Curbing Suicide

FDA Consumer, July, 2001 by John Henkel

Every day, more than 1,500 Americans attempt suicide; 86 of them succeed, making the yearly suicide toll in this country a devastating 30,000. Suicide is "reaching epidemic proportions in some groups," Surgeon General David Satcher, M.D., says. To help Americans understand suicide and to suggest ways to prevent it, the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP), a new coalition of four federal public health agencies, has created a Web site that brings together varied expertise. On the site, you will find information about:

* what to do if you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide

* current research into suicide

* suicide prevention measures

* policies and legislation

At www.mentalhealth.org/suicideprevention, the site also has a webcast and chat page where you can view the surgeon general's May 2 speech announcing the formation of the NSSP and see the transcript of an online chat with the surgeon general about suicide.

The NSSP is a joint effort of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

John Henkel is a member of FDA's website management staff.