Knowra Suicide prevention Suicide prevention Suicide prevention comprises measures that reduce suicide deaths and attempts by identifying risk, providing timely support, and addressing contributing conditions.
Crisis hotline : A telephone or text service that offers immediate support to people facing acute distress or suicidal thoughts. Hotlines provide rapid, accessible support during moments of crisis.
Suicide risk assessment : A clinical or structured evaluation of factors relevant to a person's likelihood of suicidal behavior. Assessment helps determine what support and level of care may be needed.
Suicidal ideation : Thoughts about, consideration of, or planning for suicide. Recognizing ideation can prompt support before an attempt occurs.
Public health approach to suicide prevention : A population-level strategy combining surveillance, risk reduction, protective environments, and coordinated interventions. It shifts prevention beyond individual treatment toward coordinated action across communities and institutions.
Suicide prediction : The attempt to estimate an individual's future risk of suicidal behavior from available information. Prediction remains uncertain, so prevention must avoid relying on risk scores alone.
Safety planning : A collaborative, written plan that lists warning signs, coping strategies, supportive contacts, and steps for staying safe during a crisis. A personalized plan turns warning signs into concrete steps for seeking help.
Protective factors : Conditions or attributes that reduce the likelihood of harm or support resilience under stress. Prevention strengthens relationships, coping resources, and other buffers against suicidal behavior.
Suicide attempt : A nonfatal, self-directed potentially injurious act undertaken with at least some intent to die. Preventing attempts matters in its own right and can avert later deaths.
Suicide surveillance : The systematic collection and analysis of data on suicide deaths, attempts, and related circumstances. Reliable data helps identify patterns, assess needs, and evaluate prevention efforts.
Suicide stigma : Negative social judgments and silence surrounding suicidal thoughts, attempts, or deaths. Stigma can discourage disclosure and make timely support harder to reach.
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