Action Alliance Webinar: Developing Successful and Positive Suicide Prevention Messaging

Research shows that certain types of messaging about suicide deaths can increase risk among vulnerable individuals. Conversely, positive and safe messages have the potential to help individuals in crisis find the help they need, and educate the public about how they can be involved in preventing suicide. Recognizing this potential, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and its partners are leading efforts designed to “change the public conversation about suicide and suicide prevention.”
 
While resources already existed to help journalists cover suicide in news reports, little guidance was available to guide other suicide prevention messengers. The Action Alliance’s Framework for Successful Messaging (link is external)(Framework) fills that gap. Drawing from research on effective communications and suicide prevention, the Framework is a resource to help those communicating to the public about suicide to create messages that are strategic, safe, positive, and make use of relevant guidelines and best practices.

Webinar Presenters 

Mark Weber, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs/Human Services U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Executive Committee Member and Changing the Conversation Priority Initiative Co-Lead, National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

Dr. April Foreman, Suicide Prevention Coordinator Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System Department of Veterans Affairs; Changing the Conversation Priority Initiative Member, National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

Linda Langford, Sc.D. Evaluation and Communication Scientist, Suicide Prevention Resource Center

This webinar provides:

• An overview of the four elements of the Framework for Successful Messaging and how this resource helps to change the public conversation about suicide.
• Tips and guidance for using the Framework to message to create messages that are strategic, safe, and aligned with prevention goals.
• The importance of well-designed messaging during Suicide Prevention Month – and throughout the year.