Manual for Support Groups for Survivors of a Suicide Attempt
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
Program Type
Education or Training Program, Screening Program, Treatment or Direct Services Program
Cost
$501 to $1,000
Evidence Type
Empirically-Defined Evidence
SPRC Comprehensive Approach
Increase Help-Seeking, Postvention, Reduce Access to Means, Life Skills and Resilience, Connectedness
Program or Intervention Summary
As a national leader in the field of suicide prevention, in 2011 Didi Hirsch’s Suicide Prevention Center started a support group for survivors of suicide attempt(s), addressing a high-priority local need. The support group is an eight-week group for those over 18 years old with a history of at least 1 suicide attempt, that offers a safe, non-judgmental place for people to talk about the feelings that led them to attempt suicide and the impact that their attempt had on their lives. The group provides an opportunity for its participants to connect with peers who share similar experiences, which is an important part of healing. In addition to increasing connectedness, the group includes an emphasis on tools and skills (e.g., coping skills through safety planning) that will help members stay safe from a future suicide attempt. The goals of the program were to maintain participants’ safety and manage risk, reduce internalized/perceived stigma, increase coping skills as they relate to suicide thoughts, and increase connectedness. The outcomes measured used included, were the Beck Hopelessness Scale (Beck et al., 1974), Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (Beck & Steer, 1991), Resilience Appraisals Scale (Johnson et al., 2010), and Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (Van Orden et al., 2012), along with an internally developed survey and safety plan measure. The Manual for Support Groups for Survivors of Suicide Attempt(s) serves to guide individuals and organizations in developing and implementing an attempt survivors’ support group in their communities and since 2015, we have trained both national and international agencies. Since making the manual available to download on our website, the manual has been downloaded over 3,112 times in 58 countries.
| Type | Education or Training Program, Screening Program, Treatment or Direct Services Program |
| Setting | Online, Community, Healthcare Facility, Inpatient mental health facility, Residential facility |
| Languages | English |
| Study Method | Quantitative Design |
| Implementer Requirement | Adults, Peer Consultants |
| Training Requirement | Yes |
| Delivery Options | In-Person, Virtual self-paced |
| Risk and Protective Factors | Previous suicide attempt, History of depression and other mental illnesses, Social isolation, Easy access to lethal means of suicide among people at risk, Effective coping and problem-solving skills, Strong sense of cultural identity |
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Suicide Deaths by Drug Poisoning, 2023
Data Table:
Source: CDC, 2023
Citation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [online]) Available from URL: www.wisqars.cdc.gov
Injury Outcome: Fatal
Injury Type: All Injury
Data Years: 2023
Geography: United States
Intent: Suicide
Mechanism: All Injury
Age: All Ages
Sexes: All Sexes
Race: All Races
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Metro/Non-Metro Indicator: None Selected
YPLL Age: 65
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
MCD – ICD-10 Codes: T40.1 (Heroin); T40.0, T40.2, T40.3 (Opium, Methadone, Other opioids); T40.4 (Other synthetic narcotics); T40.5 (Cocaine), T42.4 (Benzodiazepines); T43.6 (Psychostimulants with abuse potential) AND X60-X84 (Intentional sel-harm)
Year/Month: 2023
Group By: Year
Show Totals: True
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Suicide Rates Among People of More Than One Race in the U.S. by Age, 2019-2023
Data Table:
*Non-Hispanic
**Note. Ages 85+ are not reported because data is unreliable
Crude rate per 100,000
Source: CDC, 2024
Citation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
Hispanic Origin: Not Hispanic or Latino
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Single Race 6; Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: Disabled
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: True
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Suicide Rates Among White People in the U.S. by Age, 2019-2023
Data Table:
*Non-Hispanic
Crude rate per 100,000
Source: CDC, 2024
Citation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
Hispanic Origin: Not Hispanic or Latino
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Single Race 6; Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: Disabled
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: True
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Suicide Rates Among Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander People by Age, 2019-2023
Data Table:
*Non-Hispanic
**Note. Ages 65+ are not reported because data is unreliable
Crude rate per 100,000
Source: CDC, 2024
Citation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
Hispanic Origin: Not Hispanic or Latino
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Single Race 6; Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: Disabled
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: True
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Suicide Rates Among Hispanic or Latino People in the U.S. by Age, 2019-2023
Data Table:
Crude rate per 100,000
Source: CDC, 2024
Citation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Hispanic Origin; Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: Disabled
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: True
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Suicide Rates Among Black or African American People by Age, 2019-2023
Data Table:
*Non-Hispanic
Crude rate per 100,000
Source: CDC, 2024
Citation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
Hispanic Origin: Not Hispanic or Latino
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Single Race 6; Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: Disabled
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: True
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Suicide Rates Among Asian People in the U.S. by Age, 2019-2023
Data Table:
*Non-Hispanic
Crude rate per 100,000
Source: CDC, 2024
Citation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
Hispanic Origin: Not Hispanic or Latino
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Single Race 6; Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: Disabled
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: True
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Suicide Rates Among American Indian and Alaska Native People by Age, 2019-2023
Data Table:
*Non-Hispanic
**Note. Ages 85+ are not reported because data is unreliable
Crude rate per 100,000
Source: CDC, 2024
Citation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
Hispanic Origin: Not Hispanic or Latino
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Single Race 6; Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: Disabled
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: True
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Past-Year Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among High School Youth, 2023
Data Table:
*Self-Reported
Source: CDC, 2025
Citation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025). 1991-2023 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at http://yrbs-explorer.services.cdc.gov/.
Past-Year Self-Reported Suicidal Thoughts and Suicide Attempts Among Adults, 2024
Data Table:
Source: SAMHSA, 2025
Citation:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2025). National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2024 (NSDUH-2024-DS001). Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/
Tables: 6.71B & 6.73B
Rates of Suicide by Race/Ethnicity, 2019-2023
Data Table:
*Non-Hispanic
Age-adjusted rate per 100,000
Source: CDC, 2024
Citation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
Hispanic Origin: Not Hispanic or Latino
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Year; Single Race 6
Show Totals: True
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Standard Population: 2000 U.S. Std. Population
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Year; Hispanic Origin
Show Totals: True
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Standard Population: 2000 U.S. Std. Population
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)
Suicide Rates by Age, 2019-2023
Data Table:
Crude rate per 100,000
Source: CDC, 2024
Citation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2023 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2024. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2023, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.
ICD-10 Codes: X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm)
Year/Month: 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Group By: Year, Ten-Year Age Groups
Show Totals: Disabled
Show Zero Values: False
Show Suppressed: False
Calculate Rates Per: 100,000
Rate Options: Default intercensal populations for years 2001-2009 (except Infant Age Groups)