Menu of Suicide Prevention Actions

What Suicide Prevention Advocates can do...

Support state and federal legislation to support mental health parity and other mental health and suicide prevention issues.

Support legislation that requires insurance companies to cover the cost of treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.

Advocate for funding to suicide prevention programs and activities.

Organize and encourage grass-root support for state and federal legislation to support mental health parity and other mental health and suicide prevention issues. Florida could use the SPAN Legislative Action Center.

Share "IS PATH WARM" (suicide warning signs).

Create or join online forums connected with suicide prevention to promote efforts statewide and nationally.

Support legislation to educate public school employees about youth suicide.

Work to reduce the stigma and change the public attitude about suicide and mental illness.

Promote all of Florida’s certified suicide prevention hotlines.

Use federal and national public awareness resources (e.g., SPRC and 1-800-273 TALK) and identify state and local avenues through which to disseminate them.

Utilize national efforts and plan local community activities around National Suicide Prevention Week.

Encourage the development of more state-funded alcohol and drug detox and treatment facilities like ACT.

Become familiar with http://preventsuicide.fmhi.usf.edu and other suicide prevention websites.

Help with distribution of the existing suicide prevention strategy and brochure.

Conduct suicide prevention activities in a manner that is relevant to the culture of the target group (e.g., minorities, youth.)

Encourage individuals in need to see their primary care for assessment and referrals for treatment.