WISCONSIN UNITED
for MENTAL HEALTH

Is it possible to predict suicide?
At the current time there is no definitive measure to predict suicide or suicidal behavior. Researchers have identified factors that place individuals at higher risk for suicide.  Risk factors include mental illness, substance abuse, previous suicide attempts, family history of suicide, history of being sexually abused, and impulsive or aggressive tendencies.
From: FAQ About Suicide, National Institute of Mental Health


Suicide Prevention Programs
All suicide prevention programs need to be scientifically evaluated to demonstrate whether or not they work. Preventive interventions for suicide must also be complex and intensive if they are to have lasting effects.  School and community prevention programs designed to address suicide and suicidal behavior as part of a broader focus on mental health, coping skills in response to stress, substance abuse, aggressive behaviors, etc., are more likely to be successful in the long run.

Recognition and appropriate treatment of mental and substance abuse disorders also hold great suicide prevention value. For example, because most elderly suicide victims—70 percent—have visited their primary care physician in the month prior to their suicides,16 improving the recognition and treatment of depression in medical settings is a promising way to prevent suicide in older adults.
16 Conwell, Y. Suicide in elderly patients. In: Schneider LS, Reynolds CF III, Lebowitz, BD, Friedhoff AJ, eds. Diagnosis and treatment of depression in late life. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, 1994; 397-418.
In Harm's Way: Suicide in American, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH Publication No. 01-4594


Examples of Suicide Prevention Programs

• QPR - Question Persuade Refer - A cost-effective program recognized as a best practice.  Learn more from the QPR Institute   Interested in hosting a QPR training at your church, workplace or neighborhood?  Certified trainers are available to conduct these classes.  Please visit HOPES to find out more.
• Yellow Ribbon Program
• SAFE-T pocket card (Suicide Assessment Five-step Evaluation and Triage - .pdf)

• Prevent Suicide Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Suicide Prevention Strategy
• HOPES (a Madison, Wisconsin-based non-profit organization)
• Mental Health America of Wisconsin (recipient of the federal Garrett Lee Smith youth suicide prevention initiative grant)
• National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
• Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention (Suicide Prevention Resource Center Web site)
• Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and Prevention