Suicide: Prevention Strategies Suicide is a serious but
preventable public health problem that can have lasting harmful
effects on individuals, families, and communities. While its
causes are complex the goal of suicide prevention is
simple—reduce factors that increase risk and increase factors
that promote resilience or coping. With a public health
approach, prevention occurs at all levels of society—from the
individual, family, and community levels to the broader social
environment. Effective prevention strategies are needed to
promote awareness of suicide while at the same time promoting
prevention, resilience, and a commitment to social change. A
public health approach to suicide prevention may be undertaken
using the following resources: Strategizing for Suicide
Prevention - National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
(Department of Health and Human Services) This revised national
strategy emphasizes the role every American can play in
protecting their friends, family members, and colleagues from
suicide. I