Action Alliance Research Prioritization Task Force

In 2011, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Research Prioritization Task Force (RPTF) conducted an online stakeholder survey of “four major groups with a strong investment in preventing suicide, including suicide survivors, health care providers, policymakers/administrators, and research scientists.” The members of RPTF wanted to generate “input from large and diverse constituent groups” that would produce “viable research targets” and “practical leverage points” as well as generate support from the groups represented in this process for the implementation of the final recommendations. The process resulted in the creation of twelve “Aspirational Goals” that focused on (1) risk and protective factor interactions, (2) populations and setting-based screening, (3) prediction of imminent risk, (4) psychosocial interventions for those at risk, (5) improved biological interventions, (6) prevention of reattempts, (7) provider training, (8) access to affordable and effective care, (9) enhanced continuity of care, (10) stigma reduction, (11) population-based risk-reduction and resilience-building, and (12) reduction of access to lethal means. These goals serve as the basis of A Prioritized Research Agenda for Suicide Prevention: An Action Plan to Save Lives. The authors note that respondents “tended to prioritize practical solutions over theoretical advancement.

This summary is from: Claassen, C. A., Pearson, J. L., Khodyakov, D., Satow, P. M., Gebbia, R., Berman, A. L.,… & Insel, T. R. (2014). Reducing the burden of suicide in the U.S.: The aspirational research goals of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Research Prioritization Task Force. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 47(3), 309-314.

Spark Extra! Download A Prioritized Research Agenda for Suicide Prevention: An Action Plan to Save Lives and other publications about the work of the Action Alliance Research Prioritization Task Force at www.suicide-research-agenda.org.