The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has launched the third in a series of videos related to suicide risk screening practices in telehealth. This brief video offers practical tips for involving family and supportive others in telehealth services for someone with suicide risk. Look out for the fourth video in the series coming soon.
Archives: News
NIMH Director’s Message: Lived Experience Perspectives on Autism
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has published a director’s message about NIMH’s role in federal autism coordination efforts and how the lived experiences of autistic people and their families have shaped federal autism research, services, and policy.
Webinar: Autism in Black Communities
The Central East Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (Central East MHTTC) is hosting a webinar to discuss some unique considerations and challenges of autism in Black communities. The webinar will take place on April 18 from 12 to 1 p.m. ET.
Funding Opportunity: Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention Program
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for the Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program. The program funds cooperative agreements that support states and Tribes in implementing strategies to prevent suicide among youth up to age 24. Applications are due by June 3.
AI Is Turning Social Media Into the Next Frontier for Suicide Prevention
Artificial intelligence (AI) may be a promising tool for preventing suicide on social media. However, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness, caution some experts.
Social media platforms are increasingly using AI technology to identify users who may be at risk and connect them with help. For example, Facebook and Instagram use AI to flag content that may indicate suicide risk and share links to services like the 988 Lifeline. According to some researchers, AI is powerful because it can scan large amounts of data in real time and pick up on trends that humans may miss.
While such tools may help distract or connect someone with support in a moment of crisis, say some experts, they can’t provide the care a human can. It’s also unclear how precisely AI models can identify people at risk given the limitations of the data in which they are trained. Some argue that false positives may desensitize social media users to crisis response warnings, while others say it’s more of a priority to avoid false negatives. In addition to questions about AI’s accuracy, there are also ethical and privacy concerns, with some groups of users more likely to be flagged by algorithms than others.
Christine Moutier, chief medical officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, called for more research on AI’s effectiveness. She also encouraged social media companies to protect users’ mental health before a crisis occurs, for example by preventing exposure to harmful messaging and promoting stories of hope and help-seeking.
Spark Extra! Find resources for developing suicide prevention messaging.
Gender Inclusion in Fatality Review
The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (National Center) is hosting a webinar on why and how to implement gender inclusive practices during the fatality review process. The webinar will take place on April 11 at 2 p.m. ET. Also check out the National Center’s recent report on equity in fatality review for child and youth suicide.
National ERPO Resource Center
The U.S. Department of Justice (Justice Department) has launched the National Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Resource Center. This center will provide training and technical assistance to support states and communities in the implementation of their ERPO programs to reduce gun violence and save lives.
Injury and Violence Prevention Funding Resources
The Safe States Alliance (Safe States) has released a National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) state-specific funding brief as well as an infographic on investments in injury and violence prevention.
Black Trans, Nonbinary Youth Have Higher Suicide Risk Than Cisgender Queer Peers
A new research brief calls on all adults to help prevent suicide among Black LGBTQ+ youth by reducing their experiences of discrimination. Produced by The Trevor Project, the brief includes survey data that show Black trans and nonbinary youth especially need support.
In the survey, just over one in five Black trans and nonbinary youth reported a suicide attempt in the past year, more than double the number of their Black cisgender LGBQ peers. Both groups reported experiencing high rates of discrimination based on their race or LGBTQ+ identities, with the highest rates among Black trans, nonbinary, or questioning youth. Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression was found to be associated with increased suicide risk.
The authors of the brief encouraged adults working with Black LGBTQ+ youth to support all aspects of their identities as they cope with the combined impact of multiple types of bias. In addition to recommending tailored services to help Black LGBTQ+ youth navigate discrimination, the authors added that all adults can help meet the greater goal of stopping discrimination in the first place.
Black LGBTQ+ youth are not inherently at risk of suicide, said Derrick Matthews, The Trevor Project’s director of research science and lead author of the brief. Multiple factors place them at risk, including mistreatment by others. “It’s time to step up our efforts to let Black trans and nonbinary young people know that we are here for them by working to reduce their experiences of discrimination—and reminding them that this world really is a better place because they are in it,” said Matthews.
Spark Extra! Check out our guides to supporting LGBTQIA2S+ youth.
Practice-Based Suicide Prevention Research Centers Meeting
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting an online meeting to overview the projects underway at the Practice-Based Suicide Prevention Research Centers. The meeting will take place on April 10 from 12 to 3:30 p.m. ET.