Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program

Focus populations: Males ages 35 to 54 in rural counties

Website: Suicide Prevention - Arkansas Department of Health

Arkansas launches Comprehensive Suicide Prevention initiative for rural residents

In 2022, 547 people died by suicide in Arkansas, making it the 13th leading cause of death in the state. With CDC support, the Arkansas Comprehensive Suicide Program hired a dedicated suicide prevention program manager and a communication specialist, who both enhanced programs and forged vital partnerships across the state.

Arkansas launched four "Question. Persuade. Refer." training sessions monthly and began a social media campaign partnership with the Arkansas Office of Health Communications. In August 2024, Arkansas initiated suicide prevention program inventory meetings, in which stakeholders and community members can identify gaps in services.

Focus populations: 13 counties in California with high rates of suicide and emergency department visits for self-harm

Website: CDPH Suicide Prevention Program

California counties strengthen suicide prevention through first responder and health care provider training

The California Comprehensive Suicide Prevention program team employs a public health approach to suicide prevention, focusing on thirteen mostly rural counties with higher rates of suicide and self-harm emergency department visits than the state average. Humbolt and Shasta Counties have conducted several suicide prevention and lethal means safety trainings for healthcare providers, including first responders like emergency medical technicians, who often face stress and secondhand trauma. The goal is that these trainings will help prevent suicide amongst themselves and their peers, as well as within the communities they serve. Trainings included Code-9, Counseling on Access to Lethal Means, and Let's Talk about Firearm Safety.

Over 200 participants successfully completed the trainings. Objectives included enhancing skills in stress management and cultural awareness of firearm safety, while promoting help-seeking behaviors to cope with secondary trauma. Participants received local resources for support and safe storage practices for lethal means.

Survey results from Humboldt County indicated that 90% of participants found the trainings effective, with 88% feeling equipped to refer at-risk individuals to services. In Shasta County, participants established a peer support group called "TUF" (Talk, Unwind, Focus), which meets regularly.

Focus populations: Six counties in Colorado with high counts and/or rates of suicide. Additional priority populations include veterans and military-involved families, people with disabilities, people working in high-risk industries (construction, agriculture and ranching, oil and gas, and emergency responders), and faith communities.

Website: Colorado-National Collaborative

Colorado's Mesa County enhances support in the aftermath of suicides through innovative partnership with coroner's office

Colorado is addressing high suicide rates in six counties through enhanced responses, resources, and interventions that provide emotional support and guidance to individuals, families, and communities impacted by suicide, which can reduce harm and prevent future risk.

Mesa County established a unique partnership with the county coroner's office by placing a loss coordinator within the office. This role connects death investigators with a community specialist in suicide prevention and serves as a contact person for survivors of suicide loss.

Mesa County's CDC-funded staff:

• Established a strong partnership with the local coroner's office
• Provided 271 initial contacts and follow-ups with suicide loss survivors via phone calls, emails, and text messages
• Assembled and distributed 44 care packages to suicide loss survivors containing resources in both English and Spanish
• Facilitated 15 peer-led support groups for community members impacted by suicide loss or attempts
• Created and distributed flash drives with suicide prevention training to 15 local media outlets and public information officers to promote safe messaging practices following suicide

Mesa County plans to continue this partnership model as part of its formal suicide response plan. This ongoing effort will enhance support for loss survivors while assisting local organizations in establishing effective suicide crisis response.

Focus populations: Youth and young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults

Website: Connecticut Suicide and Self-Inflicted Injury Prevention Program

Connecticut launches successful suicide prevention campaign with engaging video series

The Connecticut Comprehensive Suicide Prevention program launched a suicide prevention education campaign from December 2023 to May 2024. This initiative produced fifteen engaging videos in both English and Spanish, featuring visuals and messages that address four identified priority populations in the state. The campaign focused on early warning signs, awareness, and connection to state resources, with messages developed with other state agencies to ensure statewide consistency across suicide prevention efforts.

The campaign used a four-phased approach, with each phase concentrating on a specific topic: Recognizing signs and symptoms, developing coping and problem-solving skills, identifying and supporting people at risk, and promoting available resources. The videos were disseminated across various social media platforms and paid media channels using marketing strategies to reach the appropriate audiences. Results included over 10 million impressions on Facebook, Instagram, and Google Videos.

Throughout the campaign, the Connecticut Comprehensive Suicide Prevention team monitored engagement metrics such as views, comments, and shares to evaluate impact and refine future outreach efforts to continue to raise awareness of suicide prevention resources in Connecticut. The videos are available for viewing at www.preventsuicidect.org.

Focus populations: Youth and military personnel

Website: Florida Department of Health

Florida launches Veteran Suicide Prevention Training Series to strengthen community support networks

In 2024, the Veteran Suicide Prevention Training Series was launched in six counties through funding from the Florida Comprehensive Suicide Prevention grant. Florida collaborated with several veteran-serving organizations and accredited suicide prevention training providers to create a comprehensive program designed to strengthen suicide prevention gatekeepers within the community and healthcare system.

The Florida Comprehensive Suicide Prevention program implemented the training series using a multifaceted approach that includes:

• Promoting open conversation to reduce shame around the topic of suicide.
• Improving communication and interaction among non-veteran individuals and organizations in relation to veterans.
• Enhancing communities' ability to offer tailored, veteran-specific resources.

Evaluation results for the Veteran Suicide Prevention Training Series showed that participants rated the training an average of 9.92 out of 10. They universally agreed to recommend it to others, recognized suicide as a serious issue for veterans, and committed to reaching out for help if they observe warning signs of suicide in veterans.

Focus populations: Veterans and first responders, and Black youth in Clayton County

Website: Georgia Department of Public Health

Empowering Georgia's citizens through connection and safe messaging in suicide prevention

In 2024, The Georgia Comprehensive Suicide Prevention team collaborated with local partners, including county library systems, community organizations, and government agencies, to deliver presentations that foster connection and raise awareness of suicide risk factors and protective factors. Key partners leveraged their networks to disseminate information through in-person presentations and social media outreach.

The presentations are designed to be informative, interactive, and easily understood. Participants role-play scenarios that allow them to apply what they've learned in a practical context. Pre- and post-presentation questions assess information retention and skill adoption.

Presentations are developed based on strategies outlined in CDC's Suicide Prevention Resource for Action. This framework promotes connection, encourages safe messaging around suicide, and enhances community engagement as prevention strategies.

Focus populations: Males over 50 in urban counties and females ages 10 to 19

Website: Suicide Prevention

The Illinois Department of Public Health expands partnership within the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance

The Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance unites public and private mental health organizations to reduce suicide rates. Recognizing the need for broader representation, the Alliance wanted to expand membership, particularly to organizations that focus on rural communities, conduct research, provide faith-based support, manage data systems, and support mental and postpartum health.

To identify higher-risk population and partnership gaps, the Illinois Department of Public Health analyzed vital records and hospital discharge data. The higher-risk populations in Illinois included men ages 50 and older in 14 counties and females ages 10 to 19. The Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance set a goal of reducing suicide attempts by 10% by 2027.

Additionally, the Illinois Department of Public Health conducted an environmental scan to identify organizations engaged in suicide prevention efforts but not currently involved with the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance. With this information, the public health department can create a partnership plan that expands Alliance membership while enhancing access to suicide prevention resources across the state for the identified higher-risk populations.

Focus populations: Youth ages 10 to 19 years, veterans, and service members.

Website: Louisiana Injury & Violence Prevention Program

Louisiana sets goal to improve statewide comprehensive suicide data

The Louisiana Comprehensive Suicide Prevention team wanted to improve access to suicide data for prevention partners and address the state's high suicide rate, which was the 12th leading cause of death in Louisiana in 2024. Previously, partners faced challenges because data was inaccessible, leading to an overwhelming number of individual data requests to the state's data team. To address this, the Comprehensive Suicide Prevention team conducted a survey with over 75 partners to identify key data needs. They developed a dedicated webpage featuring a statewide fact sheet, heat map of suicide rates, non-fatal data dashboard, and social media toolkit, which garnered over 650 views shortly after launch.

This initiative has strengthened collaboration among partners, who can now better plan prevention efforts. The Comprehensive Suicide Prevention team plans to create a statewide resource hub for centralized access to data and training. Upcoming initiatives include a communications campaign for Suicide Prevention Month and a fatal suicide data dashboard, all aimed at enhancing Louisiana's long-term suicide prevention strategies.

Focus populations: Rural residents, adults over 45 and youth ages 11 to 24

Website: Maine Suicide Prevention Program

Maine's tele-behavioral health initiative tackles mental health care access for rural youth

Maine, one of the most rural states in the U.S., faces significant barriers to mental health care access. Suicidal ideation among high school students rose from 12.5% in 2009 to 17.8% in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for improved services. Telehealth offers a viable solution, especially in areas with workforce shortages.

The Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention partnered with the Office of Child and Family Services to launch a tele-behavioral health pilot program. This initiative connects students in rural schools to clinicians via telehealth and community health workers, providing behavioral support and resources.

The program engaged three behavioral health agencies across six rural schools during its first program year, serving 94 students. Evaluations indicate that integrating these services into schools reduces travel, costs, and missed appointments while increasing access. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of parents and staff recommending it. The Maine CDC has shared insights about this initiative with over 350 people and plans to continue promoting this model as an effective strategy for addressing rural youth's unmet mental health needs.

Focus populations: Males ages 25 and older

Website: Michigan Suicide Prevention

Michigan's community-driven approach for adult men

To understand community needs, the Michigan Comprehensive Suicide Prevention team surveyed local health departments about their requirements for a surveillance dashboard that tracks emergency room visits for suicide ideation or attempts. The survey garnered 31 responses from 21 health departments, representing nearly half of the state. Findings highlighted the need for timely data, education, and technical assistance to improve local suicide prevention efforts.

The Michigan Comprehensive Suicide Prevention team also launched a workgroup for collaboration and ongoing support among local health departments. The kickoff meeting in January 2024 attracted 62% of health departments to attend, where they discussed current interventions, identified barriers, and explored opportunities for support.

Focus populations: Youth ages 10 to 24

Website: Suicide Prevention | Ohio Department of Health

Strengthening suicide prevention in Ohio: A collaborative effort using suicide and overdose fatality reviews

On September 30, 2021, Ohio took a big step towards reducing suicide and overdose deaths in Ohio by officially establishing guidelines for suicide and overdose fatality reviews1 (SFRs) in its laws. This legislation ensures that information shared during these reviews is kept confidential, establishes requirements for annual reporting, and provides guidelines for collecting and maintaining data. Each year, local reviews send their findings to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to help identify trends and improve prevention efforts.

SFRs are valuable because they gather important data that can highlight ways to improve services that can prevent suicide. ODH is tracking how many resources are provided to partners and how many annual reports are submitted. They are also offering funding to help high-need counties set up SFR committees and providing technical assistance to counties that need help with SFR implementation. They are working to expand SFR efforts in specific areas, with five of six youth suicide subgrantees taking advantage of this opportunity.

In 2024:

• Over 30 partners collaborated to create the Ohio Suicide Fatality Review Manual
• The first-ever Ohio Suicide Fatality Review Best Practices Summit attracted 174 attendees from various sectors, including health departments and mental health boards. This event provided valuable training and continuing education credits for professionals in the field.
• Initially, only 10 out of 88 counties had operational SFR committees. By the end of the first year, that number grew to 20, and in the second year, 32 reports were submitted.

Focus populations: Rural residents and veterans

Website: Oregon Health Authority

Oregon Firearm Safety Coalition partners with gun owners to prevent gun-related suicide deaths

One of Oregon Health Authority's key initiatives involved partnering with gun owners to teach firearm safety through a modified "Question. Persuade. Refer." training. In 2024, two train-the-trainer events equipped certified "Question. Persuade. Refer." trainers to deliver this curriculum. Instructors facilitated discussions on safe storage and mental health awareness, alleviating concerns among gun owners about potential firearm confiscation.

As a result of these trainings, participants reported improved understanding of secure firearm storage practices and how to distance individuals at risk for suicide from firearms. The Oregon Firearm Safety Coalition's emphasis on collaboration with public health experts and gun ranges has shifted perceptions and addressed the root causes of firearm-related deaths. The coalition's efforts have contributed to declining rates of firearm-related deaths in Oregon, demonstrating that relationship-building and shared values are essential for preventing loss of life.

Focus populations: Men over 50

Website: Comisión para la Prevención del Suicidio

Breaking barriers: Puerto Rico's innovative approach to suicide prevention through real-time data

To improve how Puerto Rico monitors suicide-related information, the Puerto Rico Department of Health partnered with the National Syndromic Surveillance Program and its Epidemiology and Investigation Division. In early 2024, the Puerto Rico Comprehensive Suicide Prevention program grantee and the Puerto Rico Department of Public Health Syndromic Surveillance System formed an agreement that allows access privileges and training on the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics. This system helps collect important data about non-fatal suicide attempts from emergency departments across Puerto Rico.

To develop the system, Puerto Rico:

1. Updated the definition of "suicide attempts,"
2. Created a culturally relevant Spanish definition,
3. Identified Spanish medical terms that need careful translation,
4. Reviewed terminology files, and
5. Evaluated ER alerts obtained using Spanish and English definitions.

While setting up this system, Puerto Rico learned that using existing surveillance systems makes better use of resources and improves efficiency. Additionally, strengthening partnerships within the PR Department of Health was crucial for quick progress in setting up the system.

Focus populations: Males ages 25 to 64

Website: Suicide | Department of Health

Uniting for hope: Rhode Island's collaborative approach to suicide prevention

Rhode Island lacked a coordinated effort to reduce suicides, despite various initiatives. Recognizing this gap, Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals collaborated with local partners to create a comprehensive Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan, finalized in November 2023. In December 2023, the Governor's Council on Behavioral Health established the Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee to oversee these efforts.

The first meeting in April 2024 included 57 participants from 39 different groups and organizations working in suicide prevention. Subsequent meetings fostered productive discussions that address community needs and encourage collaboration among members. As of December 2024, the Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee held four successful meetings, with more than 160 participants representing 133 groups, and more planned each month in 2025. Moving forward, the advisory committee aims to find ways to increase participation from those with lived experience.

Focus populations: Males ages 25 to 64

Website: Nebraska Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Website | University of Nebraska Public Policy Center

Data in action: Nebraska's bold initiative to combat suicide among men

Before 2024, Nebraska's efforts to prevent suicide faced a big challenge: Getting up-to-date information to guide the state's strategies. In the past, planning was done with incomplete information, leading to strategies based on outdated information, which made it hard to create effective prevention programs.

The CDC Comprehensive Suicide Prevention cooperative agreement with University of Nebraska Public Policy Center led to a partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health's Injury Prevention Program. Injury Prevention Program experts can now combine suicide-related data from various sources such as hospitals, pharmacies, and trauma systems, integrating suicide-related information from various resources. This provides a clearer picture of how and where suicide deaths and attempts occur. More importantly, it gives partners timely access to data that can drive prevention efforts.

One key finding from this initiative is that men ages 25-64 in Nebraska are at a higher risk for suicide. In March 2024, Nebraska shared this important data with 85 individuals involved in suicide prevention during a statewide suicide prevention summit. One discovery was that people who die by suicide in Nebraska also have prescriptions for pain medications (like opioids), anxiety medications, and antidepressants. This sparked conversations about how to engage new partners in health care and pharmacies. Additionally, this initiative has made it easier to share valuable suicide-related data via fact sheets, presentations, and dashboards, strengthening suicide prevention efforts across the state.

Focus populations: Working aged men, adolescent girls

Website: Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc.

Connecting lives: How the Capital Connect Initiative is transforming youth suicide prevention in New York

The New York State Capital Connect Initiative aims to bring effective suicide prevention programs to the capital region by working with local providers and organizations. One important program is the Youth-Nominated Support Teams. Youth-Nominated Support Teams help people ages 12-24 who have recently attempted or thought about suicide connect with trusted adults in their lives. In this program, young people choose three to four trusted adults to support them as they work through their mental health challenges. These adults receive training to understand the young person's needs and treatment.

When a young person leaves the hospital after a suicide attempt, they start working with a Youth-Nominated Support Team therapist, who meets online with their chosen adults once a week for 90 days. The goal is for these adults to provide emotional support, encourage healthy choices, help the youth stick to their treatment plan, and recognize any signs of suicidal thoughts.

In the first year of the program, three local hospitals began referring young people to the program. Since then, as of September 2024, 17 additional providers and organizations have been trained and are now ready to refer more young people to the program. These include mental health facilities, crisis teams, school-based mental health providers, outpatient clinics, care managers, and other school staff.

This expansion led to a big increase in monthly referrals—from about 2.5 per month in Year 1 to around 8.8 per month in Year 2—a growth of 252%. This significant growth shows that access to this effective program is improving in the region and is likely to keep growing. The diverse range of referral sources means that more young people from various areas now have access to the program, allowing for a wider group of participants.

Focus populations: Males, rural counties, veterans, and youth

Website: NCDHHS Suicide Prevention

North Carolina's efforts to combat suicide through ASIST training

In 2022, North Carolina's suicide rate was higher than the national average for that year, and North Carolina veterans, males, non-Hispanic Whites, adults ages 45-64, and rural residents were at an increased risk for suicide. To combat this, the NC Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Team offers Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) statewide. After the training, participants reported feeling better prepared to intervene in crises.

The NC Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Team hosted a two-day ASIST workshop for 40 participants and trained 48 new ASIST trainers. To overcome the cost barrier of ASIST kits—$50 each plus shipping—the team provided more than 30 free kits to each eligible trainer. By expanding ASIST training across the state, North Carolina is advancing toward becoming a suicide-safer state.

Focus populations: Rural residents, Veterans, and youth

Website: University of North Dakota

Providing SBIRT-SC training for North Dakota health care settings

In 2022, North Dakota had the fifth-highest suicide rate in the U.S. To help lower these numbers, North Dakota Healthcare, Opportunity, Prevention, and Education in Suicide prevention (ND HOPES) is working to increase the number of health care facilities that offer effective treatment for suicide and substance use issues.

ND HOPES trains providers and clinicians to provide screening, brief interventions, and follow-up with patients regarding both suicide and substance use prevention. Over 100 people have been trained using an expanded version of Zero Suicide that also includes training on substance use prevention.

Feedback from the training includes:

• 92% said their knowledge of screening tools improved.
• 94% felt they learned more about safety planning.
• 90% reported better understanding of follow-up procedures for suicide risk.
• 83% indicated they would likely conduct screenings and referrals after the training.
• 84% were satisfied with the quality of the training.
• 82% would recommend it to others.

ND HOPES will keep training clinicians from health care settings interested in CDC's SBIRT-SC program. CDC also recorded the training sessions so health systems can use them as refreshers or for onboarding new staff members.

Focus populations: Veterans in Northwest Pennsylvania living in 15 counties

Website: The Resilient Veteran

Pennsylvania launches suicide prevention training to support veterans in the justice system

In 2023, five Pennsylvania justice institutions launched a comprehensive training initiative to understand the unique challenges faced by justice-involved veterans. Justice-involved veterans often encounter complex issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, moral conflict, military sexual trauma, and substance use disorders. To bridge the gap between complex post-military service issues and involvement with the justice system, the University of Pittsburgh facilitated six sessions of "Question. Persuade. Refer." training, focusing on identifying signs of suicidal ideation and facilitating timely intervention. This initiative included three courthouses within Veterans Treatment Courts and two state correctional institutions, specifically targeting their Veteran Service Units.

Over 175 Pennsylvania justice-involved veterans benefited from this initiative, alongside 25 staff members—including judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement—who received training to better support veterans. Additional sessions from the Veteran and Military Culture Academy covered critical topics like military sexual trauma and veteran substance use disorders. The training equipped key justice system staff with a deeper understanding of military culture and veterans' specific issues. Post-training surveys indicated significant improvements in justice system staff's ability to engage in suicide prevention efforts and "ask the question" to determine if someone is thinking about suicide. Of 26 post-training surveys, 97% reported satisfaction with the content and delivery. The average post-test knowledge score was 77%, and 70% scored 80% or higher.

Focus populations: Rural residents

Website: Tennessee Suicide Prevention

Bridging the gap: Empowering rural mental health providers through innovative telemental health training

People living in rural areas in Tennessee are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide, compared to those in cities. To help improve access to mental health care, the Tennessee Department of Health partnered with Centerstone of Tennessee to offer free online training for both licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals on how to effectively use telemental services, or the use of telecommunications or videoconferencing technology to provide mental health services. By training more providers in telemental health, the Tennessee Department of Health aims to make it easier for people in rural communities to get the help they need before they face a mental health crisis. Centerstone of Tennessee hosted a 15 virtual webinar series with two training sessions each, totaling 30 training sessions that covered important topics such as suicide prevention, working with veterans, how to relate to others, and group therapy via telehealth.

Since launching this program in May 2021, 1,075 behavioral health providers have participated in the training webinars, representing more than half of Tennessee's counties, and 46 out of the 52 counties involved are rural. Surveys taken before and after the trainings show significant improvements in participants feeling better able to adapt their practices for telehealth clients, knowledge of best practices, and effectiveness of telehealth services. Participants also reported improvements in in keeping clients engaged, using assessment tools, discussing suicide risks, setting boundaries, maintaining privacy and ethics, working with children, and preventing burnout.

Based on feedback from participants and annual Tennessee Department of Health assessments, future training topics will include relapse prevention through telehealth, cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use disorders via telehealth, and ethics related to telemental health services.

Focus populations: Residents ages 15 to 44, males over 50 in urban counties, females ages 10 to 19

Website: Suicide Prevention in San Antonio | University Health

Bexar County launches initiative to address youth suicide

In Bexar County, Texas, the 2024 suicide death rate for males ages 15-44 was more than double the overall suicide death rate for the county. Emergency department visits for suicidal ideation and attempts were also concerning, with higher rates for both males and females in this age group, compared to the general population.

The University Health System set a goal of reducing suicide deaths and attempts by 10% over four years among individuals ages 15-44 in Bexar County. To achieve this goal, University Health formed 12 new partnerships across educational, health care, nonprofit, and public health sectors.

Texas plans to engage local universities serving higher-risk student populations and provide Youth Awareness of Mental Health training in schools. Collaborations with youth organizations will enhance community health efforts.

University Health departments plan to deliver training in 2025 on intimate partner violence, gun safety, Counseling on Access to Lethal Means, and other harm reduction services. They are also partnering with telemedicine organizations to improve access to mental health services through programs like Texas Child Health Access through Telemedicine, the Child Psychiatry Access Network, and the Perinatal Psychiatry Access Network.

Focus populations: Vermont residents ages 15 to 64, people with a disability, males, and rural residents

Website: FacingSuicideVT.com

Making history: Vermont's groundbreaking suicide data linkage project reveals critical insights

In Vermont, suicide is the ninth-leading cause of death, especially affecting working-age adults. However, not much was known about what factors contribute to suicide or how people interacted with various services before their deaths. To address this gap, the Vermont suicide data linkage project was launched to gain a better understanding of:

1. Risk factors for suicide.
2. Groups at higher risk for suicide.
3. Patterns in how Vermonters who died by suicide engaged with state and community systems and services prior to death.

For the first time in Vermont's history, researchers learned about the different interactions people had leading up to their deaths by suicide. CDC and Vermont partners established eight data use agreements to complete this project, with each partner given flexibility in the types of data shared to the Vermont Department of Health. The results were shared with Vermont's Suicide Prevention Data Workgroup and presented to stakeholders involved in Vermont's strategic plan and the state legislature.

Future plans include sharing these findings more widely to raise awareness of the impact of suicide within various agencies, such as health care interactions during hospital meetings. The results from the project have been presented to Vermont's legislature and have helped inform Vermont's strategic plan. The report also includes specific recommendations for strategies that could help reduce suicide rates in Vermont.

Focus populations: Adolescent females ages 10 to 19, Rural males ages 25 and older

Website: Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Hope in action: Wisconsin's fight against suicide through connection and care

The Wisconsin Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program works to reduce self-harm among young people in the state. Self-harm doesn't always mean someone wants to die, but it can increase the risk of suicide. National data showed a rise in self-harm among Wisconsin's adolescents, especially during September 2022 (14% increase month over month) and January 2023 (40% increase month over month).

To address this issue, the Wisconsin Comprehensive Suicide Prevention team created a communication plan that included social media posts, a news release, and a new web page dedicated to self-harm. The goal was to raise awareness about the increases in self-harm during September and January, share warning signs, explain how self-harm relates to suicide, and offer advice on how to help someone who may be struggling.

The news release led to coverage from ten different news outlets, including two major newspapers, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Green Bay Press Gazette. Together, these papers reached over 64,000 readers. There was also a three-minute feature on WEAU-TV in Eau Claire, WI, weeks later.

These messages were intended to reach schools and parents; at least one school district shared an email with parents linking back to the press release. The team also developed a new web page focused on adolescent self-harm. It includes detailed information on what self-harm is, its warning signs, and how different people can help those who are struggling.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services posted about the increase in self-harm among adolescents three times on Facebook after the news release. These posts reached between 6,800 and 8,700 people each time and received over 200 engagements and 18 shares.

The team has also begun conversations with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services communications team about how to educate Wisconsin reporters on best reporting practices related to suicide and self-harm.