“Most people don’t like to say the S-word, which is part of the problem,” said Kirchhoff, a McHenry County dentist and father of three surviving children who this week shared the story of his youngest son’s 2005 death at age … Continue reading →

According to mental health experts in South Korea, cultural norms often prevent Koreans from seeking help for mental health issues. “Talking openly about emotional problems is still taboo,” said Dr. Kim Hyong-soo, a psychologist and professor at Chosun University in … Continue reading →

A recent increase in the suicide rate in Greece is causing officials to consider whether the country’s economic difficulties is having an effect on mental health. According to Christos Hombas, the head of a Greek social support hotline, Greek men … Continue reading →

A student at the Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy has won a suicide prevention public service announcement contest sponsored by Rutgers Health Services. His 45-second video, which features a red rubber ball to symbolize a student with depression, will … Continue reading →

This article describes the specialized training that police officers in New Hampshire receive to help them respond to people with mental illness in emergency situations, including suicidal crisis. As part of their police academy training, newly hired offices participate in … Continue reading →

Issue four of the Action Alliance newsletter provides updates on work of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Revision and Update Task Force, the Clinical Care and Intervention Task Force and the Youth in Contact with the Juvenile Justice System … Continue reading →

Conducted by experts in the field of suicide bereavement and experienced facilitators, this two-day training program combines lecture, interactive discussion and role-playing to help survivors of suicide loss, mental health professionals and others learn the “how-to’s” of creating and facilitating … Continue reading →

Under a decades-old White House policy, families of soldiers who died on the battlefield received condolence letters from the president – except for families whose loved ones died by suicide. This policy has just been changed. Going forward, official presidential … Continue reading →

The Australian province of Woollahra is installing fencing at a scenic overlook along the Sydney coastline to prevent people from jumping. About 50 people per year die by suicide at the site, which is known as The Gap. Controversy surrounding … Continue reading →

In its first year of operation, the Aspen Hope crisis center trained nearly 1,400 people in the Aspen community to recognize and respond to people at risk for suicide. Now in its second year of operation, the Center has received … Continue reading →

Therapist Marsha Linehan, who created a new form of therapy called dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), shares her personal story of severe mental illness and suicidality in this New York Times article. “So many people have begged me to come forward,” … Continue reading →

This article by SPRC Senior Tribal Prevention Specialist Petrice Post describes some of the factors that influence suicide prevention work in Native American communities. Isolation, high unemployment, and limited educational opportunity associated with reservation life can be a challenge. These … Continue reading →

Klonsky, E., & May, A. (2010). Rethinking Impulsivity in Suicide. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior 40(6), 612-619. A recent study found that one aspect of impulsivity, urgency, was associated with a higher risk of both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. However, … Continue reading →

Network Rail, owner and operator of the United Kingdom’s rail infrastructure, is working with suicide prevention group The Samaritans to help prevent suicides along the railways. The Samaritans will train Network Rail staff to identify and approach vulnerable people near … Continue reading →

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is partnering with telecommunications company Bell Canada and crisis support organization Distress Centres of Toronto to provide direct access to telephone-based crisis support within the subway system. By the end of July, every subway station … Continue reading →

New suicide prevention signs carrying the number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline have been installed on both ends of a scenic bridge on the Natchez Trace highway in Tennessee. According to Cam Sholly, superintendent of the Natchez Trace Parkway, … Continue reading →

A new publication from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) documents a 55 percent increase in emergency room visits for drug-related suicide attempts among men ages 21 to 34 from 2005 to 2009. In this age group, … Continue reading →