study, transgender youth in California are at significantly higher risk for suicidal thoughts than...
Weekly Spark

Thanks to Logic's Song, the Phones at “1-800-273-8255” Are Ringing off the Hook

September 22, 2017
Chicago Tribune Following the April release of Logic’s hit song about the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, calls to the crisis...
Weekly Spark

Suicide among Current and Former Service Members

September 22, 2017
A study of nearly 3.8 million U.S. military personnel revealed that currently deployed service members were at lower risk of...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Website Survey: Share Your Feedback with Us!

September 22, 2017
Social Science Research and Evaluation, Inc. (SSRE), which provides external evaluation services for SPRC, has developed a brief survey to help us...
Weekly Spark

A Note from Jerry Reed, Director, SPRC

September 15, 2017
I am pleased to share with you that Elly Stout will be taking on the role of SPRC director starting...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program

September 15, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) is accepting applications for 2018 to 2019...
Weekly Spark

News and Entertainment Play Important Role in Shaping National Suicide Narrative

September 15, 2017
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has released a statement to reporters on the important role of the media...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention in Women Veterans: Risk and Resiliency Factors

September 15, 2017
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) is hosting a webinar on suicide prevention in...
Weekly Spark

WYOMING: The Art of Healing: People Affected by Suicide Find Comfort in Art Sessions at Local Nonprofit

September 15, 2017
Casper Star Tribune A community art center in Wyoming recently offered a series of free art sessions for people affected...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: New Law to Require Suicide Prevention Training for Psychologists

September 15, 2017
Palo Alto Online California has passed a law that will require all psychologists to receive standardized training in suicide prevention....
Weekly Spark

After a Suicide, Sibling Survivors Are Often Overlooked

September 15, 2017
NPR Until recently, the experiences of sibling suicide loss survivors have been poorly understood. Research shows that individuals who have...
Weekly Spark

Physical Health and Risk of Suicide Death

September 15, 2017
An analysis of data from eight health care systems confirmed that many physical health conditions are associated with risk of...
Weekly Spark

The ICRC-S Research Training Institute: An Overview of the Call for Applications

September 15, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on its fourth Research Training Institute, which will take...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Job Opening: Digital Content Specialist

September 08, 2017
EDC’s Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) in the Injury, Violence, and Suicide Prevention Portfolio has an opening for a Digital Content Specialist....
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Under State Mandate, Glendale Unified Adopts Policy on Suicide Prevention

September 08, 2017
Los Angeles Times The Glendale Unified school district has adopted a suicide prevention policy requiring all secondary teachers to receive...
Weekly Spark

ALASKA: The Doctor Will Analyze You Now

September 08, 2017
Politico While many Americans who need behavioral health care are not receiving it, a health care provider serving Native Alaskans...
Weekly Spark

Here’s How to Talk to Your Boss about Mental Health

September 08, 2017
Money-ish In a 2017 American Psychological Association (APA) survey, 18 percent of American workers reported that mental health issues made...
Director's Corner

Faith, Hope, & Life

September 08, 2017
September is the month when those of us who work in suicide prevention make a special effort to reach out...
Weekly Spark

How Emergency Departments Can Help Prevent Suicide among At-Risk Patients: Five Brief Interventions

September 08, 2017
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is pleased to announce the release of its new video, How Emergency Departments Can Help...
Weekly Spark

National Suicide Prevention Week

September 08, 2017
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and its partners are coming together from September 11 to 16 to...
Weekly Spark

World Suicide Prevention Day

September 08, 2017
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) has launched activities and resources in honor of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10....
Weekly Spark

Traumatic Brain Injury and Attempted Suicide among Veterans of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

September 08, 2017
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) is hosting a webinar on traumatic brain injury...
Weekly Spark

Indian Health Service Zero Suicide Initiative Funding Announcement

August 25, 2017
The Indian Health Service (IHS) has released a funding announcement for a Zero Suicide Initiative. Its purpose is to improve the system...
Weekly Spark

Exploring Partnership Opportunities with Faith-based Communities

August 25, 2017
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) is hosting a webinar on the role that...
Weekly Spark

Initiation of a Mental Health Family Navigator Model to Promote Early Access, Engagement, and Coordination of Needed Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents

August 25, 2017
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a funding opportunity announcement for research applications to develop and test the effectiveness and...
Weekly Spark

American Association of Suicidology Call for Papers

August 25, 2017
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) has issued a call for papers for its 51st annual conference. The conference will be held in...
Weekly Spark

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Wreath Laying Ceremony

August 25, 2017
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is hosting a wreath laying ceremony to honor veterans and active duty service...
Weekly Spark

ENGLAND: Suicide Prevention Campaign Will Target People Who Live and Work in City of London

August 25, 2017
PRWeek London recently ran a month-long suicide prevention campaign targeting the city’s inhabitants and workforce. The campaign aimed to encourage...
Weekly Spark

ARIZONA: Arizona High Schools Add Suicide Prevention Numbers to ID Badges

August 25, 2017
All the Moms Four Phoenix area school districts and several charter schools now display the phone number for Teen Lifeline...
Weekly Spark

Inventive Help for Mental Health One College Student Would Suggest to Another

August 25, 2017
WBUR To meet the mental health needs of college students, an increasing array of resources may help supplement the traditional...
Weekly Spark

Preventing Suicide in the Emergency Department

August 25, 2017
Emergency departments (EDs) can reduce suicide attempts among high-risk patients by delivering a combination of interventions that includes suicide risk...
Weekly Spark

Safe Care Transitions in a Zero Suicide Framework

August 25, 2017
SPRC is hosting a webinar on safe care transitions in the Zero Suicide framework. Presenters will (1) identify key care transition practices and partnerships...
Weekly Spark

National Day of Prayer for Faith, Hope, & Life

August 21, 2017
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s (Action Alliance) Faith Communities Task Force is promoting a National Day of Prayer for Faith,...
Weekly Spark

UTAH: Tales from Utah Valley: There Is More Hope for Youth Suicide Prevention

August 21, 2017
Daily Herald Funding allocated by the Utah state legislature will allow 90 elementary schools to implement suicide prevention programs in...
Weekly Spark

“13 Reasons Why” Tied to Rise in Suicide Searches Online

August 21, 2017
CNN New research suggests that Internet searches for suicide-related terms increased following the release of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why....
Weekly Spark

State Firearms Laws and Suicide

August 21, 2017
A recent analysis found that the suicide rate decreased significantly in states that required both a background check and waiting...
Weekly Spark

Effective Suicide Prevention Video

August 21, 2017
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of its new video, Effective Suicide Prevention. This four-minute recording provides a brief overview...
Weekly Spark

Collaborative Safety Planning to Reduce Risk in Suicidal Patients: A Key Component of the Zero Suicide Model

August 11, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) webinar on collaborative safety planning to reduce risk in suicidal patients...
Weekly Spark

QuickStats: Suicide Rates for Teens Aged 15 to 19 by Sex — United States, 1975–2015

August 11, 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center) has released new data in...
Weekly Spark

JAPAN: Japan Aims to Reduce "Critical" Suicide Rate by 30% over 10 Years

August 11, 2017
The Japan Times The Japanese government has announced a plan to reduce the national suicide rate by 30 percent over...
Weekly Spark

A Suicide Attempt in an Army Unit Can Lead to More, Study Finds

August 11, 2017
CNN New research suggests that a history of suicide attempts in an army unit can place unit members at increased...
Weekly Spark

Preventing Suicide on Railroad Tracks

August 11, 2017
According to the authors of a study in Canada, prevention efforts targeting railroad track locations where suicides take place would...
Weekly Spark

National Suicide Prevention Week

August 11, 2017
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and its partners are coming together from September 11 to 16 to...
Weekly Spark

Lifeline State Capacity-Building Initiative

August 04, 2017
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) has issued a request for proposals for a funding opportunity to help expand Lifeline capacity in...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Voice Awards

August 04, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting its annual Voice Awards to honor consumer, peer, and...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Update on the VA’s New Activities and Direction

August 04, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance (SMVF TA) Center...
Weekly Spark

ENGLAND: England’s Mental Health Experiment: No-Cost Talk Therapy

August 04, 2017
The New York Times England is aiming to transform its mental health care system by providing open-ended access to free...
Weekly Spark

MONTANA: Millions More Available to Tribes for Preventive Health Care, Suicide Prevention

August 04, 2017
Independent Record Montana has announced that it will provide training and up to $64 million in yearly funding for preventive...
Weekly Spark

ALASKA: In Northwest Arctic, a Powerful Tool in Combating Suicide: Training Youths to Help Each Other

August 04, 2017
Alaska Dispatch News The University of Alaska Fairbanks is leading a statewide initiative to reduce suicide in Alaska Native communities....
Director's Corner

Get Ready for School

August 04, 2017
August is a time when many people head to the beach or mountains to take a well-deserved break from their...
Weekly Spark

National Day of Prayer for Faith, Hope, & Life

July 28, 2017
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s (Action Alliance) Faith Communities Task Force is promoting a National Day of Prayer for Faith,...
Weekly Spark

CARF Suicide Prevention Standards Address Public Health Crisis

July 28, 2017
CARF International (CARF) has announced the release of standards for developing and implementing suicide prevention programs. Based on the findings of a...
Weekly Spark

Improving Your Injury and Violence Prevention Practice with the Core Competencies

July 28, 2017
The Southeastern & Southwestern Injury Prevention Network and Safe States Alliance (Safe States) are hosting a six-part webinar series on improving injury...
Weekly Spark

Crisis Now: Transforming Services is within Our Reach

July 28, 2017
The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) is hosting a webinar on transforming crisis services. It will provide...
Weekly Spark

New Zero Suicide Evidence Base Resources

July 28, 2017
Nine new resources are now available on the Zero Suicide website. These include seven documents that describe the evidence base behind each element...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: What Is the Blue Whale Game, the Russian “Challenge” Blamed For Suicides?

July 28, 2017
Newsweek Suicide prevention experts are recommending that parents monitor their children’s internet activity for signs of the Blue Whale Challenge,...
Weekly Spark

TEXAS: In Texas, People with Mental Illness Find Work Helping Peers

July 28, 2017
Kaiser Health News Texas is employing peer counselors to provide support to people with serious mental illness. More than 900...
Weekly Spark

When a Loved One Is in Need: How to Navigate Conversations about Mental Health

July 28, 2017
CBS News A new resource offers tips on navigating conversations about mental health with friends or family members. The Face...
Weekly Spark

Self-Harm and Suicide

July 28, 2017
An analysis of Medicaid data found that adults treated for deliberate self-harm were 37.2 times more likely to die by...
Weekly Spark

Assessment of Suicidal Ideation and Behavior: Report of the International Society for CNS Clinical Trials and Methodology Consensus Meeting

July 21, 2017
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry has published a report of the International Society for Central Nervous System Clinical Trials and Methodology (ISCTM) consensus meeting....
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Lack of Follow-Up Visits a Factor in Increase in Suicide Rates, Study Shows

July 21, 2017
The Washington Times A recent study found that patients are at increased risk of suicide following discharge from inpatient psychiatric...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: British Samaritans Train 15,000 Railway Staff in Suicide Prevention

July 21, 2017
International Railway Journal One in six British railway staff has received training in suicide prevention, according to the Samaritans organization....
Weekly Spark

MICHIGAN: Online Screening Helps Michigan Men Gauge Mental Health

July 21, 2017
Rural Health Information Hub A public health campaign in Michigan is using an online mental health intervention to help prevent...
Weekly Spark

Suicidal Ideation and Behavior among Young Adults

July 21, 2017
A recent study found that part-time college students, high school students, and young people ages 18 to 25 not enrolled...
Weekly Spark

Developing Successful and Positive Suicide Prevention Messaging – Planning Ahead for Suicide Prevention Month

July 21, 2017
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) webinar on developing successful and positive suicide prevention messaging for Suicide Prevention Month...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Postvention: The Role of the School Community After a Suicide

July 21, 2017
Kognito is hosting a webinar on the role of school communities after a suicide. Presenters include Richard Lieberman, lecturer in the Graduate School...
Weekly Spark

A Note from Jerry Reed, Director, SPRC

July 14, 2017
I am excited to inform you about an upcoming change in my work at Education Development Center (EDC). As many...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Nunavut Funds Community-Based Suicide Prevention Plan

July 14, 2017
CBC News The Nunavut territory in northern Canada has announced a $35 million, five-year suicide prevention plan that will focus...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: Reducing the Suicide Rate among Middle-Aged Men in Massachusetts

July 14, 2017
Care for Your Mind A statewide education campaign is seeking to reduce suicide among middle-aged men in Massachusetts. Developed by...
Weekly Spark

Pride in Mental Health: An Interview with The Trevor Project and Crisis Text Line

July 14, 2017
HuffPost In a recent interview, representatives from Crisis Text Line and The Trevor Project discussed ways to address the mental...
Weekly Spark

Screening Older Adults in Emergency Departments

July 14, 2017
A study of universal suicide screening in emergency departments (EDs) found that the proportion of patients actually screened began to...
Weekly Spark

Collaborative Safety Planning to Reduce Risk in Suicidal Patients: A Key Component of the Zero Suicide Model

July 14, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on collaborative safety planning to reduce risk in suicidal...
Weekly Spark

Trends in Injury Deaths in the United States, Canada, and Australia from 2000 to 2014

July 07, 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a new study that looks at trends in injury deaths...
Weekly Spark

Deciphering Suicide and Other Manners of Death Associated with Drug Intoxication: A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Consultation Meeting Summary

July 07, 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a summary of its meeting on drug intoxication deaths as...
Weekly Spark

HHS Announces a $4.9 Million Grant to Reduce Suicides on College and University Campuses

July 07, 2017
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $4.9 million to 17 colleges and universities for suicide prevention and mental...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: House of Commons Report on Indigenous Suicide Issues 28 Recommendations

July 07, 2017
The Star A parliamentary committee has released a set of recommendations for preventing suicide among indigenous populations in Canada. The...
Weekly Spark

TENNESSEE: TN Suicide Prevention Network Celebrates Passage of Tullis Act of 2017

July 07, 2017
Herald Chronicle A new law in Tennessee will require licensed behavioral health care professionals to complete two hours of suicide...
Weekly Spark

Burden of Physical Health Conditions Linked to Increased Risk of Suicide

July 07, 2017
Medical Xpress According to a recent study, certain physical health conditions may be associated with an increased risk of suicide....
Director's Corner

Looking Past the Complexity

July 07, 2017
We often describe suicide as a complex problem that requires complex solutions. But sometimes a simple gesture can make a...
Weekly Spark

United Suicide Survivors International: An Appreciative Inquiry Webinar

June 26, 2017
RI International is hosting an informational webinar on United Suicide Survivors International (United Survivors), a global organization that empowers people with lived experience...
Weekly Spark

Notice of Interest to Highlight High-Priority Time-Sensitive Research Opportunities toward Zero Suicide Health Care Systems

June 26, 2017
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has issued a notice to highlight its interest in receiving grant applications focused on applied...
Weekly Spark

Redesigned NREPP Learning Center Launched

June 26, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched a new Learning Center for the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: ANU Rolls out Sources of Strength Suicide Prevention Program to Canberra Schools

June 26, 2017
The Canberra Times The Sources of Strength youth suicide prevention program is being pilot tested in Australia. Eight schools in...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: A New Emphasis on Mental Health for Cops, Other Officers

June 26, 2017
USA Today Efforts are underway to address the mental health needs of correctional and law enforcement officers in California. The...
Weekly Spark

Colleges Get Proactive in Addressing Depression on Campus

June 26, 2017
The New York Times Colleges are seeking to understand and address increasing rates of student mental health issues and suicide...
Weekly Spark

Using Electronic Health Records to Assess Suicide Risk

June 26, 2017
A research study found that electronic health record (EHR) information can serve as an “early warning system” to alert clinicians...
Weekly Spark

Developing Successful and Positive Suicide Prevention Messaging – Planning Ahead for Suicide Prevention Month

June 26, 2017
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is hosting a webinar on developing successful and positive suicide prevention messaging for...
Weekly Spark

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Suicide Prevention Fellowship

June 16, 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center) is seeking a...
Weekly Spark

Policies Supporting Temporary Storage of Firearms

June 16, 2017
A study identified how state laws can support or interfere with the temporary voluntary transfer of firearms from the homes...
Weekly Spark

ALASKA: School District Expands Crisis Response Team

June 16, 2017
Alaska Star In an effort to address high rates of youth suicide, the Anchorage school district is expanding its crisis...
Weekly Spark

“Tell Me What the Reality Looks Like”: Trying to Stop Suicides as Social Media Explodes

June 16, 2017
NBC 10 Philadelphia Social media poses both challenges and opportunities for suicide prevention, according to experts. Researchers have documented an...
Weekly Spark

TV’s Obsession with Suicide Can Do Real Harm

June 16, 2017
VICE News Recent depictions of suicide in entertainment media have prompted concern among suicide prevention advocates. While television shows such...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Job Opening: Training and Technical Assistance Specialist II

June 16, 2017
SPRC has an opening for a full-time Prevention Specialist (Training and Technical Assistance Specialist II), located within the Center for the Study...
Weekly Spark

Behavioral Health Services for Sexual and Gender Minority Adults: Where Data and Practice Intersect

June 16, 2017
The National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) is hosting a webinar on behavioral health services for sexual and gender minority adults....
Weekly Spark

QuickStats: Average Number of Deaths from Motor Vehicle Injuries, Suicide, and Homicide, by Day of the Week - National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2015

June 09, 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center) has released new data in...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Part 1: Healing Methods - Suicide Prevention in Native Communities

June 09, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) is hosting the first webinar in a...
Weekly Spark

What Educators and Parents Need to Know about Netflix and the 13 Reasons Why Series

June 09, 2017
Partners for Success and Innovation (PSI) is hosting a webinar that will outline what educators and parents need to know about the...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: The Zero Suicide Initiative Trilogy

June 09, 2017
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention has added three interviews with Zero Suicide leaders to...
Weekly Spark

Voluntary Medical Leave for Students Experiencing Mental Health Difficulties at College - Title II Clarifications: Principles for Developing a Leave of Absence Policy

June 09, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and The Jed Foundation (JED) are hosting a webinar that will explore principles...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: $47m Suicide Prevention Boost to Save 3,000 Lives

June 09, 2017
The Northern Star The Australian government has announced that it will increase federal funding for suicide prevention by $47 million....
Weekly Spark

MONTANA: Bullock, MBA Announce Suicide Awareness, Prevention Campaign

June 09, 2017
NBC Montana Montana has launched a media campaign to spread awareness about suicide prevention. Developed by state health officials in...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: California Law Spurs Reforms after Suicide Cluster

June 09, 2017
EdSource In an effort to address youth suicide, a new law in California requires schools to establish suicide prevention programs...
Weekly Spark

Unemployment, Foreclosures, Poverty, and Suicide Rates

June 09, 2017
New research suggests that poverty itself, rather than unemployment and foreclosures, contributed to the rise in the suicide rate during...
Weekly Spark

Addressing Suicide Research Gaps: Understanding Mortality Outcomes

June 02, 2017
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a funding opportunity announcement to address research gaps in understanding suicide mortality outcomes. It...
Weekly Spark

JAPAN: Japan’s Suicide Rate Is Finally Falling, Thanks to Preventative Measures

June 02, 2017
Newsweek According to a government report, Japan’s suicide rate has fallen to its lowest level in 22 years. However, officials...
Weekly Spark

PENNSYLVANIA: Student Suicides: How Does the City Respond?

June 02, 2017
The Notebook Philadelphia health officials are working with the city’s school district to prevent student suicide. The Department of Behavioral...
Weekly Spark

Pulling Back the Curtain on Police Officers' Suicides

June 02, 2017
CityLab Local and national efforts are underway to prevent suicide among the country’s law enforcement officers. According to experts, there...
Director's Corner

Sustaining Success

June 02, 2017
Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) staff have had the privilege of working with Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (GLS) grantees for the...
Weekly Spark

The Good Behavior Game: An Effective Classroom Tool for Suicide Prevention

June 02, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on the effectiveness of the Good Behavior Game as...
Weekly Spark

A Joint Statement to Reporters Covering the Death of Chris Cornell

May 26, 2017
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has released a statement to reporters covering the death of Chris Cornell. It...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Is a Significant Health Problem

May 26, 2017
The Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation and Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation have released a policy paper on suicide, which was produced...
Weekly Spark

Addressing Suicide Research Gaps: Aggregating and Mining Existing Data Sets for Secondary Analyses

May 26, 2017
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a funding opportunity announcement for investigators to integrate and analyze datasets in a cost-efficient...
Weekly Spark

Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Suicide in Veterans with Substance Use Disorders

May 26, 2017
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) is hosting a webinar on cognitive behavior therapy...
Weekly Spark

CONNECTICUT: A Fresh Approach to Mental Health Programming at University of Hartford: Fresh Check Day

May 26, 2017
Hartford Courant The University of Hartford recently held an event to promote awareness about mental health and suicide prevention on...
Weekly Spark

Facebook Teams with The Trevor Project to Help Prevent LGBTQ Youth Suicides

May 26, 2017
Mashable Facebook has announced that it is partnering with The Trevor Project to prevent suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,...
Weekly Spark

It’s Not Just Chris Cornell: Suicide Rates Highest among Middle-Aged Men

May 26, 2017
NBC News White men between the ages of 45 and 65 account for a disproportionate share of the country’s suicide...
Weekly Spark

Comprehensive Suicide Prevention and Adverse Childhood Experiences

May 26, 2017
A recent commentary in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests that the prevention of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is “a compelling...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Communities Addressing Trauma and Community Strife Through Trauma-Informed Approaches

May 19, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting a monthly webinar series on communities that are working...
Weekly Spark

Cooperative Agreements to Implement Zero Suicide in Health Systems

May 19, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is accepting applications for Cooperative Agreements...
Weekly Spark

WYOMING: Three Years After Law Passes, Suicide Prevention Training in Schools Receives Favorable Response

May 19, 2017
Casper Star Tribune Since the passage of a 2014 law, Wyoming school districts have provided regular training in suicide prevention...
Weekly Spark

Suicides Prompt Medical Schools to Finally Address Student Mental Health

May 19, 2017
KQED Medical schools and residency programs across the country are increasing efforts to prevent suicide and promote mental health among...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist

May 19, 2017
A 2012 study revealed that implementation of the Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist (MHEOCC) reduced the suicide rate in...
Weekly Spark

13 Reasons Why Resources

May 19, 2017
SPRC has compiled a list of commonly asked questions about the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, along with resources to help parents, schools,...
Weekly Spark

Intervention Curbs New Suicide Attempts in At-Risk ED Patients

May 12, 2017
Medscape New research suggests that a combination of brief emergency department interventions administered during and after a visit can reduce...
Weekly Spark

Vermont Suicide Prevention Symposium

May 12, 2017
The Vermont Suicide Prevention Center (VTSPC) has announced that it will host the upcoming Vermont Suicide Prevention Symposium, which will focus...
Weekly Spark

Evaluation in Indian Country Part 2: GONA Fidelity

May 12, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) is hosting the second webinar in a two-part...
Weekly Spark

UK: Two-Thirds of Britons Have Had Mental Health Problems – Survey

May 12, 2017
The Guardian Nearly two-thirds of adults in the UK have experienced mental health problems, according to the results of a...
Weekly Spark

MICHIGAN: Oxford High School Students Begin Project Called “13 Reasons Why Not”

May 12, 2017
Oakland Press News In response to the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, a group of Michigan teens have launched a project...
Weekly Spark

Lethal Means Counseling by Physicians

May 12, 2017
An American Journal of Medicine commentary proposed that suicide in the United States could be reduced if physicians counseled at-risk individuals and...
Weekly Spark

The Experience of Living and Crisis Centers

May 05, 2017
SPRC Steering Committee member Bart Andrews has published a post on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network of Crisis Centers blog. The post...
Weekly Spark

Meeting Summary: Reducing the Incidence of Suicide in Indigenous Groups – Strengths United through Networks

May 05, 2017
In early March, the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR),...
Weekly Spark

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Prevention Week

May 05, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is holding its National Prevention Week from May 14 to 20. National Prevention...
Weekly Spark

May Is Mental Health Month

May 05, 2017
Mental Health America (MHA) is holding its annual Mental Health Month during the month of May. This year’s observance is focused on...
Weekly Spark

Set to Go: A JED Program

May 05, 2017
The Jed Foundation (JED) has released a new online resource called Set To Go to help prepare and guide teenagers through the...
Weekly Spark

A Teachable Moment: Using 13 Reasons Why to Initiate a Helpful Conversation about Suicide Prevention and Mental Health

May 05, 2017
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) recently partnered with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the National Association...
Weekly Spark

MONTANA: Anti-Suicide Bill’s Passage Has Personal Meaning for Sponsor

May 05, 2017
Independent Record A new suicide prevention bill has been signed into law by the Montana governor. The bill allocates $1...
Weekly Spark

How to Talk with Your Teen about “13 Reasons Why”

May 05, 2017
CBS News The popularity of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, a fictional account of a teenage girl’s suicide death, has...
Director's Corner

Learning from California

May 05, 2017
This month, I am proud to announce the publication of Creating Linguistically and Culturally Competent Suicide Prevention Materials. This new SPRC...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: “The Grief Can Damage Your Mental Health”

April 28, 2017
BBC News British charitable organizations are seeking to help the bereaved through peer support. By connecting individuals who have experienced...
Weekly Spark

VA Launches "New, Unique" Tool to Help Prevent Veteran Suicides

April 28, 2017
Stars and Stripes The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching a nationwide program to help identify veterans who may...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Attempts Treated in Emergency Departments

April 28, 2017
A large multi-year analysis of National Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) data confirmed what previous smaller studies have concluded about the...
Weekly Spark

Nightmares and Suicide: Empirical Evidence and Intervention with Imagery Rehearsal Therapy

April 28, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on nightmares and suicide risk. Michael R. Nadorff, assistant...
Weekly Spark

Community-Based Approaches to Suicide Prevention: New Resources and Future Directions

April 21, 2017
A recording of the recent National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) webinar on community-based approaches to suicide prevention has...
Weekly Spark

Out of the Darkness Overnight Walks in San Diego and Washington, D.C.

April 21, 2017
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has announced its annual Out of the Darkness Overnight Walks to raise awareness for suicide...
Weekly Spark

Exploring Self-directed Violence among Sexual and Gender Minority Veterans

April 21, 2017
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) is hosting a webinar on self-directed violence among...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Construction to Start on Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Prevention Net

April 21, 2017
NBC Bay Area Construction on the Golden Gate Bridge suicide prevention net began last week, following a three-year delay. The...
Weekly Spark

NEW JERSEY: New South Jersey Suicide Prevention Program Wants to Get People Talking

April 21, 2017
CBS Philly South Jersey social service and law enforcement representatives have collaborated on the development of a youth suicide prevention...
Weekly Spark

Drug and Alcohol Problems Linked to Increased Veteran Suicide Risk, Especially in Women

April 21, 2017
ScienceDaily A recent study found that substance use disorders may place veterans at increased risk for suicide, particularly among women....
Weekly Spark

Same-Sex Marriage Policies and Adolescent Suicide Attempts

April 21, 2017
An analysis of Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System data from 1999 to 2015 revealed that state policies permitting same-sex marriage...
From the Field

Surveillance Success Stories – Texas: Denton and Tarrant Counties

April 21, 2017
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of its latest Surveillance Success Story, which comes from the state of Texas. This...
Weekly Spark

Self-Harm Can Be a Harbinger of Suicide

April 14, 2017
HealthDay The results of a recent study suggest that adults who self-harm may be at higher risk for suicide in...
Weekly Spark

Alcohol Policies and Suicide

April 14, 2017
A review of the research concluded that policies restricting the availability of alcohol are associated with lower suicide rates. These...
Weekly Spark

ICRC-S Webinar: How Social Context Changes Individual Risk of Suicide

April 14, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on how social context changes individual risk of suicide....
Weekly Spark

Creating Linguistically and Culturally Competent Suicide Prevention Materials

April 14, 2017
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of its new guide, Creating Linguistically and Culturally Competent Suicide Prevention Materials. Developed in...
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Substance Use in Young People

April 14, 2017
The Jed Foundation (JED) is hosting a webinar on suicide and substance use in young people. JED Chief Medical Officer Victor Schwartz...
Weekly Spark

Evaluation in Indian Country Part 1: Honoring the GONA through Evaluation

April 14, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) is hosting part one of a two-part...
Weekly Spark

Data-Driven Quality Improvement in Zero Suicide

April 14, 2017
SPRC is hosting a webinar on data-driven quality improvement in Zero Suicide. The webinar will help participants (1) understand how data collection can...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: Culture Key to Suicide Prevention among Indigenous Australians, Experts Say, Ahead of Global Discussion

April 14, 2017
ABC News Suicide prevention experts are advocating for culturally competent approaches to preventing suicide among indigenous Australians. According to Healing...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Community Survey Gives Snapshot of Palo Alto Perception on Youth Suicide

April 14, 2017
The Mercury News A community collaborative in Palo Alto has carried out a survey to learn about local perceptions of...
Weekly Spark

Talking Points for New Netflix Series, 13 Reasons Why

April 07, 2017
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) has released a set of talking points to address suicide-related content in the new Netflix series, 13...
Weekly Spark

Safe States Alliance Annual Meeting Call for Abstracts

April 07, 2017
The Safe States Alliance has announced a call for abstracts for its next annual meeting, which will be held September 12 to 14 in...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Voice Awards Call for Nominations

April 07, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting nominations for the 2017 Voice Awards, which will honor...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: Suicide Rate among Defense Veterans Far Higher Than for Those Currently Serving

April 07, 2017
The Guardian A recent report found that current-serving members of the Australian Defense Force (ADF) have lower suicide rates, and...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: Feel Good Society Looks to Increase Mental Health Awareness

April 07, 2017
The Harvard Crimson Students at Harvard College have established a self-help group called the Feel Good Society that aims to...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Rates Are Rising Faster outside U.S. Cities

April 07, 2017
CBS News Suicide rates are higher in less urban areas of the U.S. than in more urban areas, and this...
Director's Corner

Changing the Story

April 07, 2017
I’m a commuter. Twenty-five miles and approximately an hour (two or three when it snows) one way every day for...
Weekly Spark

New Suicide Prevention Tools to Help Guide Communities

April 07, 2017
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and its partners from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP),...
Weekly Spark

Community-Based Approaches to Suicide Prevention: New Resources and Future Directions

March 31, 2017
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is hosting a webinar on new resources and future directions for community-based approaches...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Searching for an Indigenous-Driven Approach to Suicide Prevention

March 31, 2017
BBC News Indigenous leaders and health workers in Canada are calling for a long-term strategy to address suicide in their...
Weekly Spark

OREGON: New Approach to Suicide Prevention: Aim for Zero

March 31, 2017
The Bulletin Efforts to adopt the Zero Suicide Initiative at state, county, and community levels are underway in Oregon. The...
Weekly Spark

Why the White Middle Class is Dying Faster, Explained in Six Charts

March 31, 2017
Vox Researchers Anne Case and Angus Deaton have released a follow-up to their 2015 study documenting an increase in death...
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Alcohol Use during the Great Recession

March 31, 2017
According to a recent study, an increase in heavy alcohol use contributed to a rise in the suicide rate among...
Weekly Spark

Crisis Center Collaboration with Emergency Departments to Prevent Suicide

March 31, 2017
SPRC Senior Project Associate Adam Chu has published a post on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network of Crisis Centers blog. The post...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Use of Technology in Crisis and Behavioral Health Care

March 24, 2017
The National Council for Behavioral Health is hosting a webinar on the use of technology in crisis and behavioral health care, which...
Weekly Spark

Zero Suicide Organizational Self-Study and Workforce Survey Now Available Online

March 24, 2017
The Zero Suicide Organizational Self-Study and Workforce Survey are now available in electronic format on the Zero Suicide website. The Organizational Self-Study is designed to...
Weekly Spark

Arctic States Join Forces for Suicide Prevention

March 24, 2017
The Arctic Sounder Arctic states are collaborating on efforts to prevent suicide in northern indigenous communities. The Arctic Council has...
Weekly Spark

MICHIGAN: CAPS Expands Program, Releases New Suicide Prevention Videos

March 24, 2017
The Michigan Daily The University of Michigan is expanding its suicide prevention efforts across its campus. The university’s Counseling and...
Weekly Spark

AI Figured out the Word People Text When Their Suicide Risk Is High

March 24, 2017
Mashable Crisis Text Line is using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify words associated with suicide risk and improve the effectiveness...
Weekly Spark

Parental Psychiatric Disease and Risk of Suicide Attempts in Offspring

March 24, 2017
An analysis of a comprehensive dataset from Denmark revealed that people whose parents had a history of psychiatric illness or...
Weekly Spark

Creating Linguistically and Culturally Competent Suicide Prevention Materials

March 24, 2017
SPRC will be giving Weekly Spark subscribers a first look at our new guide, Creating Linguistically and Culturally Competent Suicide Prevention Materials. Developed...
From the Field

Surveillance Success Stories - Montana

March 24, 2017
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of its latest Surveillance Success Story, which comes from the state of Montana. This...
Weekly Spark

Trends in Suicide by Level of Urbanization—United States, 1999–2015

March 17, 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Injury Center has released new data in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on suicide...
Weekly Spark

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 2017 State Fact Sheets

March 17, 2017
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has released its 2017 state fact sheets, which break down national suicide statistics by...
Weekly Spark

Pre-Application Webinar: Cooperative Agreements to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

March 17, 2017
This one-hour webinar provides information on applying for cooperative agreements through the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention grant program, which is administered...
Weekly Spark

ENGLAND: Norfolk and Suffolk Mental Health Trust Develops New Suicide Plan

March 17, 2017
BBC News Following an increase in suicide deaths in the community, the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust (NSFT) has drawn...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: Suicides in Mass. Rise 40 Percent in a Decade

March 17, 2017
The Boston Globe According to a new report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the state’s suicide rate rose...
Weekly Spark

Veteran Teaches Therapists How to Talk about Gun Safety When Suicide’s a Risk

March 17, 2017
NPR A peer counselor at a Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center is teaching therapists how to discuss...
Weekly Spark

Suicide among Children and Early Adolescents

March 17, 2017
A study comparing children (aged 5 to 11) and early adolescents (aged 12 to 14) who died by suicide found...
Weekly Spark

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: Talking to Patients About Firearm Safety

March 10, 2017
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain MIRECC for VA Suicide Prevention is hosting a podcast series on suicide prevention....
Weekly Spark

Advancing Comprehensive Community Suicide Prevention: European Alliance Against Depression

March 10, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Public Health Agency of Canada, and Mental Health Commission of Canada...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: Strong Link Between Disadvantage and Suicide, Says Samaritans

March 10, 2017
The Guardian According to a new report from the suicide prevention organization Samaritans, there is a significant association between socioeconomic...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: CDC Report: Youth Suicide Rates in Santa Clara County Highest in Palo Alto, Morgan Hill

March 10, 2017
The Mercury News Following a one-year epidemiological investigation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a...
Weekly Spark

Can Facebook’s Machine-Learning Algorithms Accurately Predict Suicide?

March 10, 2017
Scientific American Facebook has just expanded the array of tools it provides to reach users at risk for suicide and...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Attempts and Dying by Suicide

March 10, 2017
A study found that 59.3 percent of people who died by suicide did so as a result of their first...
Weekly Spark

EDC Job Openings: Training and Technical Assistance Associates

March 03, 2017
EDC’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT), which is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services...
Weekly Spark

Interactive Screening Program Call for Applications

March 03, 2017
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has announced a call for applications for eligible college and university counseling centers to implement...
Weekly Spark

Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices

March 03, 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a technical package of policy, programs, and practices to help states and...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: National LGBTI Health Alliance Announce Suicide Prevention Strategy

March 03, 2017
OUTinPerth Australia’s National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) Health Alliance has released a mental health and suicide prevention...
Weekly Spark

Navy Launches New Suicide Prevention Program for All Sailors

March 03, 2017
News 4 JAX The Navy has announced the launch of a suicide prevention program that aims to provide continuous support...
Weekly Spark

This Photo Project is Redefining What Mental Illness Looks Like

March 03, 2017
VICE A mental health advocacy campaign has created a collection of free stock photographs to help reframe how mental illness...
Director's Corner

Changing the Prevention Paradigm

March 03, 2017
In 2012, I had the honor of working with former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin and a strong and able team...
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Epilepsy

February 24, 2017
A study found that the annual rate of suicide among people with epilepsy was 22 percent higher than that of...
Weekly Spark

Youth Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention: 2017 Resource Guide

February 24, 2017
The Children’s Safety Network (CSN) has released a resource guide on youth suicide and self-harm prevention. The guide organizes selected resources into...
Weekly Spark

Death from Suicide: A Look at 18 States

February 24, 2017
The Safe States Alliance has released a new report, Deaths from Suicide: A Look at 18 States, which is based on 2013 and 2014...
Weekly Spark

Uniting the Construction Industry behind Suicide Prevention

February 24, 2017
The Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) is hosting a webinar on uniting the construction industry behind suicide prevention. It will address the...
Weekly Spark

MICHIGAN: Medical Students Raise Awareness for High Physician Suicide Rates

February 24, 2017
Central Michigan Life A group of students at the Central Michigan University College of Medicine have helped launch a statewide...
Weekly Spark

For Seniors Fighting Grief or Depression, Friendship Line is a Listening Ear

February 24, 2017
The Christian Science Monitor A national crisis intervention hotline is providing specialized services to older adults in distress. The Friendship...
Weekly Spark

Railroads Institute More Measures to Help Prevent Suicides on Their Systems

February 24, 2017
Progressive Railroading The railroad industry has recently launched a number of initiatives to help prevent suicide within its systems, which...
Weekly Spark

Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Contest

February 17, 2017
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is accepting submissions for the Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Contest, which is...
Weekly Spark

Higher Education Suicide Prevention Coalition Annual Conference

February 17, 2017
The Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative (PAYSPI) will hold its second annual Higher Education Suicide Prevention Coalition (HESPC) conference on March 13–14...
Weekly Spark

Beacon Health Options White Paper

February 17, 2017
Beacon Health Options (Beacon) has released a white paper titled We Need to Talk about Suicide. The paper provides an overview...
Weekly Spark

Cooperative Agreements to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

February 17, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is accepting applications for fiscal year...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: UK Construction Industry Launches Suicide Awareness Initiative

February 17, 2017
Construction Dive Construction companies in the UK are collaborating on a new initiative to reduce suicide among workers. The Mates...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Ending Suicide Goal of a New Program in Western Colorado

February 17, 2017
Steamboat Today A mental health care provider in western Colorado has adopted the Zero Suicide Initiative. Mind Springs Health has...
Weekly Spark

Simple Intervention Proves Effective in Reducing Suicide among Active-Duty Soldiers

February 17, 2017
HealthCanal A recent study found that crisis response planning was more effective at reducing suicide attempts among high-risk active duty...
Weekly Spark

Firearm Ownership and Suicide

February 17, 2017
The authors of a state-by-state analysis “found a strong relationship between state-level firearm ownership and firearm suicide rates among both...
Weekly Spark

Poisoning and Self-Injury Mortality: Can Reclassification of Drug Deaths Lead to Improved Prevention?

February 17, 2017
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is hosting a webinar on poisoning and self-injury mortality. It will be led...
Weekly Spark

Patients at Risk of Suicide: What Emergency Departments Need to Know

February 17, 2017
SPRC is pleased to announce the release of an expert presentation, Patients at Risk of Suicide: What Emergency Departments Need to...
Weekly Spark

Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Programs Field Review

February 10, 2017
CARF International (CARF) has invited participation in a field review of proposed new standards for Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Programs. The final standards...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: The Relationship between Chronic Pain and Suicide-Related Outcomes

February 10, 2017
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) is hosting a webinar on the relationship between...
Weekly Spark

Military Suicide Research Consortium Funding Announcement

February 10, 2017
The Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC) is currently accepting letters of intent for clinical/non-clinical studies and secondary analyses of the...
Weekly Spark

ENGLAND: Student Nurses Receive ‘Mental Health First Aid’ Training

February 10, 2017
Nursing Times A university in England has announced that it will offer training in mental health first aid to all...
Weekly Spark

ILLINOIS: Mental Health Crisis Training Given to Chicago’s First Responders

February 10, 2017
NBC 5 Chicago Mental health crisis intervention training is being rolled out to Chicago’s first responders, including members of the...
Weekly Spark

Lost in the Middle

February 10, 2017
Proto Magazine A rise in suicide rates among middle-aged Americans has prompted researchers to investigate factors that may account for...
Weekly Spark

Risk Factors among Adolescents

February 10, 2017
An analysis of data from the 2010 Minnesota Student Survey developed risk profiles for four groups of students in the...
Director's Corner

One Issue, One Goal

February 03, 2017
In January, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) announced that it will join with others to reduce the annual...
Weekly Spark

Cohort 2 of the Child Safety Collaborative Innovation and Improvement Network

February 02, 2017
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), in cooperation with the Children's Safety Network...
Weekly Spark

Emergency Department Visits Related to Suicidal Ideation, 2006–2013

February 02, 2017
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) has released a statistical brief on emergency department visits...
Weekly Spark

Leading Suicide Prevention Efforts Unite to Address Rising National Suicide Rate

February 02, 2017
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance), the public-private partnership working to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention,...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: How Recruiting Men as Ambassadors Can Combat Stigma about Mental Health in Asian Community

February 02, 2017
CBC News A research study in Canada has recruited more than 500 men of Asian descent to help reduce the...
Weekly Spark

OHIO: Traveling Art Exhibition ‘Signs of Suicide’ Debuts in Dayton

February 02, 2017
Dayton Daily News A community art exhibition intended to spread awareness about suicide prevention recently debuted in Dayton, Ohio. Signs of...
Weekly Spark

Gun Stores Hear a Bold Pitch at Top Firearms Trade Show: Suicide Prevention

February 02, 2017
The Trace The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) are collaborating on a nationwide...
Weekly Spark

New SAVE Media Reporting Tools

January 26, 2017
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) has released two new tools for media reporting on violence, which were recently developed...
Weekly Spark

UTAH: Plan Calls for Utah to Reduce Number of Suicides 10 Percent by 2021

January 26, 2017
The Salt Lake Tribune Utah has released a suicide prevention plan that aims to reduce the state’s suicide rate 10...
Weekly Spark

MISSOURI: ‘Homefront’ Increases Mental Health Resources for Area Veterans, Families

January 26, 2017
Flatland A new educational program in Missouri seeks to help families of veterans and service members with mental health conditions....
Weekly Spark

Military and Social Media Minds Meet about Suicide Prevention at Pentagon

January 26, 2017
U.S. News and World Report Military representatives, suicide prevention professionals, and social media experts recently gathered to discuss strategies to...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention in the Israeli Military

January 26, 2017
According to the results of a recent evaluation, there was a 57 percent drop in the suicide rate among the...
Weekly Spark

Supporting Lifeline—The National Effort to Prevent Suicide

January 20, 2017
The National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) is hosting a webinar on National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) membership. Content...
Weekly Spark

Cooperative Agreements for Tribal Behavioral Health

January 20, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services and Center for Substance Abuse Prevention...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA 13th Annual Prevention Day

January 20, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will convene its 13th Annual Prevention Day in conjunction with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of...
Weekly Spark

INDIA: When There’s No Therapist, How Can the Depressed Find Help?

January 20, 2017
NPR Seeking to address India’s behavioral health care shortage, a nonprofit organization is training members of the community in mental...
Weekly Spark

MONTANA: Montana Team Recommends Hospitals Add Depression Screening to Patient Questionnaires

January 20, 2017
Billings Gazette Mental health officials in Montana have recommended that health care providers screen patients for depression and suicide risk....
Weekly Spark

Attempted Suicide Rates, Risk Groups Essentially Unchanged, New Study Shows

January 20, 2017
ScienceDaily A recent analysis of national emergency department data found that rates and patterns of non-fatal suicide attempts in the...
Weekly Spark

Online Gatekeeping and Email Consultation

January 20, 2017
A study in Japan used online search-related advertisements to identify people at risk for suicide and offer them email consultations...
Weekly Spark

ICRC-S Webinar: Understanding Data and Prevention Strategies for Addressing Suicide Deaths among Children Ages 10–14

January 20, 2017
This webinar is the first in the ICRC-S 2017 series exploring critical issues in suicide prevention research and practice. Sally Curtin, coauthor...
Weekly Spark

WISQARS 2015 Data Now Available

January 13, 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated its Web-Based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS)...
Weekly Spark

Action Alliance Webinar: The Role of Faith Communities in Suicide Prevention

January 13, 2017
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and its Faith Communities Task Force are hosting a webinar on the role of faith...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Job Opening: Manager of Health and Behavioral Health Care Initiatives

January 13, 2017
SPRC, located within the Center for the Study and Prevention of Injury, Violence and Suicide at EDC, has an opening for a full-time...
Weekly Spark

ZIMBABWE: ‘Friendship Bench’ Program Proves Effective at Alleviating Mental Illness Symptoms

January 13, 2017
ScienceDaily According to a recently published randomized controlled trial, a mental health intervention delivered by lay health workers may have...
Weekly Spark

New Veterans Crisis Line Expansion Nearly Doubles Suicide Prevention Staff

January 13, 2017
Military Times In an effort to improve its capacity to serve veterans and service members who are suicidal, the Department...
Weekly Spark

Gun Owner Groups, Health Professionals Team up to Prevent Suicides

January 13, 2017
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health News Firearms stakeholders and public health practitioners across the country are collaborating on...
Weekly Spark

Sexual Orientation, Race, and Suicide Risk

January 13, 2017
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) first-year college students have a higher risk of suicide than their heterosexual peers, according to...
Weekly Spark

ICRC-S Webinar: Initiating Collaborations and Building Community Partnerships

January 13, 2017
This ICRC-S Community of Practice webinar will focus on how to develop and sustain research collaborations for suicide prevention and describe purposes,...
Weekly Spark

Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors Team Conference

January 06, 2017
The seventh annual Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team Conference will take place from April 24 to 25, 2017 in Phoenix,...
Weekly Spark

International Summit on Suicide Research

January 06, 2017
The International Summit on Suicide Research, organized by the International Academy of Suicide Research (IASR) and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention...
Weekly Spark

UTAH: Thousands of Utah Kids Using Suicide Intervention App to Get Help

January 06, 2017
The Salt Lake Tribune A free smartphone app has made crisis counseling and suicide prevention services available to youth across...
Weekly Spark

RHODE ISLAND: Rhode Island Police Learn How to Respond to People Struggling with Mental Illness

January 06, 2017
WBUR Rhode Island is among the first states to require that all new law enforcement officials receive training in mental...
Weekly Spark

Simple Checklist Leads to 82% Drop in Mental Health Patient Suicides

January 06, 2017
Good News Network A checklist designed to reduce environmental hazards at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) inpatient mental health units...
Director's Corner

Community Interventions to Reduce Suicide in Later Life

January 06, 2017
We in the field of suicide prevention have worked hard to educate health care providers, policymakers, and the public about...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at Suicide Prevention in 2016

December 29, 2016
Welcome to the final Weekly Spark of 2016! In this edition, we look back at some of the year’s most significant developments...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at New SPRC Resources in 2016

December 29, 2016
Safe Reporting on Suicide SPARK Talk, March 11 Common Ground: Reducing Gun Access SPARK Talk, March 11 Preventing Suicide in...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at Director’s Corners in 2016

December 29, 2016
Identity as Strength among LGBTQ Youth, Ashby Dodge, January 7 Changing the Conversation, Jerry Reed, September 2 Mental Health Courts:...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at Research Summaries in 2016

December 29, 2016
Effects of Therapy on Suicide Attempts, Lancet Psychiatry, March 18 The Cost of Suicidal Behavior, Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, April 8 Suicide...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at National News in 2016

December 29, 2016
Facebook Creates New Support Tool to Help People Who Are Suicidal, The Mighty, April 15 U.S. Suicide Rate up 24 Percent...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at State and Community News in 2016

December 29, 2016
MASSACHUSETTS: Flying Away from Stigma: Logan Exhibit Displays Stories of Mental Illness, The Boston Globe, December 16 VERMONT: Vermont Gun Shop...
Weekly Spark

A Look Back at International News in 2016

December 29, 2016
JAPAN: Landmark New Laws Put Suicide Prevention Front and Center, The Japan Times, April 29 ENGLAND: Improvements in NHS Mental Health...
Weekly Spark

Walking Softly to Heal: The Importance of Community Readiness

December 16, 2016
In collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Tribal and Technical Assistance Center (SAMHSA TTAC), SPRC has...
Weekly Spark

Planned and Impulsive Suicide Attempts

December 16, 2016
A study in South Korea revealed differences in people who planned suicide attempts compared to those who attempted suicide impulsively....
Weekly Spark

Stopping Suicides on Campus

December 16, 2016
Scientific American Colleges and universities across the U.S. are adopting new methods for addressing mental health issues and preventing suicide...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: Flying Away from Stigma: Logan Exhibit Displays Stories of Mental Illness

December 16, 2016
The Boston Globe A new exhibit at Boston’s Logan Airport aims to reduce the negative bias associated with mental illness...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Caltrain Joins Texting Suicide Prevention Effort

December 16, 2016
Palo Alto Patch Caltrain has announced that it is partnering with Crisis Text Line to offer crisis services to its...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Job Opening: Training and Technical Assistance Associate

December 16, 2016
SPRC has an opening for a Training & Technical Assistance Associate (II), located within the Center for the Study and...
Weekly Spark

World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention

December 16, 2016
The 29th World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) will take place from July 18 to 22, 2017 in Kuching,...
Weekly Spark

White Mountain Apache Tribe Decreases Suicide Deaths and Attempts

December 09, 2016
A comprehensive suicide surveillance and prevention program has decreased the suicide rate among the White Mountain Apache Tribe during a...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Experts Urge States to Tweak Background Check Laws to Account for Emergency Gun Transfers

December 09, 2016
The Trace Policies on universal background checks may affect efforts to reduce firearm suicides, according to a new paper published...
Weekly Spark

TEXAS: Clinics Keep People with Serious Mental Illness out of ER

December 09, 2016
Kaiser Health News A transitional care clinic in San Antonio is providing short-term treatment to individuals with serious mental illness...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Aiming for Zero: A New Approach to Suicide Prevention

December 09, 2016
Healthy Debate A hospital in Ontario is piloting the Zero Suicide Initiative in its adult ambulatory care program, which serves...
Weekly Spark

Mortality in the United States, 2015

December 09, 2016
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a National Center for Health Statistics data brief that contains U.S. mortality...
Weekly Spark

An Update on Suicidal Behavior in Youth: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

December 09, 2016
The University of Pittsburgh Services for Teens at Risk Center (STAR-Center) is hosting its 30th anniversary research symposium, designed to provide...
Weekly Spark

Physician and Medical Student Depression and Suicide Prevention

December 09, 2016
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and Mayo Clinic have launched an initiative to prevent physician and medical trainee...
Weekly Spark

Evidence-Based Management of Suicide Risk Behavior: A Guideline Perspective

December 09, 2016
The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) is hosting a webinar on evidence-based management of suicide...
Weekly Spark

National Institute of Mental Health Director’s Message

December 09, 2016
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Director Joshua Gordon has identified suicide prevention as a particular area of interest that...
Weekly Spark

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Suicide Prevention in High-Risk Populations

December 09, 2016
The Clinical Psychology Training Consortium in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (DPHB) at the Alpert Medical School of...
Director's Corner

Preventing Suicide among Men in the Middle Years

December 02, 2016
In gatekeeper training, we learn to ask a hard question: Have you been thinking about suicide? I would like to...
Weekly Spark

DOD Launches Confidential Peer-Support Service for Soldiers, Families

December 02, 2016
DoD News The U.S. Department of Defense has established a peer support call and outreach center for active duty service...
Weekly Spark

ARIZONA: Community Prevention Plan Slashes Apache Tribe’s Suicide Rate

December 02, 2016
Psych Central According to new research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the White Mountain Apache Tribe...
Weekly Spark

After a Suicide: The Zero Suicide Approach to Postvention in Health and Behavioral Health Care Settings

December 02, 2016
SPRC is hosting a webinar that will examine how health and behavioral health care organizations respond following a patient suicide death. Health...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Job Opening: Coordinator of Tribal Initiatives

December 02, 2016
SPRC has an opening for a Coordinator of Tribal Initiatives, located within the Center for the Prevention of Injury, Violence, and...
Weekly Spark

National Council for Behavioral Health Conference

December 02, 2016
The National Council for Behavioral Health is hosting its annual conference from April 3 to 5, 2017 in Seattle, Wash. Speakers will...
Weekly Spark

Cyberbullying, Social Networking, and Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents

November 17, 2016
A study found that 11- to 20-year-old Canadian youth who used social networking sites (such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) were...
Weekly Spark

Veterans May Face Higher Risk of Suicide during First Year Home

November 17, 2016
Reuters New research indicates that veterans may be at increased risk for suicide in the first year after separation from...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Community Paramedics Work to Link Patients with Mental Health Care

November 17, 2016
Kaiser Health News A pilot program in Modesto, California aims to supplement mental health care services with community paramedics who...
Weekly Spark

MISSOURI: Officers Train for Mental Health Crises

November 17, 2016
Columbia Daily Tribune In an effort to improve responses to mental health crises, law enforcement officers in Missouri have received...
Weekly Spark

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

November 17, 2016
Saturday, November 19 marks International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, an occasion for people affected by suicide loss to gather together...
Weekly Spark

Injury Data Fact Sheets

November 17, 2016
The Children’s Safety Network (CSN) has released state-by-state injury data fact sheets for 2016 that contain analyses of childhood injury fatalities and...
Weekly Spark

Virtual Learning Lab: Campus Suicide Prevention

November 10, 2016
SPRC is pleased to announce the launch of its new interactive, online tool, Virtual Learning Lab: Campus Suicide Prevention, which assists...
Weekly Spark

Youth Suicide and Firearm Child Access Laws

November 10, 2016
An analysis of 30 years of suicide data for all 50 states revealed that (1) state legislation requiring a minimum...
Weekly Spark

Construction Industry Grapples with Suicide Epidemic

November 10, 2016
Builder The construction industry has the second highest suicide rate of any occupational group in the U.S., according to recent...
Weekly Spark

MONTANA: Montana Suicide Review Team Recommends More Support, Training, Screenings

November 10, 2016
Missoulian With suicide rates consistently among the highest in the country, Montana aims to use surveillance data to inform its...
Weekly Spark

Tools from the CAPT: Increasing Cultural Competence to Reduce Behavioral Health Disparities

November 10, 2016
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT) has released Tools from...
Director's Corner

Senator Harry Reid: A Lifetime of Service to Suicide Prevention

November 04, 2016
When the 114th Congress adjourns in January, it will mark the end of the congressional career of Senator Harry Reid...
Weekly Spark

Why Suicide Keeps Rising for Middle-Aged Men

November 04, 2016
U.S. News & World Report According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), middle-aged men account for a...
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: ‘NYC Well’ is NYC’s New 24/7 Mental Health Hotline

November 04, 2016
Gothamist New York City has established a new mental health hotline called NYC Well that provides free, confidential, around-the-clock assistance...
Weekly Spark

WISCONSIN: Wisconsin Veterans Affairs Launches Suicide Prevention Plan

November 04, 2016
Channel3000.com The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is launching a program to address mental health issues and suicide among the...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Job Opening: Manager of National Partner Initiatives

November 04, 2016
SPRC has an opening for a full-time Manager of National Partner Initiatives who will manage a team that, among other...
Weekly Spark

Death Rates for Motor Vehicle Traffic Injury, Suicide, and Homicide among Children and Adolescents Aged 10–14

November 04, 2016
Data published in the November 4th edition of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report describe...
Weekly Spark

Resources, Innovations, and Partnerships: Supporting the Wellness of Military Children and Their Families

November 04, 2016
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting a webinar on resources, innovations, and partnerships to support the wellness of...
Weekly Spark

American Journal of Preventive Medicine Supplement on National Violent Death Reporting System

November 04, 2016
The November 2016 supplement of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine highlights research that uses National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) data to better...
Weekly Spark

Walking with Youth: Trauma-Informed, Culturally-Based Justice and Healing

November 04, 2016
The U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Tribal Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center is holding a tribal...
From the Field

Surveillance Success Stories - Fort Peck Indian Reservation

October 31, 2016
Following a suicide cluster in 2010, tribal leaders on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana began collecting data to...
Weekly Spark

New Video and Report on Suicide among Men in the Middle Years

October 27, 2016
SPRC has just released a new SPARK Talk (short video), Men in the Middle Years, and the report, Preventing Suicide among Men in...
Weekly Spark

Insomnia and Suicide Attempts

October 27, 2016
Recent research indicates that middle-aged and older adults (aged 44 to 87) with depression who also report suicidal ideation and...
Weekly Spark

Instagram Aims to Prevent Suicide and Self-Harm with New Tool

October 27, 2016
The Wall Street Journal Instagram has rolled out a tool designed to prevent suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders, which allows...
Weekly Spark

PENNSYLVANIA: Graphic Design Students Develop Suicide Awareness Posters

October 27, 2016
The Express Pennsylvania College of Technology graphic design students have completed a project to spread awareness about suicide prevention and...
Weekly Spark

NEW JERSEY: Stress Management and Active Listening Training Now Available for Rescue Squads

October 27, 2016
TAP into New Providence Caring Contact, a crisis hotline and listening community that serves Central and Northern New Jersey, has...
Weekly Spark

Preventing and Responding to Suicide Clusters in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities Report

October 27, 2016
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a report that highlights the effects of suicide clusters on American...
Weekly Spark

A Man’s Journey: Learning, Loving, and Living through Life’s Challenges

October 27, 2016
The Carson J. Spencer Foundation is hosting a Twitter chat that will focus on building skills for men’s mental wellness, in which men...
Weekly Spark

University of Rochester Fellowship in Suicide Prevention Research

October 27, 2016
The University of Rochester Medical Center Department of Psychiatry Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide (CSPS) is seeking applicants...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention: Creating a Safer Culture

October 27, 2016
The Lancet has published an editorial advocating for the creation of a safer culture for suicide prevention. It discusses the findings of two...
Weekly Spark

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Task Force Final Report

October 27, 2016
In March of this year, President Obama established the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force to ensure that Americans...
Weekly Spark

Center Communications and Product Development Director Job Opportunity at EDC

October 20, 2016
The Center for the Study and Prevention of Injury, Violence, and Suicide (CSPIVS) has an opening in Waltham, Mass., for...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Attempt History and Risk Assessment

October 20, 2016
Forty percent of college students who reported a suicide attempt on a single-item survey were found not to have attempted...
Weekly Spark

NIH Panel Unveils New Plan to Stop Youth Suicide

October 20, 2016
Medscape A panel of independent experts convened by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has published a set of recommendations...
Weekly Spark

NORTH DAKOTA: Spirit Lake Nation Battles Youth Suicide

October 20, 2016
The Bismarck Tribune In response to rising rates of suicide among its young people, North Dakota’s Spirit Lake Tribe is...
Weekly Spark

GUYANA: How Guyana Is Trying to Combat Its High Suicide Rate

October 20, 2016
BBC News Efforts are underway to improve mental health outcomes and reduce suicide deaths in Guyana, which has the highest...
Weekly Spark

Postdoctoral Fellowships Focusing on Suicide Research

October 20, 2016
The Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC) is seeking two postdoctoral fellows to conduct research on the prediction, treatment, and prevention...
Weekly Spark

Indian Health Service Announces New Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative Generation-Indigenous Awards

October 20, 2016
The Indian Health Service (IHS) has announced 42 Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI) funding awards to tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian...
Weekly Spark

Epilepsy and the Risk of Suicide Attempts

October 14, 2016
A study in the United Kingdom found that people with epilepsy are at increased risk for suicide attempts both before...
Weekly Spark

New Website Launched by Mass. Organization Teaches How to ‘Stop a Suicide Today’

October 14, 2016
WBUR Stop a Suicide Today, a national campaign that encourages individuals to take action to prevent suicide, was launched last...
Weekly Spark

IDAHO: Idaho Launches Statewide Suicide Prevention Program

October 14, 2016
Huron Daily Tribune In collaboration with suicide prevention advocates, Idaho lawmakers have passed legislation to establish a state Office of...
Weekly Spark

ENGLAND AND WALES: Police to Get New Guidance for Responding to People with Mental Health Issues

October 14, 2016
Belfast Telegraph Police forces in England and Wales will be provided with new official guidelines for handling issues related to...
Weekly Spark

Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant

October 14, 2016
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year...
Weekly Spark

Planning and Developing Infrastructure to Improve the Mental Health and Wellness of Children, Youth, and Families in American Indian/Alaska Natives Communities

October 14, 2016
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year...
Weekly Spark

Indian Country Child Trauma Center Training Opportunity

October 14, 2016
The Indian Country Child Trauma Center has openings for its upcoming Project Making Medicine Training taking place November 1–4, which offers training...
Director's Corner

Mental Health Courts: Raising the Bar for Suicide Prevention

October 07, 2016
In 1997, Broward County Florida established the first mental health court in the United States. This court was created to...
Weekly Spark

More Child Suicides Are Linked to A.D.D. Than Depression, Study Suggests

October 06, 2016
The New York Times While suicide death among children under the age of 12 is rare, little is known about...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: Boston Municipal Workers to Be Trained in Suicide Prevention

October 06, 2016
The Boston Globe The city of Boston is partnering with the suicide prevention organization Samaritans to provide gatekeeper training to...
Weekly Spark

NEBRASKA: Local Gun Range Partners with Suicide Coalition on Prevention

October 06, 2016
Lincoln Journal Star The Lincoln-Lancaster County Suicide Prevention Coalition is partnering with BigShots, a local gun range and firearms retailer,...
Weekly Spark

Better Suicide Screening and Prevention Are Possible

October 06, 2016
Michael F. Hogan, co-lead of the Zero Suicide Advisory Group and independent advisor and consultant for Hogan Health Solutions, has...
Weekly Spark

Military Suicide Research Consortium Pre-Conference Research Training Day

October 06, 2016
The Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC) has announced the third annual MSRC Pre-Conference Research Training Day, which will be held Wednesday,...
Weekly Spark

Advanced Fellowship in Veteran Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

October 06, 2016
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention and the affiliated University of...
Weekly Spark

World Mental Health Day Online Conference

October 06, 2016
Rick and Kay Warren of Saddleback Church are hosting a free online global event in honor of World Mental Health Day, which...
Weekly Spark

Data Linkage Strategies to Advance Youth Suicide Prevention

October 06, 2016
The Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published...
Weekly Spark

SPRC Launches New SPARK Talks

September 30, 2016
SPRC has launched two new SPARK Talks—Short, Provocative, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Knowledgeable videos of leaders in suicide prevention. Men in the Middle Years features psychiatrist Jeff Sung,...
Weekly Spark

Military Sexual Trauma and Suicide Mortality

September 30, 2016
An analysis of Veterans Health Administration data found that both women and men who experienced military sexual trauma (that is,...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Attempt a Stronger Predictor of Completed Suicide than Previously Thought

September 30, 2016
ScienceDaily While a history of suicide attempt is understood to be a risk factor for suicide death, a new study...
Weekly Spark

INTERNATIONAL: Alcohol Policies Contribute to Suicide Prevention, Review Shows

September 30, 2016
Medical Xpress According to an international review, policies intended to restrict the use of alcohol may reduce the risk of...
Weekly Spark

Making Health Care Better Series on Suicide Prevention

September 30, 2016
On September 29, the White House held the “Making Health Care Better Series on Suicide Prevention,” which convened leaders in...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Promising Evidence-Based Interventions for Suicide Prevention among Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury

September 30, 2016
The Veterans Health Administration is hosting a webinar on evidence-based interventions for suicide prevention among veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI). These...
Weekly Spark

National Institute of Mental Health Request for Information: Guidance for Opportunities in Suicide Research Using Existing Datasets

September 30, 2016
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has issued a request for information that seeks to 1) identify existing datasets as a means...
Weekly Spark

Healthy Men Michigan

September 30, 2016
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is funding a study, led by Dr. Jodi Jacobson Frey of the...
Weekly Spark

Preventing Suicide in Emergency Department Patients

September 23, 2016
SPRC has launched a new online course, Preventing Suicide in Emergency Department Patients. This self-paced course teaches health care professionals who work...
Weekly Spark

ICRC-S Community of Practice Webinar

September 23, 2016
This webinar will include the presentations, “Opportunities for the Strategic Use of Suicide Prevention Communications” and “Sleep Disturbance and Its Relationship to...
Weekly Spark

Firearm Availability and Suicide

September 23, 2016
The authors of a review of the research on firearm availability and firearm suicide concluded that “firearm restrictions, including permit...
Weekly Spark

Community Matters in Suicide Prevention, Study Finds

September 23, 2016
University of Chicago News While social connectedness is generally considered to play a protective role in suicide risk, recent research...
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: State Initiative Seeks to Stop Suicides

September 23, 2016
Watertown Daily Times The New York State Office of Mental Health has announced a statewide plan to integrate suicide prevention...
Weekly Spark

DENMARK: Parents’ Psychiatric Disease Linked to Kids’ Risk of Suicide Attempt, Violent Offending

September 23, 2016
ScienceDaily According to a study recently published in JAMA Psychiatry, parental history of mental illness is associated with an increased risk...
Weekly Spark

Advancing Comprehensive Community Suicide Prevention: An Overview

September 23, 2016
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Mental Health Commission of Canada are...
Weekly Spark

EDC CSPIVS Zero Suicide Institute Job Opportunity

September 23, 2016
The Center for the Study and Prevention of Injury, Violence, and Suicide within EDC’s Health and Human Development Division has an opening...
Weekly Spark

Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior among Adults: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

September 23, 2016
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a report on suicidal thoughts and behavior among adults based on...
Weekly Spark

Patients with Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits Involving Suicide Attempts Who Left against Medical Advice

September 23, 2016
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality has released a report on patients...
Weekly Spark

CARF International Quality Practice Notice on Suicide Prevention

September 23, 2016
CARF International has announced the release of a complimentary resource for health and human service providers titled Quality Practice Notice on Suicide...
Weekly Spark

National Institute of Mental Health Funding Opportunity Announcements

September 23, 2016
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has issued the following funding opportunity announcements: Applied Research Toward Zero Suicide Healthcare Systems:...
Weekly Spark

An Unusual Alliance to Curb Gun Suicides

September 16, 2016
The Christian Science Monitor In an attempt to curb high rates of firearm suicide, gun rights advocates and mental health...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: How Wellesley Plans to Address Suicide among Its Asian American Students

September 16, 2016
WBUR Starting this fall, Wellesley College will implement a suicide prevention intervention for Asian American students that will include culturally...
Weekly Spark

ISRAEL: Teens to Train in Suicide Prevention

September 16, 2016
The Jerusalem Post Approximately 2,000 members of the Israeli National Service and Council of Youth Movements are slated to receive...
Weekly Spark

EDC CSPIVS Job Opportunity

September 16, 2016
The Center for the Study and Prevention of Injury, Violence, and Suicide (CSPIVS) within the Health and Human Development Division...
Weekly Spark

Presidential Proclamation for World Suicide Prevention Day 2016

September 16, 2016
The White House has issued a Presidential Proclamation for World Suicide Prevention Day 2016. It states, “World Suicide Prevention Day is...
Weekly Spark

National Wellness Week

September 16, 2016
National Wellness Week is September 11–17. Celebrated annually during the third week of September, National Wellness Week is part of...
Weekly Spark

The Glendon Association Suicide Prevention Webinars

September 16, 2016
In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, the Glendon Association is hosting two webinars with experts on suicide prevention. On September...
Weekly Spark

Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention: Current Perspectives

September 16, 2016
The Office of Regional Operations of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is hosting a webinar that aims to build knowledge...
Weekly Spark

Healthy Minds Network Webinar: Sexual Assault and Mental Health on College Campuses

September 16, 2016
This webinar will feature Katie Buchholz, a clinical psychologist conducting research at the VA Ann Arbor, and Holly Rider-Milkovich, Director of the University...
Weekly Spark

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Job Opportunity

September 16, 2016
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has an opening in its Standards, Training, and Practices Division for a Coordinator for Best Practices...
Weekly Spark

Parental Death and Suicide

September 16, 2016
A large study in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland found that people who experienced the death of a parent before age...
Weekly Spark

Prescription Drug Misuse and Suicidal Ideation

September 09, 2016
An analysis of data from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found a significant association between the...
Weekly Spark

6 Myths about Suicide that Every Parent and Educator Should Know

September 09, 2016
NPR Common misconceptions about suicide can make it difficult for parents, school staff, and medical professionals to accurately identify young...
Weekly Spark

This Video Powerfully Shows Why Men Need to Talk about Mental Health

September 09, 2016
The Huffington Post In observance of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, the Movember Foundation has launched a public...
Weekly Spark

Survey: Financing Suicide Care

September 09, 2016
SPRC and the National Council for Behavioral Health have launched a financing suicide care survey for community behavioral health providers, including outpatient...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: The Relationship of Sleep Disturbance to Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors: An Opportunity for Intervention

September 09, 2016
This webinar will review the literature regarding the relationship between sleep and suicidal thoughts and behaviors, including ongoing work on the development...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity for National Native Health Research Training Initiative

September 09, 2016
The Indian Health Service (IHS) has announced a funding opportunity for a new project, the National Native Health Research Training Initiative. When...
Weekly Spark

Strengthening Our Future: Key Elements to Developing a Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice Diversion Program for Youth with Behavioral Health Conditions

September 02, 2016
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a report that presents the current understanding of child trauma in...
Director's Corner

Changing the Conversation

September 02, 2016
September is an important month for suicide prevention. World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, 2016) and National Suicide Prevention Week...
Weekly Spark

First of Its Kind Study of "Sexual Minority" Youth Finds Them at Risk of Violence

September 02, 2016
ABC News According to a recent report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sexual minority...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Golden Gate Bridge Partners with Crisis Text Line in Suicide Prevention Effort

September 02, 2016
CBS Local The Golden Gate Bridge District has formed a partnership with Crisis Text Line to bolster existing crisis and...
Weekly Spark

ENGLAND: ‘Andys Man Club’: The Male Suicide Prevention Group Smashing Stigma and Proving #ItsOkayToTalk

September 02, 2016
The Huffington Post UK A UK support group for men that seeks to address high rates of male suicide and...
Weekly Spark

CDC Grand Rounds: Preventing Suicide through a Comprehensive Public Health Approach

September 02, 2016
In the new issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released...
Weekly Spark

Striving for Perfection in Suicide Care: The Zero Suicide Framework

September 02, 2016
As part of Suicide Prevention Week, Faculty from the Zero Suicide Institute are pleased to participate in a webinar, “Striving...
Weekly Spark

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Workplace Task Force Series on Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry

September 02, 2016
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Workplace Task Force has published a two-part series on suicide prevention in the...
Weekly Spark

Webinar Series: Recognizing and Addressing Suicidal Ideation and Behavior in Individuals with a First Episode of Psychosis

September 02, 2016
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) has sponsored a two-part series...
Weekly Spark

The Impact of Physical Pain on Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

August 19, 2016
A meta-analysis of 31 studies confirmed that “physical pain is a consistent risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors” and...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention: Access to Behavioral Health Services Lacking

August 19, 2016
Health Affairs Blog A recent analysis of health care utilization among people experiencing suicidal and self-harm behaviors indicates that access...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Making an Impact: Drama Students Address Mental Health, Suicide Prevention through Poetry and Skits

August 19, 2016
The Fresno Bee High school students participating in a youth theater program in Fresno County, California created and performed in...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: A New Prevention Program Uses Nine Strategies to Reduce Suicide Rates

August 19, 2016
The Huffington Post Australia A new evidence-based systems approach to suicide prevention will be rolled out in communities across the...
Weekly Spark

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Releases Data on Health Risks of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) High School Students

August 19, 2016
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on the health risks of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB)...
Weekly Spark

Operations Director Job Opportunity at EDC

August 19, 2016
The Center for the Study and Prevention of Injury, Violence, and Suicide (CSPIVS) has an opening in Washington, D.C., or...
Weekly Spark

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Shooting Sports Foundation Partner to Help Prevent Suicide

August 19, 2016
A new partnership between the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) will allow...
Weekly Spark

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Job Vacancy

August 19, 2016
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Suicide Prevention Branch has a job opening for a Public Health Advisor,...
Weekly Spark

World Suicide Prevention Day Activities Report

August 19, 2016
Dan Reidenberg, who serves as U.S. representative to the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), is collecting information on activities...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Assessment in Psychiatric Emergency Departments

August 12, 2016
Research suggests that using standardized assessments may improve the ability of mental health clinicians in psychiatric emergency departments to detect...
Weekly Spark

Crisis Text Line Takes Suicide Prevention into the Age of Texting

August 12, 2016
USA Today The national service Crisis Text Line (text 741-741), which provides anonymous and confidential crisis counseling via text message, has...
Weekly Spark

ILLINOIS: “Wellness Chair Program” To Be Implemented in 50 Student Groups Next Fall

August 12, 2016
The Daily Northwestern Starting next fall, individuals trained in suicide prevention, active listening, and mental health awareness will be placed...
Weekly Spark

GERMANY: Psychiatry on Closed and Open Wards: The Suicide Risk Remains the Same

August 12, 2016
ScienceDaily Psychiatric clinics with an open-door policy did not have a higher risk of patient suicide or absconding from treatment...
Weekly Spark

New Collaboration Promotes the Faith.Hope.Life Campaign in Faith Communities

August 12, 2016
The The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention's Faith Communities Task Force has linked with the National Council for Suicide...
Weekly Spark

VA Releases Report on Nation’s Largest Analysis of Veteran Suicide

August 12, 2016
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released its findings from the nation’s most comprehensive analysis of veteran suicide rates in the...
Weekly Spark

Annual Conference of the American Association of Suicidology Call for Papers

August 12, 2016
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) has released a call for papers for its 50th annual conference, which will be held in...
Weekly Spark

Lizette Peterson-Homer Injury Prevention Award

August 12, 2016
The Lizette Peterson Homer Memorial Injury Research Grant supports research into psychological and behavioral aspects of the prevention of injuries in children...
Weekly Spark

U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Announces New Chief Medical Officer

August 12, 2016
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Principal Deputy Administrator Kana Enomoto has announced the hiring of SAMHSA's new Chief...
Director's Corner, Weekly Spark

Working with Native Communities

August 04, 2016
To effectively prevent suicide among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN), we must learn to appreciate the uniqueness and build...
Weekly Spark

How Can We Reduce U.S. Firearm Suicide Rates?

August 04, 2016
ScienceDaily A recent report published in the American Journal of Psychiatry investigates the association between firearm ownership and firearm suicide rates and...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Gun Safety Group Targets Suicide at Source of Problem

August 04, 2016
Wyoming Tribune Eagle The Colorado Gun Shop Project seeks to involve both suicide prevention and gun rights advocates in a...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Inuit-Led Suicide Prevention Strategy to Focus on Mental Wellness, Social Equity

August 04, 2016
CBC News In an effort to stem rising rates of suicide among Canada’s Inuit population, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, in...
Weekly Spark

New National Institute of Mental Health Director Named

August 04, 2016
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis S. Collins has announced the selection of Joshua A. Gordon as director of the National...
Weekly Spark

Cure Violence and the Movement to Treat Violence as a Health Problem

August 04, 2016
The Cure Violence program is part of a movement that advocates for (1) enacting social and behavioral campaigns to reduce violence; (2)...
Weekly Spark

Center Communications and Product Development Director Job Opportunity at EDC

July 29, 2016
The Center for the Study and Prevention of Injury, Violence, and Suicide (CSPIVS) has an opening in Waltham, Mass. for...
Weekly Spark

Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

July 29, 2016
A brief web-based cognitive behavioral therapy (wCBT) program was shown to reduce suicidal ideation among medical interns at two university...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Rate is 22% Higher among People with Epilepsy than the General Population

July 29, 2016
ScienceDaily According to new research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with epilepsy have a 22...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Suicide Prevention Hotlines Should Expand Digital Services, Partner with Health Systems

July 29, 2016
ScienceDaily According to an evaluation conducted by the RAND Corporation, California state-supported suicide prevention hotlines are responsive to callers in...
Weekly Spark

CHINA: Nine Hong Kong Schools Chosen for Pilot Scheme to Prevent Student Suicides

July 29, 2016
South China Morning Post A suicide prevention pilot program will be rolled out at nine schools in Hong Kong following...
Weekly Spark

Preventing Adolescent Dating Abuse: Research and Practice

July 29, 2016
This Children’s Safety Network webinar will provide an overview of the issue of adolescent dating abuse and describe how the field has...
Weekly Spark

New Annals of Emergency Medicine Publication on Reducing Suicide Risk in the Emergency Department

July 29, 2016
The Annals of Emergency Medicine has published a review titled “Reducing Suicide Risk: Challenges and Opportunities in the Emergency Department,” which was...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention: A Health and Safety Priority for the Construction Industry

July 29, 2016
Sally Spencer-Thomas, chief executive officer and cofounder of the Carson J. Spencer Foundation, and Cal Beyer, director of risk management...
Weekly Spark

Substance Misuse and Suicide

July 22, 2016
An analysis of primary care and coroner service records in Northern Ireland shed light on the relationship between substance misuse...
Weekly Spark

Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act Signed into Law

July 22, 2016
KIOW Radio A new law mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) identify evidence-based programs and approaches for reducing...
Weekly Spark

WYOMING: Surviving Suicide in Wyoming

July 22, 2016
FiveThirtyEight In Wyoming, which has one of the highest suicide rates in the country, approximately 80 percent of suicide deaths...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON, D.C.: D.C. Education Act First of Its Kind in U.S., Increases Focus on Suicide Prevention

July 22, 2016
Street Sense A Washington, D.C. law will require teachers and principals to complete a two-hour youth behavioral health training every...
Weekly Spark

Working Together for Success: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Field Ambassadors, State Suicide Prevention Coordinators, and Garrett Lee Smith Grantees

July 22, 2016
Hosted jointly by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), this webinar will introduce AFSP's...
Weekly Spark

Career Development and Research Dissemination: A Webinar for Early Career Suicide Prevention Researchers and Practitioners

July 22, 2016
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) will host a Community of Practice webinar that will address two topics of...
Weekly Spark

Telephone Follow-up and Suicide Attempts

July 15, 2016
A previous study in Spain found that a series of telephone calls to people who had been discharged from an...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Rate among Veterans Has Risen Sharply Since 2001

July 15, 2016
The New York Times While the suicide rate among adult civilians has increased 23 percent since 2001, the rate among...
Weekly Spark

GUAM: Suicide Prevention Training Focuses on Intervention

July 15, 2016
KUAM News The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center is offering a month-long series of workshops to train community members...
Weekly Spark

TEXAS: Suicide Prevention Efforts Focus on Small Texas Towns

July 15, 2016
The Texas Tribune A new service in Denton County, Texas provides resources and support to survivors of suicide loss in...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Consequences of Bullying

July 15, 2016
In this webinar, the first in a three-part series, Tracy Vaillancourt, member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine...
Weekly Spark

New Issue of American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research Journal

July 15, 2016
The American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research Journal has released a new issue on strength-based approaches to wellness. Produced by the Centers...
Director's Corner

The New SPRC.org

July 08, 2016
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is proud to announce the launch of its new website, which was designed to...
Weekly Spark

Pediatricians Urged to Screen for Suicide Risks among Teens

July 08, 2016
USA TODAY The American Academy of Pediatrics has published updated guidelines advising pediatricians to screen adolescent patients for suicide risk....
Weekly Spark

UTAH: Utah Officials Unsure Why Youth Suicide Rate Has Nearly Tripled since 2007

July 08, 2016
The Salt Lake Tribune According to a recent report, the suicide rate among 10- to 17-year-olds in Utah has nearly...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Suicide Prevention with a Crisis Line Dedicated to Aboriginal Community

July 08, 2016
Chilliwack Times In an effort to reduce suicide rates among the First Nations and aboriginal populations in British Columbia, the...
Weekly Spark

State of the Science: Advances, Current Diagnostics, and Treatments of Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury in Military Health Care

July 08, 2016
This summit from the Defense Centers of Excellence will give virtual participants real-time access to more than 26 hours of state-of-the-science programing...
Weekly Spark

National Institutes of Health Planning and Research Grant Opportunities

July 08, 2016
The National Institutes of Health has released companion funding opportunities for research to detect and prevent suicidal behavior, ideation, and...
Weekly Spark

Indian Health Service Releases New Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative Funding Opportunity Announcements

July 08, 2016
The Indian Health Service has released new Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI) funding opportunity announcements for MSPI Purpose Area 4: Generation...
Weekly Spark

VA Conducts Nation’s Largest Analysis of Veteran Suicide

July 08, 2016
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has undertaken the most comprehensive analysis of veteran suicide rates in the United States, examining over...
Weekly Spark

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Job Vacancies

July 08, 2016
The United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has posted job...
From the Field

ICRC-S Webinar: Suicide Surveillance Success Stories

June 24, 2016
The final webinar in the ICRC-S's fourth annual webinar series, Successful Collaborative Research for Suicide Prevention: What Works, will take place Wednesday,...
Weekly Spark

1 in 13 Young U.S. Adults Considered Suicide

June 24, 2016
CBS News According to a report released last week by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 1...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Relying on Each Other: Yurok Tribe Responds to Youth Suicide Crisis

June 24, 2016
Lost Coast Outpost A community of about 150 members of the Yurok Tribe in a remote part of California have...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Social Workers Adopt New National Policy on Suicide Prevention Thanks to Waterloo Students

June 24, 2016
CBC News A group of students at the University of Waterloo have successfully lobbied for a policy mandating that all...
Weekly Spark

Patient and Clinician Age and Suicide Risk Assessment

June 24, 2016
Research revealed that younger mental health clinicians judged a hypothetical patient’s suicide risk and need for hospitalization to be higher...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Strategies: A 10-Year Systematic Review

June 17, 2016
Science Daily According to a 10-year systematic review of suicide prevention strategies recently published in The Lancet Psychiatry, there is a...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Hickenlooper Signs ‘Zero Suicide’ Bill into Law

June 17, 2016
Coloradoan Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has signed a bill into law that creates a state suicide prevention plan modeled on...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Suicide Prevention Program Gives Latina Teens Voice through Art

June 17, 2016
CBS4 A program run by the Mental Health Center of Denver is working to reduce suicide rates among Latina adolescents...
Weekly Spark

A Plan to Prevent Gun Suicides

June 17, 2016
Scientific American A gun safety coalition in New Hampshire made up of gun shop owners, public health experts, and mental...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Screening in the Emergency Department

June 17, 2016
A team from the Emergency Department Safety Assessment and Follow-up Evaluation (ED-SAFE) study found that (1) effective universal suicide screening...
Weekly Spark

ENGLAND: Survey Identifies ‘Final Straw’ Stressors that May Be Associated with Teen Suicide

June 10, 2016
Huffington Post A new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that sources of stress such as health problems and academic pressure...
Weekly Spark

As Suicide Rates Rise, Scientists Find New Warning Signs

June 10, 2016
The Wall Street Journal With national suicide rates on the rise, scientists are making efforts to better understand and identify...
Weekly Spark

Safety Planning

June 10, 2016
Research conducted among Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients at high risk for suicide suggests that safety plans may be more...
From the Field

Surveillance Success Stories - White Mountain Apache Tribe

June 08, 2016
The White Mountain Apache Tribe requires community members, first responders, and medical, school, and social service personnel to report suicidal...
Weekly Spark

MONTANA: Promising New Youth Suicide Prevention Intervention Program to be Provided in Montana

June 03, 2016
Montana State University A new research-based suicide prevention program to develop mental health resiliency in youth will be implemented during...
Weekly Spark

Tough Economy, Alcohol Fuel Suicide Risk in Men: Study

June 03, 2016
UPI Heavy alcohol use may increase suicide risk among men during economic downturns, according to a new study. Previous research...
Weekly Spark

Serious Mental Illness and the Decision to Share Suicidal Thoughts

June 03, 2016
Gatekeeper training for people in whom seriously mental ill people are likely to confide may help prevent suicide, according to...
Weekly Spark

Firearm Ownership Closely Tied to Suicide Rates, Study Finds

May 27, 2016
Medical Xpress States with higher rates of gun ownership had higher rates of gun-related suicides, according to a new study...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Nunavut to Mine Medical Data in Battle Against Suicide

May 27, 2016
CBC News The government of Nunavut, Canada’s northernmost territory, is planning to gather and analyze patients’ medical data as part...
Weekly Spark

Risk Factors for Suicide Attempts and Suicidal Ideation

May 27, 2016
A research team calculated that 90 percent of new onset suicide attempts and 71 percent of new onset suicidal ideation...
Weekly Spark

VIRGINIA: Campus Suicide Crisis: A Need for Prevention

May 20, 2016
Psychiatry Advisor To address the problem of suicidal ideation, attempts, and deaths on college and university campuses, researchers at the...
Weekly Spark

You Can Now Donate Your Social Media for Suicide Prevention Research

May 20, 2016
The Mighty A new way of collecting data that may help researchers better understand why people take their lives and...
Weekly Spark

Community College Students: Veterans and Non-Veterans

May 20, 2016
Although this study found that community college students have rates of mental health disorders, suicidal ideation, and suicidal intent similar...
Weekly Spark

GREENLAND: National Public Radio Series on Suicide in Greenland

May 13, 2016
How do you help someone who is at risk of suicide? The Arctic suicides: Your questions answered National Public Radio...
Weekly Spark

Why Suicide Prevention is Part of Population Health Strategy

May 13, 2016
Hospitals & Health Networks The American Hospital Association has started an initiative to help hospitals address behavioral health, including a...
Weekly Spark

HAWAII: How These Hawai’i Youth Work to Prevent Suicide

May 13, 2016
Ka Leo Between 2011 and 2014, a group of University of Hawaii researchers and education organizations developed a model for...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Risk among Emergency Department Patients

May 13, 2016
People treated in emergency departments for suicidal ideation or behavior were more likely to attempt or die by suicide during...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Attempters and Suicide Deaths

May 06, 2016
A recent analysis of pooled data from the National Surveys of Drug Use and Health and the U.S. Mortality Files...
Weekly Spark

ENGLAND: Improvements in NHS Mental Health Care in England May Have Helped to Reduce Suicide Rates

May 06, 2016
Medical Xpress Service delivery improvements and organizational factors in the mental health services provided by England’s National Health Service were...
Weekly Spark

MINNESOTA: Battling a Surge in Suicides, Minnesota Investigators Wield a New Weapon: Data

May 06, 2016
The Star Tribune The Minnesota Department of Health has built a database to help determine more accurately where, how, and...
Weekly Spark

A Handful of Doctors are Working to Revolutionize How We Think about Self-Harm

May 06, 2016
Good In contrast to the “no-harm” contracts some therapists used to ask their patients to sign, promising they will not...
Director's Corner

Prevention-Oriented Suicide Risk Assessment: Planning Not Prediction

May 05, 2016
Most clinicians-in-training learn to summarize suicide risk in a categorical probability judgment expressed as low, moderate, or high, often with...
Weekly Spark

JAPAN: Landmark New Laws Put Suicide Prevention Front and Center

April 29, 2016
The Japan Times The Japanese Diet (legislature) recently passed an amendment to the nation's 10-year-old suicide prevention law to try...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: Simmons College Course Prepares Future Social Workers to Address Suicide

April 29, 2016
WBUR Simmons College started offering a course on suicide prevention in its master’s in social work (MSW) program last spring....
Weekly Spark

U.S. Suicide Rate Up 24 Percent Since 1999: CDC

April 29, 2016
U.S. News & World Report The U.S. suicide rate rose a total of 24 percent between 1999 and 2014, with...
Weekly Spark

Mental Disorders and Long - Term Suicide Risk

April 29, 2016
A Swedish study found that people without mental disorders had a very low long-term risk of suicide (0.3 percent) compared...
Weekly Spark

NEW MEXICO: State Hopes Primary Care Doctors Can Aid Suicide Prevention Efforts

April 22, 2016
The Santa Fe New Mexican The state of New Mexico is starting to train primary care doctors to screen their...
Weekly Spark

New Study Reports on Suicidal Thinking Among U.S. Veterans

April 22, 2016
Science Daily Almost 14 percent of veterans participating in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study led by the...
Weekly Spark

Sibling Bullying and Suicidal Behaviors

April 22, 2016
Bullying by a sibling doubles the risk of depression and both suicidal and non-suicidal self-harm among young people as they...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: UC Steps Up Efforts to Address Student Mental Health

April 15, 2016
UC steps up efforts to address student mental health University of California At the University of California (UC) campuses, as...
Weekly Spark

Facebook Creates New Support Tool to Help People Who are Suicidal

April 15, 2016
The Mighty Facebook has developed a new support tool that offers friends and families several ways of helping loved ones...
Weekly Spark

Fiscal Austerity and Suicide Rates

April 15, 2016
A study of data from five European countries found that government fiscal austerity measures (e.g. reductions in public sector salaries,...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON:UW, Gun-Rights Groups Come Together in New Law to Prevent Suicide

April 08, 2016
UW Today On March 31 Washington State passed a bill setting up a task force led by Forefront: Innovations in...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Risk Can Be Intercepted in the Emergency Department, Study Finds

April 08, 2016
Medical Xpress Universal screening for suicide risk in emergency departments (EDs) was shown to almost double the number of patients...
Weekly Spark

The Cost of Suicidal Behavior

April 08, 2016
A recent analysis reported that the cost of suicides and suicide attempts in the United States in 2013 was $93.5...
Director's Corner

Will 2016 Be the Year Our Candidates Get Serious About Mental Health and Addiction?

April 07, 2016
Originally published February 23, 2016 on Medium.com Presidential candidates from both political parties have told stories about friends and family...
Weekly Spark

NEW JERSEY: Senate Passes 'Madison Holleran Suicide Prevention Act'

April 01, 2016
Military Times With more people using social media to share about their lives, efforts are being developed to identify posts...
Weekly Spark

Youth Activities as a Protective Factor

April 01, 2016
Research in Canada provides evidence that engaging adolescents in personally meaningful activities may protect them from suicide ideation and risk...
Weekly Spark

SCOTLAND: Sharing the Pain: How Scotland Cut Male Suicide Rates

March 25, 2016
The Guardian During the last decade, Scotland has had some success in reducing its high suicide rate among men credited...
Weekly Spark

Only About Half of Suicidal Patients Asked if They Have Access to Firearms

March 25, 2016
EurekaAlert A recent study of over 1,300 patients from eight emergency departments (EDs) in seven states showed that only about...
Weekly Spark

Knowledge and Attitudes about Suicide and Help-Seeking

March 25, 2016
Increasing knowledge about suicide and reducing negative attitudes about people who die by suicide may improve help-seeking, according to the...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: How to build a mentally healthy workplace

March 18, 2016
In the Black Mental health advocates and researchers are working with business leaders to develop strategies to improve mental health...
Weekly Spark

WISCONSIN: Suicide prevention group creates action plan

March 18, 2016
The Northwestern.com The Winnebago County Child Death Review Team recently released 11 recommendations for ways that Wisconsin communities can help...
Weekly Spark

Healing the healers: What’s being done to address physician suicide?

March 18, 2016
Healthcare Dive Several medical organizations and schools have been taking steps to address the problem of physician burnout, depression, and...
Weekly Spark

Effects of Therapy on Suicide Attempts

March 18, 2016
Research described as “the largest follow-up study of psychosocial therapy interventions offered after deliberate self-harm” revealed significantly reduced rates of...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA System of Care (SOC) Expansion and Sustainability Cooperative Agreements

March 18, 2016
SAMHSA is accepting applications for the 2016 Cooperative Agreements for the Expansion and Sustainability of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for...
Weekly Spark

2016 Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) Summit: Call for Abstracts

March 18, 2016
Abstracts are being accepted for the 2016 DCoE Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Summit – State of the Science: Advances...
Weekly Spark

Pathways to Prevention Workshop: Advancing Research to Prevent Youth Suicide Now Available in Person and by Webcast

March 18, 2016
This NIH-sponsored workshop will be held on March 29–30, 2016, in Bethesda, Maryland. The workshop will explore the current state of knowledge...
Weekly Spark

New Report from the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

March 18, 2016
The Action Alliance’s Crisis Services Task Force has released Crisis Now: Transforming Services is Within Our Reach, a report that highlights the...
Weekly Spark News

Insurance companies reconsider “dated” policies for suicide attempts

March 11, 2016
CBC News Canadian insurance companies are reviewing their policies to determine whether to eliminate clauses in group and individual plans...
Weekly Spark

VERMONT: Vermont Gun Shop Project Addresses Firearm-Related Suicides

March 11, 2016
Brattleboro Reformer Gun owner groups and the Center for Health and Learning have partnered to create the Vermont Gun Shop...
Weekly Spark

Survey: Half of community college students report mental health problems

March 11, 2016
Inside Higher Ed Community college students have a high rate of mental health problems, according to the results of a...
Weekly Spark

Screening and Assessment of Co-occurring Disorders in the Justice System

March 11, 2016
This new guide from SAMHSA provides knowledge on a wide range of evidence-based practices for screening and assessment of adults in the...
Weekly Spark

A Snapshot of Behavioral Health Issues for Asian American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Boys and Men: Jumpstarting an Overdue Conversation

March 11, 2016
This new SAMHSA publication highlights issues specific to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) males. It provides data on the...
Weekly Spark

Free AAS Workshops for Mental Health Providers

March 11, 2016
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is providing free 2-hour workshops for mental health providers on Tuesday, March 29, just...
Weekly Spark

New WISQARS Infographic and Updated Leading Causes of Death Charts

March 11, 2016
The CDC recently released the WISQARS infographic, which helps explain the injury data and modules featured in WISQARS. The modules include:...
Weekly Spark

Job Opportunities at the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)

March 11, 2016
SPRC has the following five job opportunities currently available: Senior Prevention Specialist, Senior Writer/Editor, Senior Program Associate, Program Coordinator (II), and Part-Time Project Assistant. For...
Weekly Spark

NEW SPARK TALKS LAUNCHED

March 11, 2016
SPRC has just launched its third set of videos in the series “SPARK Talks: Suicide Prevention, Innovation, and Action.” Each...
Weekly Spark Announcement

Pathways to Prevention Workshop: Advancing Research to Prevent Youth Suicide

March 04, 2016
The National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, and NIH...
Weekly Spark Announcement

1 Photo, 6 Words. #VetoViolence: Suicide Prevention Video

March 04, 2016
In August 2015 the CDC and SAMHSA launched 1 Photo, 6 Words. #VetoViolence—an initiative that encouraged using social media to...
Weekly Spark News

Joint Commission shines spotlight on suicide in hospitals and other settings, with 8 steps to detect growing concern

March 04, 2016
Hospitals & Health Networks The Joint Commission recently issued a new alert: Sentinel Event Alert #56: Detecting and Treating Suicide Ideation...
Weekly Spark News

MASSACHUSETTS: MIT students turn their brainpower toward suicide prevention

March 04, 2016
CBS Boston In the wake of several suicides at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the school is adding staff...
Weekly Spark News

NEW ZEALAND: Suicide prevention training planned for rural health workers

March 04, 2016
Taranaki Daily News Rural health professionals in the Taranaki region of New Zealand will be receiving training in suicide prevention...
From the Field

Surveillance Success Stories - Kentucky

March 03, 2016
Inspired by National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Suicide Care in Systems Framework the KY Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) program...
From the Field

Surveillance Success Stories - Vermont

March 03, 2016
An analysis of data from Vermont’s Department of Mental Health Management Information System and the state Vital Records Office revealed...
From the Field

Surveillance Success Stories - Ohio

March 03, 2016
A crosswalk of data from death certificates and records from state hospitals and mental health clinics revealed that more than...
Director's Corner

Charting a Course for Suicide Prevention

March 03, 2016
Originally published February 11, 2016 on EDC.org Making the connection between mental health, substance abuse, and suicide prevention If EDC’s...
Weekly Spark Announcement

New Report: Strengthening Our Future

February 26, 2016
SAMHSA has just released Strengthening Our Future: Key Elements to Developing a Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice Diversion Program for Youth with Behavioral...
Weekly Spark Announcement

Webinar: Evaluation of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN): A Research Collaboration among the TSPN, the Centerstone Research Institute, and the Tennessee Department of Health

February 26, 2016
This is the second webinar in the ICRC-S's series, Successful Collaborative Research for Suicide Prevention: What Works. The TSPN is a public-private organization...
Weekly Spark Announcement

Webinar: What Do You Want to Know about Self-injury?

February 26, 2016
Screening for Mental Health is hosting a webinar that will address many of the concerns and questions that school staff have about...
Weekly Spark Announcement

The Joint Commission Publishes New Sentinel Event Alert on Suicide Ideation

February 26, 2016
The Joint Commission just issued Sentinel Event Alert #56: Detecting and Treating Suicide Ideation in All Settings. This new alert aims...
Weekly Spark Announcement

SPRC Launches Two New SPARK Talks: Videos of Suicide Prevention Leaders

February 26, 2016
Common Ground: Reducing Gun Access features Cathy Barber, MPA, of Harvard’s Means Matter Campaign, and Ralph Demicco, a former gun shop...
Weekly Spark Announcement

Making the Connections

February 26, 2016
On February 22, 2016, SPRC Director Jerry Reed joined former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher and former U.S. Representative Patrick...
Weekly Spark News

A new national partnership to reduce number of construction industry suicides

February 26, 2016
Engineering News-Record The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the Carson J. Spencer Foundation, and RK Mechanical have released A...
Weekly Spark News

COLORADO: Larimer County to study youth mental health services

February 26, 2016
The Coloradoan Larimer County has allocated $52,000 to study the mental health services needed for children ages eight and younger....
Weekly Spark News

ENGLAND: NHS vows to transform mental health services with extra £1bn a year

February 26, 2016
The Guardian An independent task force in England has put forth a set of recommendations that is being supported by...
Weekly Spark Announcement

New SPRC Resource: Challenges and Recommendations for Evaluating Suicide Prevention Programs

February 19, 2016
SPRC just released this report providing “lessons learned” about evaluation and data/surveillance collection from state and tribal GLS evaluator Community of Learning...
Weekly Spark Announcement

Psychological Health Webinar: Literature Review on Resilience in the Military

February 19, 2016
This webinar from the Defense Centers for Excellence will describe the distinct elements of resilience, how adverse conditions affect resilience,...
Weekly Spark Announcement

Men’s Mental Health Initiative Unveils New Tools and Resources

February 19, 2016
Man Therapy has just unveiled changes in its website, including expanded and customizable content. Users can now create private profiles that...
Weekly Spark Announcement

New SAMHSA Grant Opportunity

February 19, 2016
SAMHSA is accepting applications for 2016 Cooperative Agreements for the Expansion and Sustainability of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children...
Weekly Spark Announcement

Task Force to Develop Blog/Social Media Guidelines

February 19, 2016
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) is leading an international task force to develop guidelines and recommendations for bloggers, blog...
Weekly Spark Research

“Invisible Risk” among Adolescents

February 19, 2016
A study of more than 12,000 schoolchildren in 11 European countries found that high media use, sedentary behavior, and reduced...
Weekly Spark News

A first-aid class for mental health

February 19, 2016
The Atlantic The author of this article in The Atlantic describes her experience taking a training to learn how to...
Weekly Spark News

TENNESSEE: Centerstone expands suicide outreach help

February 19, 2016
Shelbyville Times-Gazette Centerstone, a large, community-based behavioral health and addictions services provider in Tennessee, has further developed its Crisis Care...
Weekly Spark News

NEW ZEALAND: Indigenous suicide prevention resource first of its kind

February 19, 2016
Scoop Independent News In December, the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand and Tīwhanawhana Trust released a new resource that...
Weekly Spark Research

Suicide among Older Chinese Adults in the United States

February 12, 2016
A study of Chinese people over the age of 60 in the greater Chicago area revealed that living alone, poor...
Weekly Spark Announcement

SAMHSA Tribal Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Center Webinar

February 12, 2016
Dr. Teresa LaFromboise will present Generational Resilience Part 2: Exploring the American Indian Life Skills Development (AILS) Curriculum for Suicide...
Weekly Spark Announcement

NIMH Hosting Social Media “Thunderclap”

February 12, 2016
The National Institute of Mental Health is raising awareness about the importance of clinical research for understanding and treating mental...
Weekly Spark Announcement

DoD/VA Suicide Prevention Webinar

February 12, 2016
The Power of One: Maximizing a Public Health, Community-Based, and Holistic Approach to Suicide Prevention will take place on Wednesday, February...
Weekly Spark Announcement

Lifeline Announces Consumer-Survivor Subcommittee Membership

February 12, 2016
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has just announced the expanded and refreshed membership of the Lifeline Consumer/Survivor Subcommittee (CSS). Every...
Weekly Spark News

Dese'Rae L. Stage is helping suicide survivors live through this and whatever comes next

February 12, 2016
Inverse Suicide attempt survivor Dese’Rae L. Stage has traveled throughout the U.S. gathering photographs and stories of suicide attempt survivors...
Weekly Spark News

ILLINOIS: SIUE School of Pharmacy iCare grant to heighten suicide awareness

February 12, 2016
The Telegraph Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Schools of Pharmacy and Nursing, and SIUE Counseling Services will use a multi-tiered...
Weekly Spark News

UNITED KINGDOM: New research examines suicide in new and expectant mothers

February 12, 2016
HealthCanal A new study looked at suicide deaths in women who had recent contact with mental health services and compared...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: MBTA, Samaritans launch anti-suicide campaign

February 05, 2016
Boston Globe The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is working with the Samaritans Inc. of Boston to provide help to...
Weekly Spark

All U.S. adults should be screened for depression, panel recommends

February 05, 2016
Scientific American The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued new guidelines recommending that all adults ages 18 and...
Weekly Spark

Post-Doctoral Research/Clinical Fellowship: Adolescent and Family Suicide Prevention and Intervention

February 05, 2016
The Center for Family Intervention Science at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has two postdoctoral fellowships available for one year starting July...
Weekly Spark

Comment on Draft Report: Data Linkage Strategies to Advance Suicide Prevention

February 05, 2016
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)’s draft report Data Linkage Strategies to Advance Suicide Prevention is open for comments until...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA’s 2015 Barometer Tracks the Behavioral Health of America

February 05, 2016
SAMHSA’s most recent National Behavioral Health Barometer report (Barometer) highlights important trends in Americans’ behavioral health at the national and...
Weekly Spark

Generational Resilience Part 2: Exploring the American Indian Life Skills Development Curriculum for Suicide Prevention

February 05, 2016
SAMHSA’s Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center is sponsoring this Generational Resilience Learning Community. The discussion will focus on the...
Weekly Spark

GUYANA: Guyana crafts suicide emergency plan

February 05, 2016
Demerara Waves To supplement Guyana’s 2015-2020 National Suicide Prevention Plan, a Suicide Emergency Plan was developed for the nation at...
Director's Corner

Protecting Your Patients and Yourself

February 04, 2016
Zero Suicide represents a commitment to identify, protect, and treat people who are at risk of suicide. Central to this...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Getting Institutional Buy-In for Research Success

January 29, 2016
This is the sixth Community of Practice (CoP) session in the ICRC-S 2015-2016 series, Planning a Collaborative Research Project. It will focus on the perspectives...
Weekly Spark

2013 NVDRS Restricted Access Database Now Available

January 29, 2016
The CDC has recently updated its Restricted Access Database (RAD) to include 2013 data from the National Violent Death Reporting...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: Critical Response Program to Tackle High WA [Western Australia] Indigenous Suicide Rate

January 29, 2016
ABC News A “critical response” project is being established with Federal Government funding to address the high rate of suicide...
Weekly Spark

NEW JERSEY: New Jersey teens help create new law for youth to access mental health without parents’ consent

January 29, 2016
Youth Today A law recently passed in New Jersey will allow teenagers under age 18 to obtain mental health care...
Weekly Spark

Voice analytics to boost customer service, even save lives

January 29, 2016
Newsfactor A healthcare service-focused startup, Cogito Corp., is using its voice-based technology to help the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs...
Weekly Spark

Youth Suicide Clusters and Newspaper Coverage

January 29, 2016
An analysis of newspaper reporting on youth and celebrity suicides (1988-1996) found that front-page placement; headlines containing the word “suicide”...
Weekly Spark

WISQARS Mobile Now Available for Android

January 22, 2016
WISQARS Mobile is now available for Android phones and tablets, as well as iPhones and iPads. CDC’s Web-based Injury Statistics Query...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA’s Electronic Health Records Boot Camp Series

January 22, 2016
This series is designed to help behavioral health leaders increase their understanding of electronic health records (EHRs) and prepare to implement EHR...
Weekly Spark

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Suicide Prevention Research

January 22, 2016
The University of Rochester Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide (CSPS) has positions available for postdoctoral training in suicide prevention...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA’s 12th Prevention Day: The Power of Prevention!

January 22, 2016
This one-day forum will feature training sessions on behavioral health topics for prevention practitioners, community leaders, researchers, and consumers. SAMHSA will share...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Aboriginal youth suicide rates addressed using art

January 22, 2016
CBC News The project Acting Out, But in a Good Way is demonstrating that creating art can significantly affect mental...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON: Forefront launches suicide prevention effort in three rural Washington counties

January 22, 2016
UW Today The organization Forefront: Innovations in Suicide Prevention will be implementing a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention in three...
Weekly Spark

Students of color aren’t getting the mental health help they need in college

January 22, 2016
HuffPost College Recent research indicates that students of color are much less likely to seek help when they are feeling...
Weekly Spark

PHQ-9 and Suicide Prevention

January 22, 2016
The PHQ-9 Depression Questionnaire was found to predict both suicides and suicide attempts among a sample of people being treated...
Weekly Spark

"Conversion therapy" endangers LGBT youth and must stop: U.S. report

January 15, 2016
Reuters Efforts to ban conversion therapy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth are gaining support. A recent SAMHSA...
Weekly Spark

Article on Promoting Mental Health Published in Constructor Magazine as Cover Story

January 15, 2016
“A Call for Help: Promoting Mental Health Awareness in the Construction Industry” was published in Constructor Magazine by the Associated...
Weekly Spark

Workshop: Best Practices in Providing Suicide Safer Care in Health Care Settings

January 15, 2016
This session at the National Council for Behavioral Health preconference in Las Vegas on March 6 will focus on providing step-by-step evidence-based...
Weekly Spark

2016 Active Minds Healthy Campus Award

January 15, 2016
Active Minds Inc. seeks applications for this award, which recognizes and celebrates U.S. colleges and universities prioritizing mental health alongside physical...
Weekly Spark

Up to $112 Million Available in National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative Grants

January 15, 2016
This program aims to provide treatment and services in communities for children, adolescents, and their families who experience or witness...
Weekly Spark

Up to $4.8 Million Available for Youth Treatment—Implementation Grants

January 15, 2016
This program funds states/territories/tribes to improve treatment for adolescents and/or transitional- aged youth with substance use disorders and/or co-occurring substance...
Weekly Spark

Make Your Voice Heard on NREPP Priority Areas

January 15, 2016
You have an opportunity to help set SAMHSA priorities. In addition to reviewing submitted programs, SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based...
Weekly Spark

Physical Illness, Psychiatric Disorders, and Suicide

January 15, 2016
A study in Denmark demonstrated that although both physical illnesses and psychiatric disorders individually increase suicide risk, people afflicted with...
Weekly Spark

IDAHO: Suicide prevention hotline to launch texting service

January 15, 2016
The [Idaho] News-Times The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline is launching crisis text and online chat services. A focus will be...
Weekly Spark

Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC) Pre-Conference Research Training Day

January 08, 2016
This training day will be held on March 30before the 2016 AAS conference in Chicago. It is open to 30 trainees...
Weekly Spark

Call for Applications: Research Training Institute (RTI)

January 08, 2016
The ICRC-S will hold its third suicide prevention Research Training Institute (RTI) in Rochester, NY, April 18-22. The RTI is...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Preparing to submit an Application for IRB Review

January 08, 2016
This is the fifth Community of Practice (CoP) session in the ICRC-S's 2015-2016 series,Planning a Collaborative Research Project. It will include a brief...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Breaking through the Barriers: Implementing the Zero Suicide Approach in States and Organizations

January 08, 2016
This webinar will focus on lessons learned in the 2015 nine-month breakthrough series initiative to help states and organizational partners implement the...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: Understanding Adolescent Suicide Attempts

January 08, 2016
This is the first webinar in the ICRC-S's 2016-2017 series Successful Collaborative Research for Suicide Prevention: What Works? Researchers from the Massachusetts...
Weekly Spark

WISQARS 2014 Fatality Data Now Available

January 08, 2016
CDC recently updated the Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) to include 2014 data from the National Vital...
Weekly Spark

International News 2015

January 08, 2016
IRELAND: New national strategy to prevent suicide (July 10) - IrishHealth.comUNITED KINGDOM: Staff-prisoner relationships are key to managing suicide risk...
Weekly Spark

State & Community News 2015

January 08, 2016
CALIFORNIA: California suicide prevention program demonstrates promise, studies find (June 12) - Medical XpressCOLORADO: Gun shops work with anti-suicide program...
Weekly Spark

National News 2015

January 08, 2016
Gun laws associated with lower suicide rates (October 2) - The New York TimesComing out as a survivor (October 23)...
Weekly Spark

Research Summaries 2015

January 08, 2016
Home Foreclosures and Suicide April 3, 2015Suicide Attempt Risk among Youth in Impoverished Communities June 19, 2015School Climate and Lesbian,...
Director's Corner

Identity as Strength among LGBTQ Youth

January 07, 2016
LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning) youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers....
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Statewide Consumer Network Program

December 18, 2015
The purpose of this SAMHSA-funded program is to improve mental health services for people with serious mental illness. It seeks to enhance...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Statewide Family Network Program

December 18, 2015
The purpose of this SAMHSA-funded program is to enhance state capacity and infrastructure to better respond to the needs of children and...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Center Follow-Up

December 18, 2015
The purpose of this SAMHSA-funded program is to promote systematic follow-up of suicidal persons who call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL)...
Weekly Spark

Funding Opportunity: Applied Research toward Zero Suicide Healthcare Systems

December 18, 2015
This funding opportunity from NIMH is intended to support applied research that advances the Zero Suicide goal of preventing suicide attempts and deaths among...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Ottawa to start regularly tracking veteran suicides

December 18, 2015
The Globe and Mail Veterans Affairs Canada is developing a method for annually reporting suicides of veterans that will begin...
Weekly Spark

ALASKA: In rural Alaska, a new approach to fighting suicide emerges

December 18, 2015
Alaska Dispatch News A new way of carrying out suicide prevention is being implemented for young Alaska Natives, a population...
Weekly Spark

No, suicides don’t rise during the holidays

December 18, 2015
The Atlantic Data from the CDC shows that the commonly heard statement about suicides increasing during the holidays is not...
Weekly Spark

GLS Program Impact on Suicide Attempts

December 18, 2015
An analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that counties in which Garrett Lee...
Weekly Spark

Fellowship - Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education & Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention

December 11, 2015
This two-year paid fellowship mentors young professionals in providing high-quality health and mental health treatment to veterans with a special goal of...
Weekly Spark

Postdoctoral Fellowship - Emory University School of Medicine

December 11, 2015
This one year clinical research position includes involvement in two projects focused on preventing suicidal behavior in patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder...
Weekly Spark

New CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Funding Opportunity

December 11, 2015
CDC has announced the availability of funding for the Core State Violence and Injury Prevention Program (CORE SVIPP,CDC-RFA-CE16-1602). It will provide resources...
Weekly Spark

Collaborating with Community Stakeholders for Community Success

December 11, 2015
This webinar, the fourth Community of Practice session in the ICRC-S's 2015-2016 series, Planning a Collaborative Research Project, will be held...
Weekly Spark

White House sponsoring #MentalHealthHackathon open data and innovation initiative this Saturday

December 11, 2015
On Saturday, December 12, organizations in five cities across the United States will host hackathon or data sprint events in which suicide...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: How one man's suicide inspired barbers to join forces and help guys with depression

December 11, 2015
The Huffington Post After his close friend died by suicide this year, barber Tom Chapman set up the Lions Barber...
Weekly Spark

NEW MEXICO: A warmline for people who just need to talk

December 11, 2015
KUNM The Warmline in New Mexico, started this August, has received hundreds of calls transferred from New Mexico’s hotlines even...
Weekly Spark

Why helping civilian providers understand military culture matters

December 11, 2015
Defense Centers of Excellence Some service members and veterans prefer to see civilian health and mental health care providers, and...
Weekly Spark

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents

December 11, 2015
A study in Oslo found that Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) significantly reduced self-harm, suicidal ideation, and depression among...
Weekly Spark

Lifeline Steering and Subcommittees Now Accepting Nominations

December 04, 2015
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline receives ongoing consultation from three advisory bodies:  a Steering Committee; the Consumer-Survivor Subcommittee; and the...
Weekly Spark

Nominations Open for National Council’s Awards of Excellence

December 04, 2015
The Call for Nominations for the National Council for Behavioral Health’s Awards of Excellence is open until December 7. These awards honor...
Weekly Spark

Working Together with Native Communities to Support the Healing of our Service Members, Veterans, and their Families

December 04, 2015
This webinar will outline available resources and discuss how to address and prevent behavioral health issues in tribal service members, veterans, and...
Weekly Spark

Mobile Mental Health Resources for Patient Care

December 04, 2015
In this webinar, participants will learn the importance of mobile mental health tools in providing patient care and how to access...
Weekly Spark

NORTHERN IRELAND: Number of suicides up 8% with disadvantaged men most at risk

December 04, 2015
Belfast Telegraph The suicide rate in Northern Ireland has increased by 8% in the last six years, and disadvantaged men...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Stanford creates center for youth mental health

December 04, 2015
The Almanac The Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing is being formed to consolidate existing and new youth mental health...
Weekly Spark

FSU to collaborate on suicide prevention program

December 04, 2015
Tallahassee Democrat An evaluation of two online suicide prevention tools for men ages 35-64 will begin soon. Men in this...
Director's Corner
Directors Corner

Overcoming Fear Together

December 03, 2015
Although the field of suicide prevention has made enormous strides in recognizing the contributions of people with lived experience, it...
Weekly Spark

Man Therapy Expanded to Offer Veteran and Military Resources

November 20, 2015
Man Therapy, a free and interactive mental health website for men, has just added content specifically for veterans and military...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention: A Gatekeeper Training for School Personnel Added to BPR Section III

November 20, 2015
This two-hour training, developed by the Riverside Trauma Center, is designed for licensed school personnel, including elementary through high school teachers, administrators,...
Weekly Spark

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Releases 5-Year Anniversary Report

November 20, 2015
The Action Alliance has just released a new report, Progress and Forward Momentum. This year marks the five-year anniversary of the...
Weekly Spark

Center[s] for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct suicide-cluster study in Palo Alto

November 20, 2015
Palo Alto Online The CDC will soon be conducting a special type of in-depth epidemiological study of Palo Alto, California’s...
Weekly Spark

Small towns face rising suicide rates

November 20, 2015
New York Times Suicide rates are increasing at a greater pace in rural than urban communities across the U.S. Common...
Weekly Spark

Preventing Suicide in Prisons

November 20, 2015
A review of the research found that prison suicides can be prevented with comprehensive programs that focus on the specific...
Weekly Spark

Safe States Alliance Expanded Online Training Center

November 13, 2015
This newly expanded Training Center is a user-friendly resource for accessing trainings and other learning opportunities for injury and violence prevention, public...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA Resource against LGBTQ Conversion Therapy

November 13, 2015
This SAMHSA publication, Ending Conversion Therapy: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ Youth, presents research, clinical expertise, and expert consensus on therapeutic practices related...
Weekly Spark

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Launches Project 2025 to Reduce Suicide Rate

November 13, 2015
This project will analyze the latest research and develop a new model to determine which suicide prevention methods will have the greatest...
Weekly Spark

Developing a Research Question, Aim, and Plan: Collaborative Research Projects in Suicide Prevention

November 13, 2015
This webinar, the third in the Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention’s (ICRC-S) 2015–16 Community of Practice (CoP) series, will...
Weekly Spark

MONTANA: Tragedy deepens resolve for Butte suicide-prevention group

November 13, 2015
The Montana Standard Years of high suicide rates and then the suicides of three youth in six weeks propelled a...
Weekly Spark

Death rates rising for middle-aged white Americans, study finds

November 13, 2015
New York Times A new study of health and mortality data has found that death rates are rising among middle-aged...
Weekly Spark

SPRC seeks Senior Writer/Editor

November 13, 2015
SPRC has an opening for a Senior Writer/Editor on its Information Services Team, reporting to the Information Services Team manager,...
Weekly Spark

Sexual Minority Status and Suicidal Behavior

November 13, 2015
Programs seeking to prevent suicide among lesbian, gay, and bisexual people should target those who “self-identify themselves as lesbian, gay,...
Weekly Spark

Director's Corner: International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

November 06, 2015
Robert Gebbia, Chief Executive Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, is a guest contributor to this month's SPRC Director's...
Director's Corner
Directors Corner

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

November 06, 2015
Saturday, November 21, 2015 is this year’s International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. This observance began in 1999 when Senator Harry...
Weekly Spark

Webinar on Prevention among Tribal Youth

November 06, 2015
On November 17, 2015, 2-3 EST SAMHSA is sponsoring “Reconnecting Youth to the Circle: The Importance of Traditional Practices for...
Weekly Spark

WISQARS Mobile Updated with 2013 Fatality Data

November 06, 2015
CDC’s Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) is an interactive, online database that provides fatal and nonfatal injury...
Weekly Spark

Depression on College Campuses Conference

November 06, 2015
The University of Michigan Depression Center is sponsoring the 14th Annual Depression on College Campuses Conference on March 9–10, 2016. The conference...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Denver firefighters talk about suicide prevention

November 06, 2015
9News Colorado After the suicide of one of their long-time firefighters, the Denver Fire Department made suicide prevention a priority...
Weekly Spark

CDC report details suicide rate in Native Americans---Earlier reports may have underestimated risk

November 06, 2015
MedPage Today A recent report by the CDC’s Center for Health Statistics confirms the disproportionately high rate of suicide among American Indian...
Weekly Spark

What happens if you try to prevent every single suicide?

November 06, 2015
NPR There is a new movement in health and mental health care systems to reverse the increasing suicide rate. The...
Weekly Spark

Redesigned NREPP Announces Open Submission Period

November 06, 2015
The National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) has announced that its next open submission period will take place...
Weekly Spark

Morton M. Silverman Student Award

October 30, 2015
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) recently announced the Morton M. Silverman Student Award for a paper written by a...
Weekly Spark

NCBH Webinar on Texting

October 30, 2015
The National Council for Behavioral Health (NCBH) is sponsoring the webinar “Text Messaging: A Promising Tool for Managing and Improving Individual Care”...
Weekly Spark

HHS Awards for Certified Behavioral Health Clinics

October 30, 2015
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)...
Weekly Spark

Updated “Serving Veterans” Guide

October 30, 2015
The SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions (CIHS) recently updated the publication Serving Veterans: A Resource Guide.This guide was developed for...
Weekly Spark

COLORADO: Gun shops work with anti-suicide program

October 30, 2015
9News Colorado In July 2014 the Colorado Gun Shop Project was started in rural communities across the state, areas where...
Weekly Spark

A caring conversation can save a life, suicide experts say

October 30, 2015
Boston Globe Anyone can help a person get through a suicidal crisis (whether it involves suicidal thoughts or imminent danger)...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Risk and Middle-Aged Men

October 30, 2015
According to an analysis of data from the National Violent Death Reporting System, the four most common precipitating circumstances for...
Weekly Spark

NIMH Announces New Outreach Partners

October 23, 2015
NIMH has selected seven new partners for its Outreach Partnership Program to represent Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas Border Region, Vermont,...
Weekly Spark

2014 School Health Policies and Practices Study (SHPPS) Results Released

October 23, 2015
CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) recently released the 2014 School Health Policies and Practices Study (SHPPS) results...
Weekly Spark

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

October 23, 2015
This day is a once-a-year opportunity for people affected by suicide loss to gather around the world at local events to find...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Calgary Police Service mental health program drawing international attention

October 23, 2015
The Calgary Police Service has implemented a mental health program, Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR), to help its officers cope...
Weekly Spark

NORTH CAROLINA: A picture of health

October 23, 2015
UNCG Now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro recently received the 2015 Active Minds Healthy Campus Award. It is...
Weekly Spark

Coming out as a survivor

October 23, 2015
U.S. News & World Report This article provides brief accounts of what several suicide attempt survivors have experienced when they...
Weekly Spark

SPRC seeks Senior Tribal Prevention Specialist

October 23, 2015
SPRC seeks a Senior Tribal Prevention Specialist (PS) to be part of an 8-person team providing technical assistance to support...
Weekly Spark

Suicide and Hospital Discharge

October 23, 2015
A team of researchers suggested that suicide prevention in general hospitals could be improved by (1) following up with patients...
Weekly Spark

Assisted Outpatient Treatment added to Section I of SPRC Best Practices Registry

October 16, 2015
Assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) is the practice of delivering outpatient treatment under court order to adults with severe mental illness who...
Weekly Spark

Responding to Suicide Clusters on College Campuses

October 16, 2015
This two-part web conference, co-produced by SAMHSA and the JED Foundation in August 2015, has now been archived and is available...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Nunavik conference trains record number in suicide prevention

October 16, 2015
Nunatsiaq Online Puttautiit, a multi-day suicide prevention conference led by and for the Inuit of Quebec’s Nunavik region, drew participants...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: Founded in Mass., National Depression Screening Day turns 25

October 16, 2015
Boston.com Last Thursday, more than a thousand health clinics, campuses, and community organizations across the United States participated in National...
Weekly Spark

Kids, teens win when mental health providers team with pediatricians, family doctors, UCLA study finds

October 16, 2015
UCLA Newsroom Researchers at UCLA are seeing positive results from “integrated care” programs that team up doctors and mental health...
Weekly Spark

Research Training Institute – Call for Applications

October 16, 2015
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is accepting applications for its third Research Training Institute. The Institute is a...
Weekly Spark

Action Alliance Research Prioritization Task Force

October 16, 2015
In 2011, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Research Prioritization Task Force (RPTF) conducted an online stakeholder survey of...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: Mental health training for General Practitioners praised for “saving lives” by suicide prevention campaigners

October 09, 2015
The Huffington Post After receiving training in how to discuss suicide with patients who might be at risk for suicide,...
Weekly Spark

KENTUCKY: Louisville seeks answers to rising suicide rate

October 09, 2015
USA Today Louisville hopes to reduce suicides among its residents with a citywide strategy developed by its Safe and Healthy...
Weekly Spark

Suicide prevention gets a digital twist

October 09, 2015
The Dallas Morning News While dangerous social media content can increase suicide risk for vulnerable teens, the same forums are...
Weekly Spark

You Know a Tree by Its Fruit: Collaborative Research Projects in Suicide Prevention

October 09, 2015
This webinar, the second in the Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention’s (ICRC-S) 2015-16 Community of Practice (CoP) series, will...
Weekly Spark

Intervening at a “Suicide Hotspot”

October 09, 2015
A project to reduce suicides in a park in Australia “known to be a hotspot for jumping suicides” led to...
Weekly Spark

SAMHSA announces new awards addressing children’s mental health and substance use

October 09, 2015
Over the next several years, recipients of several new SAMHSA awards will receive support for programs that address behavioral health needs. Several...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Safe app updated

October 09, 2015
SAMHSA has released an updated version of Suicide Safe, its mobile app that helps providers integrate suicide prevention strategies into their...
Weekly Spark

VA Advanced Fellowship in Veteran Mental Health & Suicide Prevention

October 09, 2015
The Veterans Administration VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention and the affiliated University of Rochester Center for the...
Weekly Spark

New Healthy Youth Website now live

October 02, 2015
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Healthy Youth Website has a new look. The site still offers findings from the...
Weekly Spark

How We Talk About It Matters

October 02, 2015
Every day the media helps influence public attitudes and opinions. The Resource Guide for Reporting on Behavioral Health: How You Talk About...
Weekly Spark

Webinar: How to launch a suicide attempt survivor support group

October 02, 2015
In this webinar, sponsored by Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, presenters Rick Grant-Coons and Shari Sinwelski will discuss the development and...
Weekly Spark

Barriers and safety nets at suicide hotspots can reduce rates by 90%

October 02, 2015
The Guardian When preventive measures are taken at sites that are well-known for frequent suicides, the results can be dramatic....
Weekly Spark

MICHIGAN: Study aims to reduce suicides after jail time

October 02, 2015
MSU Today People recently released from jail are at high risk for suicide, yet receive little mental health care during...
Weekly Spark

Gun laws associated with lower suicide rates

October 02, 2015
The New York Times Researchers recently found that several different kinds of laws that restrict gun ownership are associated with...
Weekly Spark

Breaking the Silence Video Facilitation Guide

October 02, 2015
In 2014, the video Breaking the Silence: Suicide Prevention in Law Enforcement was released by the International Association of Chiefs of Police,...
Director's Corner

New Resource Helps Senior Centers Promote Behavioral Health and Prevent Suicide

October 01, 2015
Suicide takes a tremendous toll on older adults, particularly men over the age of 65. Yet the number of older...
Weekly Spark

USPSTF seeks public comments on draft recommendation for screening for depression in children and adolescents

September 25, 2015
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has posted a draft recommendation statement and draft evidence review on screening for depression...
Weekly Spark

JED Foundation seeks 2015-2016 student advisory council members

September 25, 2015
The JED Foundation, which works to promote emotional health and prevent suicide among college and university students, seeks applications from current students...
Weekly Spark

NEBRASKA: New state law requires more suicide prevention training in schools

September 25, 2015
WOWT News For the first time, all public school teachers in Nebraska will be required this year to undergo an...
Weekly Spark

Norman Farberow dies at 97; psychologist was pioneer in suicide prevention

September 25, 2015
The Los Angeles Times Co-founder in 1958 of the first suicide prevention center in the United States, Norman Farberow “was...
Weekly Spark

A Construction Industry Blueprint: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace

September 25, 2015
The construction industry is at high risk for suicide, and workplace outreach is an important and growing area of suicide...
Weekly Spark

Signs of Suicide in Middle Schools

September 25, 2015
A study to evaluate the effects of the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program in middle schools found that, three months...
Weekly Spark

Trends in Indian Health

September 18, 2015
Produced by the federal Indian Health Service (IHS), Trends in Indian Health contains tables and charts describing the health status of American...
Weekly Spark

Therapeutic Risk Management of the Suicidal Patient

September 18, 2015
This webinar, presented by the Defense Centers of Excellence, will provide an overview of the Therapeutic Risk Management model, introduce suicide...
Weekly Spark

Job opening: Deputy Director of Veterans Crisis Line

September 18, 2015
The Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Deputy Director for its Veterans Crisis Line in Washington, DC. The Deputy Director will assist...
Weekly Spark

Suicide prevention: Where is there progress?

September 18, 2015
The Christian Science Monitor “We are making progress in preventing suicide,” said Jerry Reed, director of the Suicide Prevention Resource...
Weekly Spark

Promoting Emotional Health and Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for Senior Centers

September 18, 2015
Senior center staff and volunteers can play a valuable role in promoting emotional health among older adults and identifying and...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Attempts in the United States Army

September 18, 2015
The suicide attempt rate of active-duty enlisted soldiers in the U.S. Army was found to be 377/100,000 person-years. More than...
Weekly Spark

Postvention: A Guide for Response to Suicide on College Campuses added to Section III of the Best Practices Registry

September 11, 2015
Created by the Higher Education Mental Health Alliance, the Guide for Response to Suicide on College Campuses is meant to be both...
Weekly Spark

THRIVE releases materials for AI/AN youth suicide prevention media campaign

September 11, 2015
Tribal Health: Reaching out InVolves Everyone (THRIVE) is a federally funded project to reduce suicide among American Indian youth in the...
Weekly Spark

Community of Practice: Planning a Collaborative Research Project

September 11, 2015
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S) is launching a new community of practice (CoP) on the development of collaborative research...
Weekly Spark

Experts Release Consensus List of Warning Signs for Youth Suicide

September 11, 2015
A panel of national and international experts has collaborated to release the first list of youth suicide warning signs supported by research...
Weekly Spark

A Journey toward Health and Hope: Your Handbook for Recovery After a Suicide Attempt

September 11, 2015
This new booklet, produced by SAMHSA, is designed to help people who have attempted suicide take their first steps toward healing...
Weekly Spark

A grief so deep it won’t die

September 11, 2015
The New York Times Mourning the death of a loved one is often a long and painful experience, yet for...
Weekly Spark

2016 NASPA Strategies Conferences invite program proposals

September 04, 2015
NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) is seeking proposals for its 2016 Strategies Conferences: Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention, Mental Health, and Violence...
Weekly Spark

National AI/AN Hope for Life Day Toolkit

September 04, 2015
National American Indian/Alaska Native Hope for Life Day coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 of each year....
Weekly Spark

Community Resources for Suicide Prevention in Indian Country

September 04, 2015
This webinar, presented by the Tribal Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center and SPRC, will highlight the resilience and strength of...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: Nearly half of all patients hospitalized after suicide attempt receive no follow-up mental health treatment, research shows

September 04, 2015
ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) It is well-established that the period after a patient is discharged from the hospital for...
Weekly Spark

Some promising news when it comes to mental health stigma

September 04, 2015
The Huffington Post A new survey suggests that Americans are becoming more aware of mental health issues and are in...
Weekly Spark

New Series of SPARK Talk Videos

September 04, 2015
SPRC’s SPARK Talks are Short, Provocative, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Knowledgeable videos of leaders in the suicide prevention movement. Each of these innovators...
Director's Corner

Preventing Suicide: Reaching Out and Saving Lives

September 03, 2015
September brings with it two important opportunities to celebrate our progress in suicide prevention and to raise awareness that much...
Weekly Spark

Behavioral Health Training for Community Health Workers

August 28, 2015
This one-day training, offered by the National Council for Behavioral Health, is an in-person group program to expand the skills and...
Weekly Spark

Financing Care Transitions for Individuals at Risk for Suicide

August 28, 2015
In this webinar, sponsored by SAMHSA, speakers will discuss current financing models, as well as expected changes that will alter the...
Weekly Spark

Preventing Suicide: A Comprehensive Public Health Approach

August 28, 2015
This session of the Centers for Desease Control and Prevention (CDC) Grand Rounds discusses the strategies needed to promote broader awareness of...
Weekly Spark

Take 5 to Save Lives

August 28, 2015
The National Council for Suicide Prevention has launched the Take 5 to Save Lives website and Facebook event to recognize and support...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: Sending acutely ill mental health patients out of area “increases post-discharge suicide risk”

August 28, 2015
Community Care When patients who need acute mental health care are sent to faraway hospitals for admission, their risk of...
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: How doctors think - Suicide prevention

August 28, 2015
The Huffington Post In spite of a campaign to increase depression screening and management in primary care practices throughout New...
Weekly Spark

Social life may be key to suicide prevention for women

August 28, 2015
US News & World Report A recent study of 46- to 71-year-old women in the United States concluded that social...
Weekly Spark

Community of Practice: Planning a Collaborative Research Project

August 28, 2015
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention is launching a new Community of Practice (CoP) on the development of collaborative research projects...
Weekly Spark

Suicide in Indian Country

August 28, 2015
A review of suicide in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities found that successful suicide prevention programs used in...
Weekly Spark

Responding to a Cry for Help: Best Practices for Online Technologies

August 21, 2015
If your organization has an online presence (e.g., website, blog, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube), you or other users could encounter someone...
Weekly Spark

Bullying Prevention and Suicide Prevention for Schools: A Digital Approach from SAMHSA

August 21, 2015
This recently archived webinar provides an overview of the risk and impact of bullying and suicide in school-aged children and highlights the...
Weekly Spark

Annual conference of the National Association of Crisis Organization Directors

August 21, 2015
“Driving Change in Your Community” is the theme of this year’s conference, which will include networking opportunities and workshops to cultivate...
Weekly Spark

Ideas for Participating in World Suicide Prevention Day

August 21, 2015
World Suicide Prevention Day is coming up on September 10, and National Suicide Prevention Week is September 7-13. The theme...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: Suicide Prevention Australia calls for action after women's self-harm rates surge

August 21, 2015
The Sydney Morning Herald An Australian suicide prevention group is bringing attention to a recent rise in serious self-injury among...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Palo Alto installs Caltrain cameras, fences for suicide prevention efforts

August 21, 2015
The Stanford Daily Working together with the city of Palo Alto, California’s state-subsidized rail system is adding fencing, guards, and...
Weekly Spark

Robin Williams left “unprecedented” mark on suicide hotlines

August 21, 2015
Newsweek A year after actor Robin Williams’ suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is still receiving several hundred more calls...
Weekly Spark

Racial Disparities in Suicide among Young Children

August 21, 2015
The suicide rate among black children five to eleven years of age has increased significantly since 1993, from 1.36/million (1993-1997)...
Weekly Spark

Learn more about SAMHSA's Regional Administrators

August 14, 2015
Meet the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s ten regional administrators (RAs) who support behavioral health stakeholders, lead collaborative initiatives, and...
Weekly Spark

In My Mind: An LGBT People of Color Mental Health Conference

August 14, 2015
“Examining Our Challenges, Healing for our Strengths” is the theme of this one-day conference, co-sponsored by the group Depressed Black Gay...
Weekly Spark

Psychological autopsy certification training offered

August 14, 2015
The psychological autopsy has become a best practice postmortem procedure to reconstruct the proximate and distal causes of an individual's...
Weekly Spark

The Primary Care Provider’s Role in Preventing Suicide

August 14, 2015
Primary care physicians can play an important role in assessing and managing suicide risk. In this advanced practice webinar, sponsored by the...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: Suicide rate for middle-age men with mental health issues up 73 percent, report says

August 14, 2015
The Guardian Researchers have reported a rise in suicides among British men receiving mental health care, with alcohol use, job...
Weekly Spark

NEW JERSEY: Suicide Tally

August 14, 2015
Inside Higher Ed Recently proposed legislation would require New Jersey colleges and universities to publicize statistics on their students’ suicide...
Weekly Spark

“It's no longer dark”: Suicide attempt survivors share messages of hope

August 14, 2015
WBUR Some survivors of suicide attempts who have recovered from their suicidal thinking are seeking ways to help others by...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention in Rural Tribal Communities

August 14, 2015
The authors of this review article conclude that the high rate of suicide among American Indians—and especially youth—in rural areas...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Assessment and Intervention Training for Mental Health Professionals added to Section III of the SPRC Best Practices Registry

August 07, 2015
Developed by Riverside Trauma Center, Suicide Assessment and Intervention is a one-day training for clinicians and other mental health professionals on suicide...
Weekly Spark

Talking to a Child About a Suicide Attempt

August 07, 2015
A suicide attempt is likely one of the most difficult situations a family may ever face. This 24-page educational booklet and...
Weekly Spark

Continuum of Care and Care Transitions in the Military Health System

August 07, 2015
This summit on meeting the psychological health and traumatic brain injury needs of service members and veterans is sponsored by the Defense...
Weekly Spark

Peers as Crisis Service Providers

August 07, 2015
This webinar, sponsored by SAMHSA, is being offered a second time. Presenters will discuss the services that peers can provide, the...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: Fly-In, Fly-Out (FIFO) work can increase risk of mental health issues, West Australia parliamentary committee finds

August 07, 2015
ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) In some parts of Australia, miners are flown to remote locations to work, an arrangement leading...
Weekly Spark

OREGON: OSU-Cascades makes suicide prevention part of campus culture

August 07, 2015
The Bulletin The newest addition to the Oregon State University (OSU) system, OSU-Cascades, is building suicide prevention and mental health...
Weekly Spark

Doctors should screen all adults for depression, say expert panel

August 07, 2015
Medical News Today According to the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), doctors should regularly screen all adult patients...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention in Rural Communities

July 31, 2015
A Community of Practice convened by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center developed five key recommendations to improve suicide prevention in...
Weekly Spark

Systems Thinking for Injury and Violence Prevention

July 31, 2015
This two-hour online self-study training, created by the Safe States Alliance, provides participants with an overview of the principles and practices...
Weekly Spark

2015 National Suicide Prevention Week media and information kit now available

July 31, 2015
From September 7–13, schools, mental health providers, faith congregations, businesses, and others will help prevent suicide with outreach and awareness...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Ontario Hospital Association begins work to prevent suicide

July 31, 2015
NorthumberlandView.ca A new suicide prevention task force has begun working on a set of mandatory suicide prevention standards that will...
Weekly Spark

PENNSYLVANIA: Suicide prevention program takes step forward in Titusville schools

July 31, 2015
The Titusville Herald Recent legislation in Pennsylvania requires all schools to implement suicide prevention policies, and the Titusville school district...
Weekly Spark

Native American Cultural Competency Training

July 24, 2015
This webinar, sponsored by the National American Indian and Alaska Native Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network, is part of a series...
Weekly Spark

Transition to ICD-10 Codes with DSM-5 is required by October 1

July 24, 2015
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services offers guidance for all health care providers required to comply with new coding requirements by...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: Staff-prisoner relationships are key to managing suicide risk in prison, say researchers

July 24, 2015
Medical Xpress Seeking ways to reduce suicide deaths among 18- to 24-year-olds in custody, a government-sponsored research team asked prison...
Weekly Spark

HAWAII: Hawaii DOH launches hotlines for mental health, suicide crisis

July 24, 2015
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser A new crisis line focused on providing counseling to people who are potentially suicidal has been launched...
Weekly Spark

Exploring the Impact of Suicide Prevention Research in Social Media

July 24, 2015
Recent developments in the field of media and suicide research reflect a change in focus from traditional to online media...
Weekly Spark

School Climate and Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth

July 24, 2015
A supportive school environment can virtually eliminate the disparity in the rate of suicidal thoughts between lesbian, gay, and bisexual...
Weekly Spark

Healthy Minds Network releases 2014-2015 data report

July 17, 2015
The annual Healthy Minds Network data report provides a detailed picture of mental health and related issues in college student populations. Schools...
Weekly Spark

Survivor Outreach Team Training Manual added to Section III of the Best Practices Registry

July 17, 2015
Developed by the Kern County (CA) Mental Health Department, the Survivor Outreach Team Training Manual serves as a resource for developing and...
Weekly Spark

AUSTRALIA: On the suicide prevention frontline

July 17, 2015
ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) "The fact that someone has picked up the phone and rung Lifeline means that they...
Weekly Spark

Tours of Iraq and Afghanistan highlight those soldiers at highest suicide risk

July 17, 2015
Medical News Today As researchers continue to analyze data collected in the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in...
Weekly Spark

Telehealth Mental Health Services for Veterans

July 17, 2015
The Rural Mental Health program uses telehealth technologies “to increase access to high quality mental care for rural veterans” in...
Weekly Spark

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day webcast available

July 10, 2015
SAMHSA has posted its webcast from National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on May 7. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews...
Weekly Spark

Responding to Suicide Clusters on College Campuses

July 10, 2015
In this two-part web conference, co-sponsored by SAMHSA and the JED Foundation, presenters will discuss the epidemiology and demographics of suicide...
Weekly Spark

IRELAND: New national strategy to prevent suicide

July 10, 2015
IrishHealth.com Connecting for Life, Ireland’s newly launched suicide prevention strategy for 2015 through 2020, sets the ambitious goal of reducing...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: Colleges work to prevent suicide and fight stigma around mental health on campus

July 10, 2015
WBUR Campus mental health centers serve, on average, about 10 percent of the student body, although the rate of usage...
Director's Corner

Champions, Catalyzers, and Cultivators

July 01, 2015
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) continues to work toward fulfilling a vision of a nation free from the...
Weekly Spark

International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership

June 26, 2015
The International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) focuses on improving mental health and addiction services by connecting leaders globally to share...
Weekly Spark

2015 Midwest Regional Suicide Conference

June 26, 2015
The state suicide prevention programs in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, along with the Missouri Mental Health Foundation, are pleased to...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Quebec cuts suicide rates despite lack of a national prevention strategy

June 26, 2015
iPolitics At the world conference of the International Association for Suicide Prevention last week, researchers from Quebec shared news of...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: New suicide prevention website targets middle-aged men

June 26, 2015
The Boston Globe When a report from the National Violent Death Reporting System last year showed that the suicide rate...
Weekly Spark

Four ways hospitals are improving behavioral health care

June 26, 2015
Hospitals & Health Networks Most hospital emergency departments (EDs) are not designed to provide optimum care to patients in a...
Weekly Spark

Exploring the Impact of Suicide Prevention Research in the Criminal Justice System

June 26, 2015
Incarceration has been identified as a risk factor for suicide and studies have shown that suicide is significantly higher among...
Weekly Spark

Translating SPRC’s Sustainability Recommendations into Action

June 26, 2015
SPRC is pleased to share a new sustainability resource, Leaving a Legacy: Translating SPRC's Sustainability Recommendations into Action. This document draws on...
Weekly Spark

Evaluation of Rural Primary Care Toolkit

June 26, 2015
An evaluation of a training based on the Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Rural Primary Care indicated that the training was effective at...
Weekly Spark

What Research Infrastructure Do We Need to Reduce Suicidal Behavior?

June 19, 2015
Standard definitions of suicidal behavior, as well as common data elements and analyses across settings, are needed to advance the...
Weekly Spark

MONTANA: Bill aims to help tribes curb youth suicide

June 19, 2015
The Great Falls Tribune Steve Bullock, governor of Montana, has signed a measure allocating $250,000 to support youth suicide prevention...
Weekly Spark

Database may help identify veterans on the edge

June 19, 2015
The New York Times A new database created by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Institutes of...
Weekly Spark

Caring for Adult Patients with Suicide Risk: A Consensus Guide for Emergency Departments

June 19, 2015
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention estimates that up to 20% of suicides could be prevented with the implementation...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Attempt Risk among Youth in Impoverished Communities

June 19, 2015
The authors of a longitudinal study of African American youth living in extremely impoverished neighborhoods found that they had a...
Weekly Spark

Resources for working with peer support staff in crisis services

June 12, 2015
Peer support staff are individuals in recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder who have leveraged their lived...
Weekly Spark

Community Gatekeeper Training: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Older Adults & Suicide Prevention added to Section III of the Best Practices Registry

June 12, 2015
This 120-minute program is designed by Crisis Support Services of Alameda County to train gatekeepers to recognize when an older LGBT adult...
Weekly Spark

The truth behind the suicide statistic for older teen girls

June 12, 2015
National Public Radio In the World Health Organization’s most recent review of international adolescent health data, suicide has become the...
Weekly Spark

California suicide prevention program demonstrates promise, studies find

June 12, 2015
Medical Xpress A large-scale suicide prevention media campaign in California is showing early signs of successfully increasing awareness among the...
Weekly Spark

Strides in suicide prevention

June 12, 2015
US News & World Report In sectors from health care to the military, the effort to bring down the United...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Attempts and Mental Health Treatment

June 12, 2015
An analysis based on data from the 2008-2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that a substantial proportion...
Weekly Spark

Peers as crisis service providers

June 05, 2015
Peers are currently playing an increasing role in providing crisis services by running crisis respites, staffing crisis response centers, and...
Weekly Spark

June is PTSD Awareness Month

June 05, 2015
The National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) invites you to help raise PTSD awareness during the month of June to help...
Weekly Spark

NEW MEXICO: Native American youth face higher suicide risk

June 05, 2015
New Mexico In Depth Many young people in New Mexico’s Native American communities face a host of risk factors that...
Weekly Spark

No longer wanting to die

June 05, 2015
The New York Times Will Lippincott, a publishing professional, describes his experience of having been suicidal and of finding an...
Weekly Spark

United Kingdom: The NHS scheme to reduce stigma about suicide

May 29, 2015
The Guardian Inspired by the Perfect Depression Care program at the Henry Ford Behavioral Health Services in Detroit, the British...
Weekly Spark

Govs Tackle Suicide Prevention

May 29, 2015
State Net Capitol Journal Four governors have recently signed bills to help prevent suicide among school-age children. The Georgia bill...
Weekly Spark

Army chaplains need training to help suicidal soldiers

May 29, 2015
USA Today Nearly all army chaplains and chaplain assistants have worked with soldiers who are suicidal, and many say that...
Weekly Spark

Therapeutic Interventions for Adolescents

May 29, 2015
A team review and meta-analysis of therapeutic interventions designed to reduce (1) non-suicidal self-harm and (2) suicide attempts among adolescents...
Weekly Spark

SWITZERLAND: Swiss Federal Railways tackle suicide taboo

May 22, 2015
The Local In a departure from its previous policy, Switzerland’s state-owned railway recently held a press conference about the problem...
Weekly Spark

MASSACHUSETTS: After cluster of suicides, MIT works to relieve student pressure, raise awareness

May 22, 2015
WBUR On the campus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a range of efforts are underway to help students manage stress,...
Weekly Spark

Facebook's suicide prevention tools connect friends, test privacy

May 22, 2015
National Public Radio With a recently launched feature, Facebook is attempting to help friends respond to posts that could indicate...
Weekly Spark

American Indian Adolescents in Emergency Departments

May 22, 2015
A study of White Mountain Apache adolescents who had attempted suicide found that 82 percent had visited an emergency department...
Weekly Spark

CONNECTICUT: Indicators of teen depression, earlier suicides, on the rise

May 15, 2015
The Hartford Courant Based on new data about self-harm and suicidal behavior among youth in Connecticut, the state’s Office of...
Weekly Spark

Lost in transition after cancer

May 15, 2015
The New York Times “We like to think of the end of cancer treatment as the closing of a chapter,...
Weekly Spark

Violent and Serious Suicide Attempts

May 15, 2015
A study of more than 1,000 people who attempted suicide in France found that those who made violent suicide attempts...
Weekly Spark

CANADA: Supportive families and schools critical in protecting transgender youth health: University of British Columbia study

May 15, 2015
UBC News A new study shows significant rates of self-harm and suicidal behavior among Canada’s transgender youth, but also offers...
Weekly Spark

IRELAND: Men in construction sectors “account for half of male suicides”

May 08, 2015
The Irish Times An in-depth study in Ireland’s Cork County showed recently that about half of the men who had...
Weekly Spark

Federal mental health chief calls rising suicide rate “unacceptable”

May 08, 2015
WBUR In a recent interview, National Institute of Mental Health Director Tom Insel reflected on the United States’ still-rising suicide...
Director's Corner

Postvention as Prevention

May 07, 2015
The term “postvention” is a great example of suicide prevention jargon that means little to those outside the field and...
Weekly Spark

OREGON: Clark County Jail works to reduce inmate suicides

May 01, 2015
Oregon Public Broadcasting “For most of us, the way we deal with being overwhelmed is that we talk to somebody,...
Weekly Spark

Working through depression: Many stay on the job, despite mental illness

May 01, 2015
National Public Radio One effect of the March Germanwings crash was to focus public attention on depression, due to speculation...
Weekly Spark

The impact of the Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention Program

May 01, 2015
Analysis of evaluation data from Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Memorial Youth Suicide Prevention Program grantees found that counties with GLS...
Weekly Spark

UNITED KINGDOM: How a visual cliché about mental health can slip through

April 24, 2015
The Guardian Even for newspapers that are committed to responsible reporting on suicide and mental illness, it can be a...
Weekly Spark

For young people in rural areas, suicide poses a growing threat

April 24, 2015
NPR A recent study found that the rate of suicide is almost twice as high among rural young people (ages...
Weekly Spark

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents

April 24, 2015
The authors of a study of dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents (DBT-A) in Norway concluded “that it is indeed possible...
Weekly Spark

WASHINGTON: As PTSD cases surge, Army overhauling mental health services

April 17, 2015
The Seattle Times As part of   within the military system and fewer referrals are being made to private facilities. At...
Weekly Spark

Blocking the paths to suicide

April 17, 2015
The New York Times One effective way to protect a person from dying by suicide is to restrict that person’s...
Weekly Spark

NEW YORK: New York City to teens: TXT ME with mental health worries

April 10, 2015
NPR "I know from personal experience that reaching out when you're in pain can be the turning point – the...
Weekly Spark

The wrong way to explain Fredric Brandt’s suicide

April 10, 2015
New York Magazine In the days since well-known dermatologist Fredric Brandt’s death by suicide, much media coverage has suggested that...
Director's Corner

Progress and Promise

April 07, 2015
The suicide rate in the United States has remained fairly constant since the end of World War II. This has...
Weekly Spark

CALIFORNIA: Caltrain, South Bay communities work to reduce suicides on train tracks

April 03, 2015
KQED Each year, transit police in California’s South Bay area who have received crisis intervention training intervene in dozens of...
Weekly Spark

Addressing stigma, disparities in minority mental health: Access to care among barriers

April 03, 2015
The Nation’s Health “When people talk about mental illness, when it’s discussed or shown through the media, they never really...
Weekly Spark

Home Foreclosures and Suicide

April 03, 2015
A recent study found that home foreclosures likely contributed to an increase in the suicide rate among middle-aged adults during...
Weekly Spark

PENNSYLVANIA: New documentary addresses stress, suicide among police officers

March 27, 2015
The Philadelphia Inquirer Twice as many police officers die by suicide each year as lose their lives in traffic accidents...
Weekly Spark

“The biggest barrier” to preventing suicide: Not talking about it

March 27, 2015
WBUR “I don’t hold back anymore. My brother died by suicide. My brother struggled,” said Justine Barnes, describing the commitment...
Weekly Spark

ILLINOIS: Why the U.S. mental health care system needs more places for people to just chill out

March 20, 2015
Science.mic What if, rather than heading to a hospital emergency room for help with a mental health crisis, people could...
Weekly Spark

Mental health providers look for federal incentives to go digital, too

March 20, 2015
Kaiser Health News Many health care providers see great potential benefit to integrating patients’ mental and physical health records, and...
Weekly Spark

MICHIGAN: Detroit tackles suicide taboos head on

March 13, 2015
The Guardian Since the implementation 14 years ago of a comprehensive prevention approach now known as Zero Suicide, the Henry...
Weekly Spark

How schools cope after a tragedy like suicide

March 13, 2015
US News & World Report In the aftermath of a student’s death by suicide, staff and other students face several...
Weekly Spark

Connectedness and Adolescents (Part 2)

March 13, 2015
In the February 27, 2015 issue of the Weekly Spark, our research summary explored the conclusions of a literature review about...
Weekly Spark

SOUTH DAKOTA: Preventing suicide with a “contagion of strength”

March 06, 2015
NPR For seven years, South Dakota’s Rapid City Central High School has been using a suicide prevention program called Sources...
Weekly Spark

How Patient Suicide Affects Psychiatrists

March 06, 2015
The Atlantic The grief that mental health providers feel when they lose a patient to suicide is often compounded by...
Director's Corner

Toward Zero Suicide: The Essential Role of Data

March 05, 2015
Zero Suicide is a systematic approach to preventing suicide in health care and behavioral health settings. The Zero Suicide approach...
Weekly Spark

Inside the quest to prevent suicides through better data

February 27, 2015
FCW: The Business of Federal Technology Together, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are...
Weekly Spark

Connectedness and Adolescents (Part 1)

February 27, 2015
The authors of a literature review have concluded that there is a significant association between social connectedness and protection against...
Weekly Spark

Social Integration and Suicide

February 20, 2015
A study of male health professionals 40-75 years of age found that the risk of suicide decreased as their levels...
Weekly Spark

Thailand: The need for compassion when lives are on the line

February 20, 2015
The Bangkok Post The Samaritans of Thailand crisis line is recruiting more volunteers than in previous years, thanks to a...
Weekly Spark

New Mexico: Crisis phones installed, activated at Gorge Bridge

February 20, 2015
The Santa Fe New Mexican On each of ten new call boxes at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, a sign...
Weekly Spark

CAMBODIA: Why Cambodians never get “depressed”

February 13, 2015
NPR While an American might describe a state of “depression,” a Cambodian with the same symptoms might instead say “the...
Weekly Spark

IOWA: National partnership to allow Crisis Center chat services 24/7

February 13, 2015
The Iowa City Press-Citizen In partnership with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Johnson County’s Crisis Center is now able to...
Weekly Spark

Preventing suicides among veterans is at center of bill passed by Senate

February 13, 2015
The New York Times Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have now unanimously passed the Clay Hunt Suicide...
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Parents of Children Who Die by Suicide

February 13, 2015
A large-scale study in Manitoba revealed that parents whose offspring (adult and minor children) died by suicide, as well as...
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UNITED KINGDOM: New strategy to cut suicides “achievable,” says Clegg

February 06, 2015
BBC "We have to break this hidden assumption that nothing can be done to stop people killing themselves,” said United...
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NEW JERSEY: N.J.-funded experts get the call when tragedy strikes

February 06, 2015
The Record Each county in New Jersey has a trained, state-coordinated crisis team that is ready to respond in the...
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More pastors embrace talk of mental ills

February 06, 2015
The New York Times Some evangelical Christian leaders in the United States have begun to advocate for a greater acceptance...
Director's Cornerc

Working Together to Prevent Suicide and Intimate Partner Violence

February 05, 2015
Last summer I had the privilege of participating in a SAMHSA-sponsored Technical Expert Panel on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and...
Weekly Spark

Mental health in the workplace is costing business $11 billion a year

January 30, 2015
The Sydney Morning Herald A new report suggests that Australian businesses have much to gain from investing in policies that...
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Suicide prevention strategies among Alaska Native youth

January 30, 2015
Native Times To help prevent youth suicide in remote Alaska Native communities, a new project called PC-CARES (Professional-Community Collaborations for At-risk youth...
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Navy: Store guns of sailors at risk for suicide

January 30, 2015
The Virginian-Pilot The United States Navy has formally advised its commanders to ask sailors thought to be at risk for...
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AUSTRALIA & THE UNITED KINGDOM: Portraying suicide: Research on UK arts coverage and shifts in stage and screen practice in Australia

January 23, 2015
Crikey Like Australia, the UK has established guidelines for journalists to help them cover suicide responsibly. However, researchers from University...
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MINNESOTA: The middle aged, especially men, are at a growing risk of suicide

January 23, 2015
Minnesota Public Radio Mirroring a nationwide trend, Minnesota has seen a disproportionate rise in the suicide rate among men between...
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When teens talk of suicide: What you need to know

January 23, 2015
WBUR It can be difficult for parents to differentiate between teenagers’ normal expressions of negative feelings, and signs of suicidal...
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Race/Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, and Suicide Risk among Youth

January 23, 2015
An analysis of Youth Risk Behavior Survey data found that although young people who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB,...
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"Conversion therapy" endangers LGBT youth and must stop: U.S. report

January 16, 2015
Reuters Efforts to ban conversion therapy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth are gaining support. A recent SAMHSA...
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Psych patients pack emergency rooms

January 16, 2015
The Orange County Register Residents of California’s Orange County who need urgent psychiatric care are spending increasing amounts of time...
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Schools take on stress

January 16, 2015
US News & World Report Colleges and universities are taking innovative steps to reduce stress and anxiety among students. A...
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Suicidal Behavior and Mental Disorders in Adolescents

January 16, 2015
The “vast majority of youth with suicidal behaviors [i.e. ideation, making a suicide plan, and attempting suicide] have preexisting mental...
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Risks in using social media to spot signs of mental distress

January 09, 2015
The New York Times Samaritans, a British suicide prevention organization, recently introduced a Twitter app that it hoped would encourage...
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Los Angeles County implements program to ensure mentally ill get treatment

January 09, 2015
The Los Angeles Times In November, Los Angeles County approved a plan that increases the availability of treatment for people...
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Depression is often undertreated in seniors

January 09, 2015
The Washington Post As a large generation of Americans ages into late life, many experts note the increasing importance of...
Director's Corner

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: The First Ten Years

January 05, 2015
The tenth anniversary of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides an opportunity to look back and ask “What have we...
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Decriminalizing of suicide welcomed

December 19, 2014
The Hindu...
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State searches for solutions to alarming rise in suicides

December 19, 2014
The Star Tribune...
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Caitlin Ryan's story from the Let Love Define Family series

December 19, 2014
The Huffington Post
Director's Corner

Introducing the SPARK Talks

December 15, 2014
I am pleased to be able to use this Director’s Corner to introduce the SPARK Talks, a new and special resource...
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Toronto public health report urges action to prevent suicides

December 12, 2014
The Toronto Globe & Mail In a recent report to the Toronto Board of Health, the city’s public health department...
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Gun shops, public health officials find common ground

December 12, 2014
US News & World Report In New Hampshire, a coalition of gun shop owners and public health experts has been...
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Debunking the holiday suicide myth

December 12, 2014
The Huffington Post Nationwide, suicides are regularly at their lowest rate in the month of December, yet the myth persists...
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Military Children and Suicide Risk

December 12, 2014
A large study in California found that adolescents with parents or siblings serving in the military are at increased risk...
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Youth in Juvenile Detention Centers

December 05, 2014
A study in Indiana found that youth in juvenile detention facilities who screen positive for mental health issues are significantly...
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The garden of peace: Helping veterans heal the mental scars of war

December 05, 2014
The Guardian In Scotland and England, an organization called Gardening Leave offers a quiet space for veterans to work on...
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Aspen has no psych beds, but it's pushing other ways to stop suicides

December 05, 2014
The Denver Post Although the year-round population of Aspen is small (around 6,700), the town hosts many visitors who come...
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Military suicide survivors help each other heal at seminar

December 05, 2014
Stars and Stripes In St. Petersburg, Florida, the National Military Survivor Seminar recently convened for its seventh annual session. Coordinated...
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Indigenous suicide: “Prevention should focus on cultural reconnection”

November 21, 2014
The Guardian Some advocates from Indigenous communities in Australia, which have been hit by high rates of youth suicide, have...
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New system will help prevent violent deaths

November 21, 2014
The Monroe Courier The Connecticut Department of Public Health has been awarded $925,000 from the Centers for Disease Control and...
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To counter gun violence, researchers seek deeper data

November 21, 2014
National Public Radio The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently expanded the National Violent Death Reporting System,...
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Research Does Not Increase Suicide Risk

November 21, 2014
People who are at elevated risk of suicide can participate in research without increasing their suicide risk, according to the...
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New Boise nonprofit puts mental health first for musicians

November 14, 2014
Boise State Public Radio Local musicians have created a non-profit called The Boise Hive, providing independent performing and recording artists...
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“Every life is touched by suicide”: Stanford psychiatrist on the importance of prevention

November 14, 2014
Scope (published by Stanford Medicine) The journal Academic Psychiatry dedicated its October, 2014 issue to the topic of increasing suicide awareness and prevention...
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Suicidal Behavior and Acculturation among Hispanics in the United States

November 14, 2014
A recent study found that the lifetime risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts for Hispanics living in the United...
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Self-Perceived Competence in Working with Suicidal Patients

November 07, 2014
A survey in Portugal revealed that 89 percent of a sample of psychiatrists, psychologists, and general practitioners (GPs) who had...
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Canada leads global suicide prevention study

November 07, 2014
The StarPhoenix Canada will lead an eight-nation study of suicide prevention strategies in the regions of the globe that surround...
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University of Arizona takes integrated approach to suicide prevention

November 07, 2014
UA News Through a SAMHSA-funded, campus-wide initiative called Project Lifeline, the University of Arizona (UA) has created a suicide prevention...
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Depressed teens may need extra support to stick with treatment

November 07, 2014
National Public Radio A recently published study found that “collaborative care” makes teenagers more likely to follow through with their...
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Suicide prevention campaign begins

October 31, 2014
The Irish Times Ireland’s National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) has launched its first suicide prevention communications campaign, called Little Things....
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Montana gets $12.5M in public school grants

October 31, 2014
KRTV Through two large grants, Montana has received federal funding to improve school climate and mental health for the state’s...
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Two months after Robin Williams’ death, suicide hotlines still see a spike in calls

October 31, 2014
Newsweek In the days after Robin Williams’ suicide was announced in August, crisis hotlines nationwide reported a surge in calls....
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Autonomy and Older Men

October 31, 2014
A study of 98 adults aged sixty and over showed that depression contributed to increased suicide risk only in men...
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Massachusetts National Guard is fighting a war against suicide

October 24, 2014
WBUR Recent data from the Department of Defense show that the Army National Guard has a higher suicide rate than...
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Breaking the Jewish community’s silence around suicide

October 24, 2014
Tablet Elijah’s Journey: A Jewish Response to Suicide is a nonprofit organization working to raise awareness in Jewish communities about...
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LGBT Active Military/Veterans and Suicide Risk

October 24, 2014
A literature review revealed a “paucity of research” about suicide risk among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military personnel...
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Evidence-based suicide prevention begins with deeper analysis

October 17, 2014
The Age Two years ago, the Coroners’ Court of the state of Victoria established a specialized database to compile information...
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More treatment options appear as county’s suicide rate doubles national average

October 17, 2014
The Flathead Beacon In response to a local suicide rate that is higher than the national average, county agencies are...
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Changing the message about suicide

October 17, 2014
The EDC Newsroom At a recent gathering in Washington, DC, working journalists gathered to learn how they can report responsibly...
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Suicide and College Students

October 17, 2014
A study of college students revealed that the fulfillment of basic psychological needs, including autonomy, competence, and relatedness, can buffer...
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California adopts 'gun violence restraining order' law

October 10, 2014
Al-Jazeera America Under a new law in California, police or family members may request a special restraining order to temporarily...
Director's Corner

Suicide in Late Life: Unique Factors and Enduring Treatment Gaps

October 07, 2014
Suicide among older adults (individuals 65+) is a major public health concern. While the overall suicide rate among older adults...
Weekly Spark

Suicide is a big problem where you’d least expect it

October 03, 2014
National Public Radio A recently released report by the World Health Organization showed that three-fourths of the world’s suicides occur...
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Mental health cops help reweave social safety net In San Antonio

October 03, 2014
National Public Radio The San Antonio police department includes a “mental health squad” of specially trained officers whose basic understanding...
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Inside the secret world of teen suicide hashtags

October 03, 2014
Buzzfeed Using special hashtags, some social media users are creating online spaces to share images and messages that promote self-harm....
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Suicide and Media Attention

October 03, 2014
The news media tends to focus on suicides with the greatest potential to contribute to copycat suicides or to distort...
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Suicide prevention phone lines plagued by delays, mental health advocates say

September 26, 2014
CTV News Several of Canada’s 60+ independently run crisis phone lines are receiving increased numbers of calls, but in many...
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State study reports more than 700 suicides a year in Wisconsin over five-year span

September 26, 2014
WQOW A new report, The Burden of Suicide in Wisconsin 2007-2011, has been produced by several agencies and organizations working in...
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“Is attempted suicide just so terribly shameful?”

September 26, 2014
The Guardian Although it is well-documented that people who survive a suicide attempt are at heightened risk for eventual death...
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ASIST’s Impact on Crisis Center Counselors

September 26, 2014
Training for telephone crisis counselors should include a strong focus on helping callers explore their reasons for living, helping callers...
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New project offers hope to reduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicides

September 19, 2014
The Stringer The Australian government has awarded funding to a national project that will formally evaluate suicide prevention programs serving...
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Tribal members walk to shed light on suicide

September 19, 2014
The Yakima Herald-Republic On September 12, many American Indian tribes held walks in honor of National Suicide Prevention Week. For...
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Nonprofit shares data about troubled teens with researchers

September 19, 2014
The Chronicle of Philanthropy The one-year-old Crisis Text Line for teenagers has gathered a large amount of data based on...
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A Global Perspective on Suicidal Behaviors

September 19, 2014
Data from a World Health Organization study in the Western Pacific revealed that, with some exceptions, gender patterns of suicide...
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“Now is the time to act,” UN urges on release of first global report on suicide prevention

September 12, 2014
UN News Centre The United Nations’ World Health Organization (WHO) has released a historic report on suicide around the world,...
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In Northwest Arctic, teens to lead the way in suicide prevention

September 12, 2014
The Alaska Dispatch News To address the high teen suicide rate in its area, a school district in Alaska’s Northwest...
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The science behind suicide contagion

September 12, 2014
The New York Times Since a 12% spike in U.S. suicides was documented following the 1962 death of Marilyn Monroe,...
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Health Care Prior to Suicide

September 12, 2014
The authors of a study of health care use by patients who died by suicide have provided additional evidence that...
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Helping Hispanic students cope with mental health issues

September 05, 2014
Hispanic Outlook (Follow the link above, then check "free preview" to read the full article.) The University of Texas-Pan American...
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USC School of Social Work study pinpoints a veteran’s vulnerability

September 05, 2014
USC News In a study published by Current Psychiatry Reports in June, researchers at the University of Southern California have identified specific...
Director's Corner

Connecting for Suicide Prevention

September 04, 2014
The theme of this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day/National Suicide Prevention Week is Suicide Prevention: One World Connected. The importance...
Weekly Spark

George Washington Bridge to get suicide prevention fence

August 29, 2014
New York and New Jersey BBC News In response to an increase in suicide deaths by people jumping from the...
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Many problems lead to thoughts of suicide, study finds

August 29, 2014
The New York Times Recent research on suicidal thoughts among older adults suggests that while depression is often a significant...
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Telephone Counseling and Suicidal Older Adults

August 29, 2014
An Australian research team studying how crisis call counselors perceive callers over the age of 65 who are in suicidal...
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Police, fire, ambulance personnel face high PTSD rates

August 22, 2014
CBC News Efforts in Canada are underway to improve treatment access for emergency first responders who suffer from posttraumatic stress...
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Bringing awareness to suicide prevention

August 22, 2014
The Lodi Enterprise     In Wisconsin’s Columbia County, leaders from across the public sector have formed a coalition to address rates...
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Calls to crisis hotlines surge after Williams' suicide

August 22, 2014
USA Today In the days after the highly publicized suicide of actor Robin Williams, calls to crisis lines increased dramatically....
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Internet search engines as both an aid and a danger for people at risk of suicide

August 15, 2014
Health Canal When people who are contemplating suicide turn to the Internet, what are they most likely to find? A...
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Arizona ‘gay camp’ a summer refuge for LGBT youth

August 15, 2014
The Arizona Republic Over Labor Day weekend, young people and adult staff will gather in Prescott, Arizona for the seventh...
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Blood test could predict risk of suicide

August 15, 2014
The Washington Post Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new diagnostic tool that could help identify individuals with...
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Designing Interventions for Adolescents

August 15, 2014
A group of researchers conducted a critical review of existing research studies to provide guidance on developing interventions to reduce...
Director's Corner

The Framework for Successful Messaging

August 08, 2014
Each September, World Suicide Prevention Day and National Suicide Prevention Week provide special opportunities to bring our message of prevention...
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Suicide survival stories must be told, says Australian mental health chief

August 08, 2014
The Guardian A recently published study of several Australian suicide attempt survivors highlights the importance of including survivor perspectives in...
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St. Cloud police reach out to kids scarred by trauma

August 08, 2014
The Star Tribune The St. Cloud, MN police department has added a new position: trauma-informed advocate. Based on situations officers...
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Inadequate mental health care for blacks with depression and diabetes, high blood pressure

August 08, 2014
Center for Advancing Health According to a study recently published in General Hospital Psychiatry, black patients with depression and another chronic...
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Veterans to get better access to mental health services

August 01, 2014
The Sydney Morning Herald Australia has enacted several new measures to expand and improve mental health services for its military...
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Peer specialist draws on own struggles to stem mental health crisis

August 01, 2014
The Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel Milwaukee County has launched a peer support program for patients discharged from its psychiatric hospital, in...
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Demons inside: Teens at risk can hide mental illness

August 01, 2014
NBC News Shame and stigma continue to play major roles in the lives of many teenagers who live with a...
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Bipolar Disorder and Suicide Risk

August 01, 2014
A study in England revealed that 24 percent of patients with bipolar disorder (and 19 percent of patients with other...
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Anti train suicide partnership to continue despite rise in deaths

July 25, 2014
Milton Keynes News The Network Rail company and the suicide prevention group Samaritans are renewing a partnership formed in 2010...
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Coroners Association leader pledges to help, not block suicide review efforts

July 25, 2014
The Missoulian Greg Kirkwood, the new president of the Coroners Association of Montana, has voiced support for a research effort...
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Baby boomers have the highest rate of suicide

July 25, 2014
The Kansas City Star Since 2008, when the U.S. economy took a downturn, the suicide rate among adults ages 45-64...
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Educating Health Care Providers about Self-Injury

July 25, 2014
Noting that non-suicidal self-injury (NNSI) is a widespread problem associated with increased suicide risk, and that many patients do not...
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Gun violence and mental illness: Study addresses perception vs. reality

July 18, 2014
The UCLA Newsroom A new report, conducted by an international group of researchers and based on an analysis of dozens...
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Occupations and Suicide Risk

July 18, 2014
A meta-analysis of 34 studies found that people in occupations requiring a lower level of skill are more at risk...
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Training aims at dealing with the loss of suicide

July 18, 2014
The Columbus Dispatch A national postvention program – Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) – has been expanding in Ohio....
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Experts call for national suicide rate to be halved

July 11, 2014
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation Suicide prevention organizations from across Australia recently convened for a symposium in Sydney, to coordinate their...
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Coverage for mental health is improving

July 11, 2014
The Columbus Dispatch Health insurance coverage for mental health treatment has been expanding in Ohio, due to state and federal...
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How vets help vets conquer the after-war

July 11, 2014
The Christian Science Monitor Eagle's Healing Nest is a nonprofit transitional residence for male former service members with mental health...
Director's Corner

Success and Inspiration at the Zero Suicide Academy

July 07, 2014
From June 26-27, 2014, SPRC was honored to host the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s first Zero Suicide Academy....
Weekly Spark

Western Australia mentoring program tackles high veterinarian suicide rate

June 27, 2014
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation In the largely rural state of Western Australia, veterinarians face challenges to their mental health such...
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Mental health 101: Program helps police intervene in crises

June 27, 2014
National Public Radio Connecticut lawmakers have passed a bill making mental health response training available to all of the state’s...
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Experts: Suicide more prevalent in elder population

June 27, 2014
The Sentinel & Enterprise The recent suicide death of a 78-year-old man in Leominster, MA has drawn attention to the...
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Young People’s Reactions to Suicide Loss

June 27, 2014
The results of a pilot study revealed that young people who were between the ages of 16 and 24 when...
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Rail staff to train in self-harm awareness

June 20, 2014
The Age (Victoria) TrackSafe, an Australian railway industry group, has launched an effort to reduce the number of suicide deaths...
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War’s elite tough guys, hesitant to seek healing

June 20, 2014
The New York Times In response to a sharp rise in the suicide rate among soldiers in the armed services’...
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Suicide prevention trainings ramp up to meet demand

June 20, 2014
Forefront Training in suicide prevention is now mandated for some 26,000 social service and mental health professionals in the state...
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Post-discharge Follow-up as Suicide Prevention

June 20, 2014
A review of 11 research studies concluded that multiple contacts with patients discharged from psychiatric hospitalization or emergency departments after...
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National investigation into child suicide launched

June 13, 2014
Medical Xpress The University of Manchester is preparing to launch an investigation into youth suicide in the United Kingdom, hoping...
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Preventing law enforcement officer suicide

June 13, 2014
The Community Policing Dispatch A report just released by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) examines the mental...
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Glimmers of hope as Western Alaska school goes three years without suicide

June 13, 2014
The Alaska Dispatch After three suicides among students at a small school in Western Alaska a few years ago, the...
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Suicide Attempts and Depression in Primary Care Patients

June 13, 2014
Although ten percent of adults with depressive disorders attempted suicide over the course of a five-year study, the patients’ primary...
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Youth suicide: Gaining traction in treating mental illness

June 06, 2014
The Lebanon Express Thanks to state legislation passed earlier this year, Oregon has strengthened its youth suicide prevention efforts. Oregon...
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A Decade of Service

June 04, 2014
On June 3, 2014, Senator Gordon H. Smith stepped down as the private sector co-chair of the National Action Alliance...
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Suicide and Suicidal Ideation in the United Kingdom

May 30, 2014
A data analysis has revealed a decline in the United Kingdom’s suicide rate during a period when there was no...
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Telepsychiatry brings emergency mental health care to rural areas

May 30, 2014
National Public Radio A recent study in North Carolina concludes that telepsychiatry - a consultation via videoconference between a patient...
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Task force says asking all patients about suicide won’t cut risk

May 30, 2014
National Public Radio A federal panel examined the case for universal suicide risk screening by primary care providers, and concluded...
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Rwanda: Depression the leading cause of disability in youth, says report

May 23, 2014
AllAfrica.com A study recently released by the World Health Organization (WHO), "Health of the World's Adolescents," reports that depression and...
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New Mexico State University-Las Cruces part of national pilot program examining behavioral health

May 23, 2014
KRWG New Mexico’s Doña Ana County is one of ten pilot sites for a project, funded by SAMHSA and facilitated...
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Police add texting to crisis negotiation arsenal

May 23, 2014
National Public Radio As more people make texting their first choice for communication, law enforcement officers working one-on-one to prevent...
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Suicidal Thoughts and Attempts among High School Students: Trends

May 23, 2014
Research implying an increase in impulsive suicide attempts among US high school students over the last twenty years may have...
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New group aims to reduce suicides in North Lincolnshire

May 16, 2014
The Scunthorpe Telegraph In North Lincolnshire, a borough hit with a high number of suicide deaths last year, an ad...
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Bhutanese community leaders work to prevent suicide among refugees in New Hampshire

May 16, 2014
The Concord Monitor Since 2008, more than 2,000 Bhutanese refugees have settled in New Hampshire, after leaving refugee camps in...
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Overcoming barriers to mental health and substance abuse care

May 16, 2014
The Los Angeles Times Together, the Mental Health and Addiction Parity Act of 2010 and the recently implemented Affordable Care...
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Demographic and health-related risk factors for suicide

May 16, 2014
A study of Swedes over the age of 18 confirmed that psychiatric disorders are major risk factors for suicide. The...
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Human Rights Commission to look for ways to reduce youth suicide

May 09, 2014
The Guardian Australia’s Human Rights Commission has begun an investigation to improve understanding of self-harm and suicide among the country’s...
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Newspaper coverage linked with youth suicide clusters

May 09, 2014
USA Today A new study has focosed on the role of newspaper coverage as a risk factor in the phenomenon...
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Suicide Risk in the Army (Part 3)

May 09, 2014
The Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS) found DSM-IV disorders [i.e. mental disorders] to be more prevalent...
Weekly Spark

New Arizona law may help mentally ill

May 09, 2014
The Arizona Republic Arizona has enacted a law that expands police power to take people into psychiatric custody. The law,...
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Program aims to stop suicide, homelessness in LGBT Mormon youth

May 02, 2014
The Salt Lake Tribune The San Francisco State University-based Family Acceptance Project (FAP) has launched a new program to prevent...
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When shrinks put mindfulness on the couch

May 02, 2014
WBUR’s CommonHealth Blog At a recent conference of the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health...
Director's Corner
Directors Corner

Moving Forward with Attempt Survivors

April 30, 2014
The suicide attempt survivor movement had its origins in courageous acts of self-disclosure by a small number of pioneers who...
Weekly Spark

Suicide more likely in frequent-attenders at General Practitioners

April 24, 2014
MedicalExpress.com According to a new study by researchers at the University of Manchester, a high frequency of visits to a...
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On mental-health calls, officers call on training

April 24, 2014
The Sentinel & Enterprise News Police in Fitchburg, MA report good results from their special training in responding to suicide...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Risk in the Army (Part 2)

April 24, 2014
The Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS) found that much suicidal behavior (i.e. suicidal ideation,...
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Stop automatically disclosing suicide attempts: Privacy czar to cops

April 18, 2014
Global News Ann Cavoukian, Canada’s Privacy Commissioner, has issued a report on problems faced by some suicide attempt survivors at...
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Suicide prevention sheds a longstanding taboo: Talking about attempts

April 18, 2014
The New York Times The governing board of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) has voted to add a new...
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School district launching new efforts aimed at preventing student suicides

April 18, 2014
The Montana Standard With support from the state suicide prevention office, the Butte school district is putting in place a...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Risk in the Army. Part 1.

April 18, 2014
The Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS) found that from 2004 to 2009, the suicide...
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New suicide reporting restrictions recommended

April 11, 2014
New Zealand The New Zealand Herald Following an eight-month review of New Zealand’s media regulations, the country’s Law Commission has...
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More support needed for military caregivers, study finds

April 11, 2014
The Los Angeles Times A new study by the Rand Corporation shows the great extent to which veterans who need...
Weekly Spark

Area colleges proactive in suicide prevention

April 11, 2014
The [Uniontown] Herald-Standard A number of Pennsylvania colleges have taken steps to meet their students’ emotional and mental health needs,...
Director's Corner
Directors Corner

Learning from California

April 07, 2014
Anara lives and works in California The State of California has a long history of innovation in suicide prevention. In...
Weekly Spark

Government, schools need to do more to stop youth suicides, say experts

April 04, 2014
South China Morning Post Suicide prevention experts in Hong Kong are working to increase awareness of suicide and mental health...
Weekly Spark

Three ways students with mental illness can prepare for college

April 04, 2014
US News and World Report For teenagers with mental illnesses, entering college for the first time can be a stressful...
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Suicides mounting, Golden Gate Bridge looks to add a safety net

April 04, 2014
New York Times The board that oversees the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is expected in the next few...
Weekly Spark

Executive Functioning and Suicide Risk Assessment

April 04, 2014
An article in the Journal of Mental Health Counseling suggests that incorporating questions about executive functioning into suicide assessments may help mental...
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Mental health nurses to join police on the streets in pilot scheme

March 28, 2014
England The Northern Echo In Yorkshire, England, a new program has been launched to reduce the number of people detained...
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More than one-third of adults experiencing major depressive episodes did not talk to a care provider

March 28, 2014
SAMHSA A new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that 38.3 percent of the...
Weekly Spark

County’s mental health consortium gamble pays off

March 28, 2014
Pennsylvania The [Wilkes-Barre] Times-Leader In 2006, four adjoining Pennsylvania counties decided to share management of mental health and addiction treatment...
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Mental Health Follow-up among Adolescent ED Patients

March 28, 2014
A study conducted in Ohio found that adolescents seen in an emergency department (ED) because of a suicidal crisis were...
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Psychiatrists in short supply nationwide

March 21, 2014
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The number of medical students choosing to specialize in psychiatry is not great enough to meet the nation’s...
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Lawmakers reach deal on mental health

March 21, 2014
The News Virginian Virginia lawmakers have passed legislation intended to strengthen care immediately for people in mental health crisis and...
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Suicide Attempts and Long-Term Problems

March 21, 2014
A study found that people who made one or more suicide attempts through age 24 displayed significantly more mental health,...
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Teens’ brains make them more vulnerable to suicide

March 14, 2014
Boston Globe To address suicide among teenagers and young adults in the US, some researchers are focusing on new discoveries...
Weekly Spark

King County Pioneers New Practice for Refugee Mental Health

March 14, 2014
KUOW In Washington State—one of the biggest entry points for refugees entering the US—a group of service providers has developed...
Director's Corner
Directors Corner

A New Research Agenda for Suicide Prevention

March 07, 2014
Director, NIMH More than 38,000 Americans died by suicide in 2010, the most recent year for which we have national...
Weekly Spark

Study: Primary Care May Be Path to More Effective Suicide Prevention

March 07, 2014
WBUR CommonHealth blog One in every five people who died by suicide in the US from 2000 to 2010 had...
Weekly Spark

Court Order Prompts Prison Improvements for Mentally Ill

March 07, 2014
Indiana Public Media In response to a 2012 court ruling that the Indiana Department of Corrections (DOC) was failing to...
Director's Corner
Directors Corner

A Vision for Research

March 07, 2014
Private Sector Co-lead, Research Prioritization Task Force, National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention; Representative, National Council for Suicide Prevention; Chair...
Weekly Spark

Hope Center plans community forums on suicide

February 28, 2014
Aspen Daily News Pitkin County, Colorado has been implementing multiple strategies during the past several years to address its high...
Weekly Spark

Suicide Attempts and Anxiety Disorders

February 28, 2014
Researchers examined suicide attempts among a group of individuals diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, whom they followed for up to...
Weekly Spark

Asthma and migraine linked to higher risk of admission for self-harm

February 28, 2014
OnMedica A comparative study of hospital admissions in England, recently published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, shows...
Weekly Spark

Augusta mental health agency expands services to kids

February 21, 2014
The Kennebec Journal A counseling program recently launched in two Augusta area clinics aims to help children ages 3-17 who...
Weekly Spark

Communities taking frank approach after teen suicides

February 21, 2014
Boston Globe Many schools are now reacting to suicides more quickly and explicitly than before. “There’s no evidence that asking...
Weekly Spark

In texting era, crisis hotlines put help at youths’ fingertips

February 21, 2014
New York Times Texting has become such a significant way of communicating, especially among people under age 20, that crisis...
Weekly Spark

Thoughts of Deliberate Self-Harm and Help-Seeking

February 14, 2014
A study of U.S. children in grades 6-10 found that depressed youth (both those who are also thinking about deliberate...
Weekly Spark

LGBTI suicide prevention study

February 14, 2014
Gay News Network The Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention at Griffith University is launching a nationwide study to...
Weekly Spark

New program offers intervention after suicide

February 14, 2014
The Times Union Several community groups, guided by New York’s Rensselaer County Suicide Prevention Task Force, have come together to...
Weekly Spark

Transgender study links discrimination, suicide attempts

February 14, 2014
Los Angeles Daily News A new study has been completed on suicide risk among transgender and gender-non-conforming people, based on...
Weekly Spark

Bill sparks conflict about state’s role in regulating training for health care professionals

February 07, 2014
The Auburn Reporter Washington State is considering an expansion to its recently established Suicide Assessment, Treatment, and Management Training Act....
Director's Corner

From Awareness to Action

February 07, 2014
It’s time to talk about the big picture. The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention has set an aspirational goal...
Weekly Spark

New suicide risk assessment tool to be used in hospitals

February 07, 2014
CBC News A suicide risk assessment tool for use with young patients will soon be tested at health care facilities...
Weekly Spark

Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk

January 31, 2014
A study exploring the relationship between stigma (discomfort dealing with someone expressing suicidal thoughts) and suicide warning signs by comparing...
Weekly Spark

Progress on suicide prevention

January 31, 2014
gov.uk The first annual report on England’s cross-government suicide prevention strategy, Preventing Suicide in England: One Year On, emphasizes the importance...
Weekly Spark

Statewide school program in Idaho aims to prevent suicide

January 31, 2014
The Ravalli Republic Together, the Idaho Department of Education and the Suicide Prevention Action Network of Idaho are introducing a...
Weekly Spark

Taking notice of the hidden injury

January 31, 2014
ESPNCollege-level athletic programs provide trained staff to address athletes’ physical injuries, but are not always prepared to support them when...
Weekly Spark

Service Members and Psychiatric Hospitalization

January 24, 2014
A study of active-duty U.S. service members released from psychiatric hospitalization found that they were five times more likely to...
Weekly Spark

Debt firm staff trained to calm clients suicidal over mortgages

January 24, 2014
The Independent The staff of an Irish debt resolution agency are being trained in suicide prevention counseling by Samaritans. The...
Weekly Spark

Rural Solutions helps with suicide, poverty, health

January 24, 2014
The Fort Morgan Times The Rural Solutions program provides a wide range of services to prevent suicide, reduce poverty, and...
Weekly Spark

Self-Injury and Suicide

January 16, 2014
The authors of a study of students in five American colleges concluded that nonsuicidal self-injury “serves as a ‘gateway’ behavior...
Weekly Spark

Self-harm ‘four times more likely’ in female prisoners

January 16, 2014
BBC News Self-harm is a serious issue for women in prison, according to an Oxford University study of all prisons...
Weekly Spark

Police training in crisis intervention paying off

January 16, 2014
The Spokesman-Review The Spokane Police Department has recently introduced weeklong Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) to the comprehensive suicide prevention efforts...
Weekly Spark

National Guard trying to better address suicides by service members

January 16, 2014
The Palladium-Item Suicide has been an increasing problem among both active-duty soldiers and members of the National Guard and Reserve.One...
Weekly Spark

Trial sees volunteers befriend mental health service users

January 10, 2014
A small controlled trial in Ireland has provided help for mental health service users by “finding them a friend.” The trial, set up by University College Dublin’s (UCD) School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, matched 52 mental health users with volunteer friends or controls. The goal was to help mental health service users establish a friendship by going on social outings once a week for nine weeks. “For many mental health service users it can be difficult to socialize outside of activities organized by services,” explained lead study author Ann Sheridan. The findings showed that social functioning and confidence increased while loneliness and sense of isolation decreased. As a next step, the team at UCD School of Nursing hopes to set up similar befriending arrangements with community groups to help people with mental illness recover. In addition, a number of support groups, such as the Men’s Shed movement, are exploring the benefits of social contact with peers to help address mental health, depression, and suicide prevention.
Weekly Spark

Suicide Prevention Task Force gathering steam in Truckee/Tahoe

January 10, 2014
The Truckee/Tahoe community in California established a suicide prevention task force after six suicide deaths occurred among young people ages 12- 23 in the last 2½ years. The task force includes Placer and Nevada counties, the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District, the Community Collaborative (representing 45 nonprofit organizations), and the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation. The task force convened two community meetings involving approximately 200 community members to discuss community-driven solutions. Several programs have been implemented at local high schools, including centers offering wellness education, resources, and support; a health and wellness screening program to identify at-risk students and refer them for professional treatment; and Sources of Strength, a program designed to increase help-seeking and connections between peers and caring adults. Within the general community, QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) is being implemented to train gatekeepers. The task force is also involved with California’s statewide Know the Signs campaign to prevent suicide and reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness
Director's Corner

Crisis Lines

January 06, 2014
This story begins with a sign. In November, 2013, I was at the Trenton, New Jersey Amtrak Station waiting to...
Weekly Spark Research

Media Guidelines and People Bereaved by Suicide

December 19, 2013
A study from the UK revealed some tension and a difference in emphasis between the concerns of people bereaved by...
Weekly Spark Research

High-Risk Occupations for Suicide

December 06, 2013
Researchers in Britain found that suicide rates vary significantly among occupations and that the occupations associated with high rates of...
Director's Corner

Zero Suicide

December 06, 2013
For the past four years, SPRC has served as the Executive Secretariat for the Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. The...
Weekly Spark Research

Postcards as Prevention

November 22, 2013
Postcards sent to patients treated for deliberate self-poisoning significantly reduced the number of repeat episodes of self-poisoning by these patients....
Weekly Spark Research

Suicide Screening in Emergency Departments

November 08, 2013
A pilot project on suicide screening found that a substantial proportion of people treated for medical issues in emergency departments...
Director's Corner

90 Percent

November 07, 2013
In September I attended the International Association for Suicide Prevention 2013 World Congress in Oslo, Norway. More than 800 delegates...
Weekly Spark Research

Suicide and Military Deployment

November 01, 2013
A large study that included all branches of the United States military found no association between deployment (including combat experience,...
Weekly Spark Research

Bullying and Other Risk Factors for Suicidal Behavior

October 24, 2013
The results of a study of middle-school students (ages 10-13) confirmed that “involvement in bullying in any capacity is linked...
Weekly Spark Research

Social and Verbal Bullying and Suicide

October 11, 2013
A study of sixth, ninth, and twelfth grade students in Minnesota studied youth involved in one of three types of...
Weekly Spark Research

Bullying and Suicide

October 04, 2013
The authors of a study on the long-term effects of bullying recommend that questions about bullying be included in suicide...
Director's Corner

Beyond Rhetoric: Does It Get Better?

October 04, 2013
Everything changed when the attention of the media was captured by several highly visible youth suicides that seemed to be...
Weekly Spark Research

Precipitants of Youth Suicide

September 20, 2013
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report revealed that the two most common circumstances precipitating suicides by young...
Weekly Spark Research

Coping Skills and Trusted Adults as Protective Factors

September 12, 2013
A recent study revealed that the “capacity to identify, manage, and recover from painful emotions,” as well as relationships with...
Director's Corner

The Enduring Legacy of My Son, Garrett

September 09, 2013
Today, September 9, brings to mind some of the most wonderful times in my life and also the saddest. You...
Weekly Spark Research

Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and Mental Health Care

September 06, 2013
The authors of an article on a survey of veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan suggested that publicizing...
Weekly Spark Research

A Text-Based Crisis Service for Youth

August 09, 2013
A text-based crisis service for adolescents increased help-seeking behaviors among adolescents, according to the authors of an article describing a...
Weekly Spark Research

Warning Signs of Depression and Social Media

July 19, 2013
A study of first-year college students concluded that many would accept an offer of help for depression sparked by references...
Weekly Spark Research

Evaluating Suicide Prevention Programs

July 12, 2013
A team of nationally recognized experts in suicide prevention reviewed research and evaluation studies on 16 youth suicide prevention programs....
Director's Corner

Suicide in the Middle Years

July 08, 2013
In May, researchers from the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control reported that “the annual, age-adjusted suicide rate...
Weekly Spark Research

School-Based Suicide Prevention

June 27, 2013
Researchers from the University of Manitoba reviewed evaluations of school-based suicide prevention programs and concluded that “one program may not...
Weekly Spark Research

Veteran-specific suicide prevention

June 20, 2013
A report describing suicide prevention activities for veterans has been issued by researchers from the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Medical...
Weekly Spark Research

Comprehensive Suicide Prevention for College Campuses

June 13, 2013
This “Perspectives” piece offers a comprehensive framework for preventing suicide on college campuses that the authors contrast with the “standard”...
Director's Corner

The Role of Primary Prevention

June 06, 2013
When we talk about suicide prevention, we usually refer to “prevention" writ large, meaning anything and everything we do to...
Weekly Spark Research

Mental Health Service Use by Suicidal Adolescents

May 30, 2013
The authors of a study on people 13-18 years of age report that “adolescent suicidality often is untreated in the...
Weekly Spark Research

Insomnia and Suicidal Ideation in Older Adults

May 16, 2013
A study of people 65-94 years of age found that insomnia was significantly associated with suicidal ideation in this age...
Weekly Spark Research

Preventing Suicide in the Military

May 09, 2013
A pair of U.S. Army researchers explored the challenges of preventing military suicide in an issue of the Journal of...
Weekly Spark Research

Coping Strategies and Youth

May 02, 2013
Researchers from the Annenberg Public Policy Center identified three coping skills as being especially effective at preventing young people from...
Director's Corner

Voices That Inspire

May 02, 2013
This month I would like to look back on the important role that survivors of suicide loss have played in...
Weekly Spark Research

Suicide Attempts and Involvement with the Criminal Justice System

April 26, 2013
The authors of a study on suicide attempts and recent involvement with the criminal justice system suggest that the period...
Weekly Spark Research

Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk

April 11, 2013
Professionals who completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk (RRSR): Essential Skills for Clinicians training demonstrated long-term improvement in...
Weekly Spark Research

Victimization and Ideation in Adolescents

April 04, 2013
A team that studied the association between victimization and suicidal ideation concluded that it is important to assess young people...
Director's Corner

Update on Military Suicide Prevention

April 04, 2013
On March 21, I had the privilege of testifying before Congress during an Update on Military Suicide Prevention called by...
Weekly Spark Research

Suicidal Ideation and Primary Care Physicians

March 28, 2013
A study of physician-patient interactions indicated that work needs to be done to improve communication about depression and suicidal ideation. ...
Weekly Spark Research

Social Involvement and Older Adults

March 21, 2013
The authors of a study on death ideation among people older than 64 years of age recommended that strategies based...
Weekly Spark Research

Predicting Suicide Crises among Adolescents at High Risk

March 13, 2013
The authors of a study of adolescents released from inpatient psychiatric units after a suicidal crisis report that some established...
Director's Corner

Advancing Peer Support in Suicide Prevention

March 08, 2013
Peer support has long been recognized as important in prevention. Those bereaved by suicide loss – that is, the family...
Weekly Spark Research

Predicting Suicide with the SAD PERSONS Scale

February 21, 2013
A study of two widely used assessment tools for suicidal behavior, the SAD PERSONS scale and the Modified SAD PERSONS...
Weekly Spark Research

Suicide Assessment in the Emergency Department

February 14, 2013
The authors of a review of the research on assessing adult suicide risk in emergency departments (EDs) concluded that existing...
Director's Corner

Promoting Connectedness among Older Adults

February 07, 2013
Yeates Conwell, MD, Co-Director, Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention, University of Rochester Medical Center and member of the...
Weekly Spark Research

Research-based Recommendations to Improve Communications about Military and Veteran Suicide

January 31, 2013
Two SPRC staff members and a colleague from the National Institute of Mental Health authored a commentary outlining research-based guidelines...
Weekly Spark Research

Suicide Risk after Hospital Discharge for Drug Dependence

January 18, 2013
People receiving treatment for drug abuse are at increased risk for drug-related deaths (including suicide) as well as suicides involving...
Director's Corner

Our Next Big Challenge: Bringing Best Practices to Scale

January 08, 2013
The field of suicide prevention has made great strides in documenting best practices. As of September 2012, there were 106...
Weekly Spark Research

Help Seeking by Young People: Part II

December 13, 2012
A study of help-seeking among high school students who had seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months found that...
Weekly Spark Research

Help-Seeking by Young People: Part 1

December 07, 2012
A review of the research on help-seeking by young people found that although 40-68 percent of young people experiencing suicidal...
Weekly Spark Research

Public Education and Help-Seeking

November 29, 2012
This research summary is based on information in: Chamberlain, P. N., Goldney, R. D., Taylor, A. W., & Eckert, K....
Weekly Spark Research

Are There Multiple Paths To Suicide?

November 15, 2012
A recent paper by researchers from the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention discussed a commonly held model of...
Weekly Spark Research

Connectedness and Teenagers After a Suicidal Crisis

November 08, 2012
According to a new study from the University of Michigan, increases in family and peer connectedness can help protect youths...
Weekly Spark Research

Physical Illness and Suicide Risk

October 25, 2012
A study of 873 suicide cases and 17,460 controls indicated that the relationship among physical illness, suicide risk, and depression...
Director's Corner

Suicide Prevention Resource Center Celebrates Tenth Anniversary

October 18, 2012
Ten years ago, in October 2002, the national Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) was established with funding from SAMHSA. Its...
Weekly Spark Research

Linking Youth to Mental Health Services

October 11, 2012
The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention calls for increasing the percentage of patients who receive mental health care following emergency...
Weekly Spark Research

Retrospective Measures of Suicide Attempts in Youth

October 04, 2012
Asking young people about prior suicide attempts can provide valuable and reliable information for mental health professionals as well as...
Weekly Spark Research

Suicide Prevention as a Social Movement

September 27, 2012
The authors of a recent article argue that suicide prevention practitioners, researchers, and advocates can have a greater impact if...
Weekly Spark Research

Substance Use and Self-Injury in American Indian Youth

September 20, 2012
A study conducted on the relationship between self-injurious behavior and substance abuse among young people of the White Mountain Apache...
Weekly Spark Research

Safety Planning for Veterans

September 13, 2012
SAFE VET, a brief intervention and intensive follow-up program for suicidal veterans, was found to be extremely acceptable to both...
Director's Corner

A New National Strategy...Now What?

September 13, 2012
This year we celebrate Suicide Prevention Week with revitalized purpose as we welcome a new National Strategy for Suicide Prevention....
Weekly Spark Research

Safety Planning in Emergency Settings

September 06, 2012
This article describes the Safety Planning Intervention (SPI), a brief intervention developed for use in emergency departments and other emergency...
Weekly Spark Research

Antidepressants and Suicidal Behavior

August 23, 2012
A meta-analysis of clinical trials of several widely used antidepressants found no evidence that these medications increased the risk of...
Weekly Spark Research

Preventing Suicide by Changing the Physical Environment

August 16, 2012
A checklist that helps staff identify and correct suicide risks in the physical environment of mental health units at Veterans...
Weekly Spark Research

Responsible Reporting Guidelines

August 09, 2012
Involving journalists in developing guidelines for responsible reporting of suicide can produce a “buy-in” that encourages more responsible reporting, which...
Director's Corner

NFL Demonstrates We All Have a Role to Play in Advancing Suicide Prevention

July 31, 2012
As a member of the Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, I am honored to be a part of a pioneering effort...
Weekly Spark Research

Traumatic Brain Injury and Suicide

July 26, 2012
Group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help reduce hopelessness and prevent increases in suicidal ideation among persons suffering from traumatic...
Weekly Spark Research

Suicidal Risk Factors in Older and Middle-Aged Adults

July 19, 2012
Suicide prevention efforts for older adults should respond to the strong association between physical disease and suicide in this age...
Weekly Spark Research

Altitude and Suicide

July 10, 2012
An analysis of National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) data revealed that suicide rates are higher among people who live...
Director's Corner

How Far We’ve Come

July 03, 2012
I entered the field of suicide prevention in 1996 when, after fourteen years as a civil servant with the Department...
Weekly Spark Research

Sex Differences in Older Adult Suicide

June 22, 2012
The authors of a study of suicide among adults 60 years of age and older concluded that “a better understanding...
Weekly Spark Research

Mental Health Services and Stigma in the Military

June 15, 2012
Stigma reduction programs incorporating education and “direct contact with respected peers or veterans who have coped with mental health problems”...
Weekly Spark Research

Preventing Suicide with Mental Health Service Policies and Practices

June 08, 2012
A study in England and Wales revealed that mental health service providers who implemented at least seven of nine recommendations...
Weekly Spark Research

Self-Harm Online Support Networks

June 01, 2012
Research on young people participating in SharpTalk, an online self-harm support forum, may help mental health professionals create effective online...
Weekly Spark Research

Suicide Risk and Glucocorticoids

May 25, 2012
According to the results of a new study, glucocorticoids increase the risk of suicidal behavior as well as a range...
Weekly Spark Research

Unemployment and Suicide

May 11, 2012
Both being without work and adverse working conditions increase suicide risk, according to the authors of an article on research...
Director's Corner

A Big Step Forward

May 11, 2012
On March 29, 2012, Governor Christine Gregoire of Washington State signed into law the Matt Adler Suicide Assessment, Treatment & Management...
Weekly Spark Research

Assessing Patients for Self-Harm

May 04, 2012
A pair of researchers in the United Kingdom suggest that suicide assessments can be more reliable if clinicians focus on...
Weekly Spark Research

Managing Care for Soldiers at High Risk for Suicide

April 27, 2012
The High Interest Program (HIP) at the Fort Campbell, Kentucky Army installation may prove an effective model for the care...
Weekly Spark Research

Forgiveness and Suicide

April 20, 2012
A study of college students suffering from depression found that students who are more capable of forgiving themselves and others...
Weekly Spark Research

Suicide Prevention Education for Emergency Department Staff

April 06, 2012
Staff in emergency departments (EDs) who recalled seeing a poster or receiving a clinical guide on recognizing and managing suicidal...
Weekly Spark Research

Suicide Screening in Emergency Departments

March 29, 2012
A study by investigators affiliated with the Emergency Department Safety Assessment and Follow-Up Evaluation (ED-SAFE) project found that emergency departments...
Director's Corner

There Are No Simple Solutions

March 16, 2012
I have the privilege of co-chairing with Dr. Regina Benjamin, our nation’s Surgeon General, the Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention...
Weekly Spark Research

Suicide and Church Attendance among African Americans and Black Caribbeans

February 27, 2012
An article published in Archives of Suicide Research reports on a study that examined the relationship between suicidal behavior and...
Weekly Spark Research

Recommendations to Prevent Suicide among Older Adults

February 22, 2012
An international expert panel created in 2009 at the First International Conference on Elderly and Suicide recently published a list...
Weekly Spark Research

Impulsivity and Suicide

February 07, 2012
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and LaSalle University warn that focusing on depression and hopelessness as indicators of suicide...
Director's Corner

The Integration of Public Health and Mental Health in Suicide Prevention

January 15, 2012
As we begin a new year, I find myself thinking about what important new steps we in the field of...
Director's Corner

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Reflections on a Groundbreaking Year

December 02, 2011
I would like to occasionally give the readership a chance to hear from some of the wonderful staff we have...
Director's Corner

A Teachable Moment - Update

October 07, 2011
“How much louder does the public’s concern and outcry have to be before reason prevails?” These are the words of Steve Stuban,...
Director's Corner

Systems of Care for Suicide Prevention: Changing the Story

October 06, 2011
I would like to occasionally give the readership a chance to hear from some of the wonderful staff we have...
Director's Corner

What are you doing for Suicide Prevention Week and World Suicide Prevention Day?

September 02, 2011
The week of September 4-10, 2011 is designated as Suicide Prevention Week in the United States.  On September 10, 2011,...
Director's Corner

When You Need Care, Can You Get Care?

August 03, 2011
I recently read an article that pointed out that psychiatric care is hard to find, even for those with insurance.  Researchers posed...
Jerry Reed

A Teachable Moment for Schools - An Update

July 06, 2011
“How much louder does the public’s concern and outcry have to be before reason prevails?” These are the words of Steve Stuban,...
Director's Corner

The Next Frontier

June 01, 2011
As I reflect on our efforts to prevent suicide, I can see how much is being done to advance the...
Director's Corner

National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

May 04, 2011
I have said many times that the annual American Association of Suicidology Conference is where our community meets. This year...
Director's Corner

A Teachable Moment for Schools

April 06, 2011
You may not know the name Nick Stuban. Nick, a 15-year-old student in Fairfax County, Virginia, died by suicide in...
Director's Corner

One Team, One Fight: Learning from Military Suicide Prevention

March 02, 2011
As someone who served in the U.S. Navy many years ago and spent 15 years as Department of the Army...
Director's Corner

Action Alliance Moves Field Forward

February 03, 2011
For those of us in the suicide prevention community, September 10, 2010 was a day we had worked long and...
Director's Corner

Pause and Ponder

January 05, 2011
Over the past few months, the U.S. press paid much attention to several dramatic incidents in which gay youth who...