Florida Suicide Prevention Strategy Summary

Goal 1: Decrease the incidence of suicide in Florida by one third by the end of 2010.
Goal 2: Decrease the incidence of teen suicide in Florida by one third by the end of 2010.
Goal 3: Decrease the incidence of elder suicide in Florida by on third by the end of 2010.

Strategies

1. Raise awareness and disseminate information about the risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide.
2. Overcome the reluctance to talk about suicide as a major debilitating social phenomenon.
3. Debunk myths about suicide that lead to greater risk of suicide or hinder its prevention.
4. Implement prevention, intervention, and treatment activities that are effective in prevention of suicide and suicide attempts.
5. Expand accessibility to substance abuse and mental health treatment.
6. Mitigate risk among potential suicides by reducing access to lethal means.
7. Provide training to gatekeepers and first responders on intervention skills in threatening situations.
8. Implement screening systems to help identify those at risk for suicide.
9. Support research for improved prevention and treatment modalities.
10. Develop broad-based support for suicide

Areas of Focus

Public Awareness & Information

• Reduce stigma of mental illness
• Improve public knowledge
• Teach intervention skills
• Social Marketing

Screening & Intervention

• Screening individuals for mental illness and suicidal ideation

Research

• Improve data collection
• Conduct psychological autopsies

Addressing Treatment Needs

• Addressing disparities in treatment coverage
• Ensuring quality care
• Educating about medications

Education & Training

• Gatekeeper Training to learn the warning signs of suicide
• First Responders and Crisis Intervention Training
• Educating Physicians

Creating Safer Environments

• School intervention
• Bullying prevention
• Limiting access to lethal means

Postvention (actions after a suicide)

• Responsible media coverage
• Assisting survivors (those who have lost a loved one to suicide)

Related Resources

Download the Florida Suicide Prevention Strategy
Visit the Statewide Office of Suicide Prevention