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Scope Note: Materials created or co-created by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC).

Please Note: Customized Information Series pages are listed in the library category that matches the role that is covered. EBPP Fact Sheets are by category and listed in the Best Practices Registry. SPRC Discussion Series materials are by category and listed in the Training Institute section of our website.

2009 State legislation update: Suicide prevention and mental health parity
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/stateleg.update.pdf
A summary of state policy trends, along with a listing of state legislation on suicide prevention or mental health for the 2009 federal fiscal year. Each item contains the bill number, a summary, the sponsors and the status of the item. This listing is updated each month by SPAN USA.
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After a suicide: Recommendations for religious services and other public memorial observances
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/aftersuicide.pdf
A guide to help community and faith leaders who plan memorial observances and provide support for individuals after the loss of a loved one to suicide.
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After an attempt: A guide for medical providers in the emergency department taking care of suicide attempt survivors
URL: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0161/
Brochure intended to provide medical professionals with tips on how to enhance care in the emergency department for people who have attempted suicide. The guide also contains information on HIPAA, patient discharge, and resources about suicide for medical professionals, patients and their families.
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After an attempt: A guide for taking care of your family member after treatment in the emergency department
URL: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0159/
Brochure intended as a guide for families of suicide attempt survivors on what to expect in the emergency department and after release from the hospital. Includes information on national resources and organizations and contains advice for safety planning, ongoing support and learning about mental illness. (Also available in the Spanish Language Materials category)
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After an attempt: A guide for taking care of yourself after your treatment in the emergency department
URL: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0157/
Brochure intended as a guide for individuals on how to move forward after being treated in an emergency department for attempting suicide. Includes information on national resources and organizations and contains advice for safety planning, ongoing support and learning about mental illness. (Also available in Spanish in the Spanish Language Materials Category)
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Ask & you will receive: A fundraising guide for suicide prevention advocates
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/span_fundraising.pdf
A 14-page document that presents new ways to think about generating support for your program. Links to other resources are embedded throughout the document so that you can easily find the most relevant materials. This guide will help you think through your approach, select a strategy, and get started on a fundraising campaign.
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At-a-Glance: Safe reporting on suicide
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/at_a_glance.pdf
A two page summary of the 2001 publication, Reporting on Suicide: Recommendations for the Media, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Mental Health, Office of the Surgeon General, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Association of Suicidology and Annenberg Public Policy Center
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Comparison table of suicide prevention gatekeeper training programs
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/SPRC_Gatekeeper_Matrix.pdf
A comparison table of programs that are listed and described in the SPRC/AFSP Best Practices Registry. Viewers can click on the title of each program to read more information about it. Each program is described in terms of requirements, audiences, highlights and program objectives. This chart was originally created in 2006 with the Louisiana Spirit Suicide Prevention Summit Meeting planning committee and is continually updated by SPRC.
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Consensus statement on suicide and suicide prevention from an interfaith dialogue
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/Consensus_Statement.pdf
This statement was developed at the Interfaith Suicide Prevention Dialogue meeting (March 12-13, 2008, Rockville, MD), conducted by the SPRC. The participants included representatives from the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim faith communities. The full report of the meeting, The role of faith communities in preventing suicide: A report of an interfaith Suicide Prevention Dialogue, is available at http://library.sprc.org/item.php?id=652
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Cuidandose a si mismo y a su familia-Una guía familiar para su pariente en la sala de emergencias/Suicide: Taking care of yourself & your family after an attempt - Family guide for your relative in the emergency department
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/family_guide_SP2.pdf
Brochure intended as a guide for families of suicide attempt survivors on what to expect in the emergency department and after release from the hospital Also available in English in the Individual and Families brochure category. To order printed copies visit the NAMI website at http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=NAMI_Store
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Cuidándose depués de un intento de suicidio - Siguiendo adelante después de su tratamiento en la sala de emergencies/Suicide: Taking care of yourself after an attempt - Moving ahead after your treatment in the emergency department
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/consumer_guide_SP2.pdf
Brochure intended as a guide for individuals on how to move forward after being treated in an emergency department for attempting suicide. Also available in English in the Individual and Families brochure category. To order hard copies visit the NAMI website at http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=NAMI_Store
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Customized Information Series
URL: http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/customized/index.asp
These pages were created to help people recognize and respond to individuals who may be at-risk of suicide. Each page was designed for persons in a particular social role (such as co-worker) or occupation (such as primary care physician or teacher) and includes information on the most likely suicide risk scenarios they may face in this role or occupation.
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Data-Driven prevention planning model
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/datadriven.pdf
A suicide prevention planning model by Richard Catalano and David Hawkins is outlined in five steps. The model assumes that a broad-based coalition has been formed and is sufficiently organized to support the infrastructure necessary for this plan.
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Evaluation resources
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/evalresources.pdf
A list of resources related to program evaluation. The list includes book titles, online courses, toolkits, and online evaluator locators.
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Finding data on suicidal behavior
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/datasources.pdf
Sources for collecting suicide and suicidal behavior data at both the local and national level are listed.
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First national conference for survivors of suicide attempts, health care professionals, and clergy and laity: Summary of workgroup reports
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/SOSAconf.pdf
This report from an October 2005 meeting led by the Organization of Attempters and Survivors of Suicide in Interfaith Services (OASSIS) and the Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN USA) contains recommendations from participants on issues related to suicide attempts and the needs of suicide attempt survivors.
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Guide to engaging the media in suicide prevention
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/media_guide.pdf
This 44-page guide teaches you how to serve as an effective media spokesperson and how to generate media coverage to create awareness of suicide prevention. The publication describes how to use television, radio, and print media and provides examples of press releases, media advisories, pitch letters, op-eds and more. It also gives tips for identifying appropriate media outlets, creating up-to-date media lists, and tracking your results.
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Help at Hand-Supporting survivors of suicide loss: A guide for funeral directors
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/funeraldirectors.pdf
This 16-page brochure for funeral directors who are working with suicide survivors covers what's different about suicide deaths, tending to the complex needs of survivors, and dealing with compassion fatigue. To order print copies of this publication, call SAMHSA's Health Information Network at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727). Ask for publication number SMA09-4375.
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Ideas for Suicide Prevention Week
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/spweek.pdf
A list of 14 program and activity ideas to perform for suicide prevention week or anytime throughout the year.
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Instructions for Conducting a SWOT Analysis
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/swot.pdf
A tool to identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) of critical aspects of suicide prevention efforts. A bibliography is included.
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Is your patient suicidal?
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/ER_SuicideRiskPosterVert2.pdf
A four-color poster that provides Emergency Department practitioners with information on recognizing and responding to acute suicide risk. It is designed to be posted in staff-only areas. The poster features the most common and noticeable warning signs of acute risk for suicide as well as simple questions clinical staff can ask to uncover suicide risk when warning signs are noticed or suspected. The poster, resource guide ( http://library.sprc.org/item.php?id=584) and accompanying information insert (http://library.sprc.org/item.php?id=585) can be ordered from the Emergency Nurses Association through the ENA Marketplace (http://www.ena.org/store).
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Meeting summary and recommendations: Clergy workgroup on suicide prevention and aftercare
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/faithbasedconf.pdf
A workgroup meeting was held to identify clergy needs related to preventing and responding to suicide in the church community. This paper describes the process of the workgroup and provides a summary of the meeting’s content. The purpose of the meeting was to identify the critical elements needed for a competency-based curriculum to train clergy in suicide prevention and response to survivors of suicide. The workgroup provided information about needs, suggested training content and format, and identified possible dissemination strategies. The workgroup also identified action steps to further this project.
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NVDRS and suicide: How the National Violent Death Reporting System is being used to prevent suicide
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/UsingNVDRS_FactSheet.pdf
This fact sheet highlight ways in which National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) data have been used for suicide prevention.
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Preventing youth suicide in rural America: Recommendations to states
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/ruralyouth.pdf
SPRC and the State and Territorial Injury Prevention Directors Association formed a workgroup to generate recommendations to prevent suicide among rural youth. This report details the recommendations for state-level agencies to address promoting help-seeking behaviors, data and surveillance, services, screening and identification, gatekeeper training, bereavement, and survivor issues.
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Promoting mental health and preventing suicide in college and university settings (College White Paper)
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/college_sp_whitepaper.pdf
This white paper summarizes what is known about suicidal behavior among college students and recommends strategies to promote mental health and prevent suicide on campuses. The writing reflects the views of experts in the field of suicide prevention and proposes a blueprint for planning a comprehensive program.
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Relationship between the Economy, Unemployment and Suicide
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/Economy_Unemployment_and_Suicide_2008.pdf
Talking points on the economy, unemployment, and suicide prepared in November 2008.
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Resource scan of faith-based materials addressing suicide prevention
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/faithscan.pdf
During the summer of 2006, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center conducted a number of “resource scans”, designed to identify readily available materials for specific audiences on given topics related to preventing suicide and promoting mental health. This report details the findings of the faith-based resource scan
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Response: A comprehensive high school-based suicide awareness program. (Fact sheet)
URL: http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/bpr/PDF/RESPONSE_FactSheet.pdf
A fact sheet describing RESPONSE, a comprehensive high school-based youth suicide prevention program that includes a concise implementation manual as well as a student, staff and parent component. The program addresses: attitudes and behaviors; risk factors; helping guidelines; and skills practice. Program includes suicide awareness film series "Never Enough" created by OutreachArts.
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Risk and protective factors for suicide
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/srisk.pdf
Risk and protective factors are listed, along with a a reference list. This document is from the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action (2001).
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The role of faith communities in preventing suicide: A report of an Interfaith Suicide Prevention Dialogue
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/faith_dialogue.pdf
Report of an Interfaith Suicide Prevention Dialogue that was convened by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) to further the progress of faith communities in preventing suicide, and was supported by the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Participants included representatives of the five largest faith groups in the United States: Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu.
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Safe and effective messaging for suicide prevention
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/SafeMessagingfinal.pdf
A 2-page document that offers evidence-based recommendations for creating safe and effective messages to raise public awareness that suicide is a serious and preventable public health problem is now available. Contains Do’s and Don’ts for creating public messages for suicide prevention.
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SAFE-T pocket card
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/safe_t_pcktcrd_edc.pdf
The SAFE-T card guides clinicians through five steps which address the patient’s level of suicide risk and suggest appropriate interventions. It is intended to provide an accessible and portable resource to the mental health professional whose clinical practice includes suicide assessment. The card lists key risk and protective factors that should be considered in the course of completing the five steps. This version of the card, updated in 2009, addresses both adult and adolescent populations. The PDF image of the card prints out in the center of an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper because the original is a 6" x 7" two-sided, folded pocket card. Quantities of the SAFE-T cards may be ordered through Screening for Mental Health, Inc. at http://www.sprc.org/library/SAFE-TOrderForm.pdf. To obtain a free print quality file for reproducing the cards, please email info@sprc.org, including your name, the name of your organization/company, and your plans for using the SAFE-T cards.
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SPRC Brochure
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/sprcbrochure.pdf
Brochure describing the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and the services it offers.
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State data fact sheets
URL: http://www.sprc.org/stateinformation/datasheets.asp
Fact sheets for each state that can contain statistics for deaths by suicide, estimated hospitalized attempts, and data on medical costs, work loss costs, gender, race/ethnicity, age and method of suicide.
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Suicide among American Indians/Alaska Natives
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/ai.an.facts.pdf
This fact sheet contains data on suicide among the American Indian/Alaska Natives population. The document includes mental health considerations, cultural and ethnic considerations, and strengths and protective factors.
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Suicide among Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/asian.pi.facts.pdf
This fact sheet contains data on suicide among the Asian American population. The document includes mental health considerations, cultural and ethnic considerations, and strengths and protective factors.
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Suicide among Black Americans
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/black.am.facts.pdf
This fact sheet contains data on suicide among the Black American population. The document includes mental health considerations, cultural and ethnic considerations, and strengths and protective factors.
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Suicide among Hispanic Americans
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/hispanic.am.facts.pdf
This fact sheet contains data on suicide among the Hispanic American population. The document includes mental health considerations, cultural and ethnic considerations, and strengths and protective factors.
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Suicide awareness event resource kit
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/event_kit/index.asp
A logistics planning guide and general and state specific materials to help you organize, plan and conduct a successful event to raise awareness about suicide and suicide prevention. The kit contains sample publicity materials, state and national data sheets, and legislative information.
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Suicide prevention community assessment tool
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/catool.pdf
Adapted from: Community Assessment Tool developed by the Suicide Prevention Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. This assessment tool is targeted for "prevention networks," coalitions of change-oriented organizations and individuals working together to promote suicide prevention. It is comprised of four sections intended to gather information on: a) each community addressed; b) all agencies and individuals within the prevention network; c) target populations; and d) community suicide risk factors and prevention resources.
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Suicide prevention efforts for individuals with serious mental illness: Roles for the State Mental Health Authority
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/SeriousMI.pdf
This report is the fourteenth in a series of Technical Reports produced by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD). The report outlines the State Mental Health Authority’s (SMHA) leadership role in preventing suicide among persons with serious mental illness. It suggests ways in which SMHAs can increase collaboration, raise awareness of the signs of suicide, and intervene to save lives.
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Suicide prevention toolkit for rural primary care
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/primer.pdf
This toolkit contains the information and tools needed to implement state-of-the-art suicide prevention practices in primary care settings. Although the tools are designed with the rural practice in mind, most are quite suitable for use in non-rural settings as well. The Toolkit includes sections on educating clinicians and office staff and developing mental health partnerships, as well as patient management tools and patient education tools.
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Suicide prevention: The public health approach
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/phasp.pdf
Defines the five main steps of the public health approach and applies it toward suicide prevention.
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Suicide risk and prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/SPRC_LGBT_Youth.pdf
This 2008 publication addresses the special concerns related to suicide prevention among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth. It summarizes the current state of knowledge about suicidality in this population, and outlines twenty-one recommendations for helping to reduce suicidal behavior among LGBT youth. Includes a resource appendix and an extensive bibliography.
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Suicide risk: A guide for evaluation and triage
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/ER_SuicideRiskGuide8.pdf
A short companion piece for Emergency Department staff that includes all the information on the "Is your patient suicidal?" poster as well as additional advice on gathering a history on, evaluating, triaging, and intervening with people at high, moderate, or low risk for suicide. The guide includes a discharge planning checklist to help suicidal patients stay safe after they leave the ED, and find the support and resources they need. The resource guide, poster (http://library.sprc.org/item.php?id=583), and accompanying information insert (http://library.sprc.org/item.php?id=585) can be ordered from the Emergency Nurses Association through the ENA Marketplace (http://www.ena.org/store).
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Suicide survivor resources
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/survresources.pdf
Suicide survivor support groups are listed with links to organization websites.
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Tips for funding your program, determining your needs and developing a plan
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/fundingtips.pdf
Contains tips, as well as websites for government grants, foundations, and statement research.
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Trends in rates and methods of suicide: United States, 1985-2004
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/SuicideTrends2.pdf
In partnership with SPRC, Harvard Injury Control Research Center analyzed trends in rates and methods of suicide over a twenty-year period. Data is presented in graph form and is categorized by means, age group, sex, and race/ethnicity for 1985 – 2004. A black and white copy is also available for optimal printing at http://www.sprc.org/library/SuicideTrends2BW.pdf
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U.S. suicide fact sheet
URL: http://www.sprc.org/stateinformation/PDF/statedatasheets/sprc_national_data.pdf
A fact sheet of national data on suicide and self-inflicted injury, including data by age, race/ethnicity, gender, method and cost.
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Using the “Is your patient suicidal?" poster and Triage Guide
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/UsingIsYourPatientSuicidal.pdf
A brief set of instructions for emergency department staff who are displaying the poster and referencing the resource guide. The poster (http://library.sprc.org/item.php?id=583), resource guide (http://library.sprc.org/item.php?id=584) and information insert can be ordered from the Emergency Nurses Association through the ENA Marketplace (http://www.ena.org/store).
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Young adult suicide & student status: Findings from a pilot for the National Violent Death Reporting System
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/YouthSuicideStudentStatus.pdf
This fact sheet contains analyzed data from NVISS, a precursor to the CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System, that determines how many of the 18-24 year-old suicide decedents were and were not students at a college or other post secondary education program. The fact sheet also compares characteristics of non-student and student suicides to identify opportunities for prevention in both groups.
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Youth suicide: Findings from a pilot for the National Violent Death Reporting System
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/YouthSuicideFactSheet.pdf
This fact sheet contains analyzed data from NVISS, a precursor to the CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System that offers information about issues surrounding youth (under age 18) at the time of death and methods used.
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