APA Backs Suicide-Prevention Program

To improve the rate at which clinicians and the public detect suicide-risk signs, APA recently endorsed a new suicide initiative called Stop a Suicide, Today!

The nationwide information campaign is aimed at the friends and family members of people who may be depressed or suicidal. A major focus of the outreach is teaching people about the warning signs of suicide and where to turn for help, according to an APA press release.

“The new initiative is a great step forward in addressing suicide prevention by providing tangible tips to the public and to clinicians, who form an important line of defense in suicide prevention. This is an important contribution to the treatment of mental illness,” APA Medical Director James H. Scully Jr., M.D., said in expressing support for the initiative.

The initiative was developed by Screening for Mental Health Inc., a nonprofit organization led by psychiatrist Douglas Jacobs, M.D., that provides screening tools for depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, eating disorders, and alcohol problems, which are considered risk factors for suicide (Psychiatric News, September 17).

The new initiative was launched last month in conjunction with Suicide Prevention Week (September 5 to 11) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10).

A suicide risk questionnaire, fact sheets, and other resources are posted online at<www.StopASuicide.org>.