New National Resources Launched to Support Suicide Prevention
As Suicide Prevention Month 2025 draws near, The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) at EDC, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the Safe States Alliance, has launched two new resources to help communities use effective approaches to prevent suicide. This effort is grounded in the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and aligned with the Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Framework developed by the Association of State and Territory Health Officials, CDC, Center for Law and Social Policy, and Mental Health America.
Moving Suicide Prevention Upstream: From Concept to Action and the companion At-a-Glance resource provide actionable guidance, messaging tips, and community-driven strategies to help public health professionals, suicide prevention leaders, and everyone who is working to create safe, supportive environments where people can thrive. Building upon existing tools, the resources meet a growing demand for effective upstream approaches and help shift the national conversation toward prevention that starts well before individuals experience a crisis.
Upstream suicide prevention refers to the social, economic, and environmental root causes of suicide in communities before people experience suicidal crises. Recognizing the need for a shared understanding of what upstream suicide prevention entails, this definition was shaped through collaboration with national partners, focus groups, case studies, and field experts.
“Preventing suicide takes a whole-of-society approach to make a difference,” said Dr. Eric Carbone, Chief of the Behavioral Integration Branch, CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. “CDC’s unique public health approach of tracking data and trends, spearheading cutting-edge research, and helping communities put these findings into action, allows us to prevent tragic losses and alleviate the profound impact that suicide has on individuals, families, and communities.”
Also designed to help with building partnerships and assessing community strengths and gaps, the resources were developed to strengthen alignment, promote shared language, and encourage more coordinated action across sectors.
“Safe States is excited to collaborate with our partners to advance this important work. The Action Alliance has put considerable effort into ensuring that coordinated Upstream Suicide Prevention is rightfully recognized as essential to saving lives. Strong partnerships across public health, community organizations, and healthcare systems are key to building the coordinated, compassionate response that suicide prevention demands,” said Sharon Gilmartin, Executive Director of Safe States Alliance.
Moving Suicide Prevention Upstream: From Concept to Action offers an online, navigable collection of resources tailored to professionals at the state, Tribal, territory, and local levels, while the At-a-Glance resource provides a concise, accessible overview of upstream suicide prevention, specifically designed for decision makers, funders, and leaders working outside the traditional suicide prevention field.
Both aim to broaden understanding of upstream prevention and accelerate the adoption of upstream approaches, which prioritize prevention by addressing the social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to suicide risk.
“Suicide is preventable, and we must go beyond crisis response to invest in the broader conditions that support well-being,” said Colleen Carr, Director of the Action Alliance. “As the nation’s public-private partnership for suicide prevention, the Action Alliance is committed to advancing a comprehensive approach, which must include upstream strategies. These new resources offer a powerful opportunity to strengthen coordination across sectors and help build communities where everyone can thrive.”
These resources are now available on the Action Alliance website, providing essential tools for partners across sectors to engage in early, coordinated efforts that save lives and promote community well-being.
About the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control’s vision of “No lives lost to suicide” relies on implementing a comprehensive public health approach to prevention. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses data, research, and partnerships to identify and implement effective suicide prevention strategies to foster healthy and resilient communities across the U.S.
About The Safe States Alliance
The Safe States Alliance is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving as the national voice in support of injury and violence prevention professionals engaged in building a safer, healthier America. Founded in 1993, the Safe States Alliance is the only national non-profit organization comprised of public health injury and violence prevention professionals representing all states and territories in the United States.
About the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) at EDC is a nonpartisan, independent, public-private national partnership for suicide prevention. The Action Alliance brings together the best thinking and resources from the public and private sectors to steward and advance the goals and objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy)—the roadmap for a comprehensive approach to preventing suicide. Launched in 2010, the Action Alliance is funded through both public and private support.
