Suicide Prevention
Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families, and communities. While its causes are complex and determined by multiple factors, the goal of suicide prevention is simple: Reduce factors that increase risk (i.e. risk factors) and increase factors that promote resilience (i.e. protective factors). Ideally, prevention addresses all levels of  influence: individual, relationship, community, and societal. Effective prevention strategies are needed to promote awareness of suicide and encourage a commitment to social change.
Data & Statistics
National Suicide Statistics through 2009 now available
In The Spotlight
- Blog update - Preventing Suicides
- Actionable Knowledge series
- New Report: Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior
- Understanding Suicide: Fact Sheet
- Suicide: At a Glance [PDF 165KB]
- Youth Suicide
- Study Links Peer Violence and Suicidal Behavior
- National Suicide Statistics at a Glance
- Suicide Support on our Facebook page
Popular Publications & Articles
- Recommendations for Media Reporting on Suicide
- Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
- Preventing Suicide: Program Activities Guide This guide describes CDC's public health activities and research to prevent suicide.
- Study Links Peer Violence and Suicidal Behavior
- Uniform Definitions To address the current lack of uniform definitions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed this document to improve and standardize data collected on self-directed violence.
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC)
4770 Buford Hwy, NE
MS F-63
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
New Hours of Operation:
8am-8pm ET/
Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - Contact CDC-INFO