Connectedness & Suicide Prevention in College Settings

Comprehensive approaches to suicide prevention on college campuses require a fundamental shift in the paradigm for conceptualizing suicidality, toward new ways of thinking about collective responsibility. The concept of connectedness offers a useful framework for conceptualizing risk and resilience processes as well as a roadmap for action. The following paper proffers a definition of connectedness and four core components of a connectedness framework. It closes with intervention implications for suicide prevention on college campuses.

Contents include:
Case examples – What connectedness is and is not
Core components of a connectedness framework
Empirical evidence for relevance of connectedness to well-being
Connectedness, Perceived Norms and Suicide