Suicide Prevention Initiatives through Comprehensive Suicide Prevention (CSP)

Suicide Prevention

In 2022, there were 1,626 suicide-related deaths in Georgia and suicide was among the leading causes of injury-related deaths. Suicide is preventable and Georgia’s Comprehensive Suicide Prevention program aims to reduce the rate of suicide among our communities by using prevention strategies, spreading awareness, and providing connections to services through our partners to reduce risk.

Help is available

Help is available 24/7. Connect with someone if you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis. This service is free, confidential, and will connect you with a trained Crisis Counselor. 

Call, Text, or Chat 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Your conversation is confidential and judgment-free.

Language: English, Spanish

Using 988, What to Expect

Suicide Prevention Initiatives through Comprehensive Suicide Prevention (CSP):

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) granted 5-year funding to Georgia Department of Public Health's Injury Prevention Program to expand the Comprehensive Suicide Prevention (CSP) program to two groups that are affected by suicide more than others in the state of Georgia.

  • Group 1 - represents military and emergency services personnel residing in Georgia, identified as anyone who has served within any branch of the military including the reserves and those in first responder professions.
  • Group 2 - represents youth and families 10-44 years of age that live within Clayton County.

Injury Prevention Program (IPP) Approaches: 

  1. Establish relationships and connections with public and private sector partners. 
  2. Use data to track how often suicide attempts and deaths by suicide occur in the two groups. 
  3. Review programming to determine where more support is needed for each group. 
  4. Select and implement suicide prevention strategies and approaches from the CDC’s Suicide Prevention Resource for Action. 
  5. Evaluate and meet with partners to review progress, changes in how often suicide attempts and deaths by suicide occur, lessons learned, and successes. 

IPP has designed a three-level intervention approach using community-based, healthcare related, and upstream interventions based on CDC recommendations.

  • Risk Factors

    Suicide isn't always caused by one event or reason. Many things can increase risk for suicide. Some examples are:

    • Individual Risk Factors:
      • Mental Health Disorders: Major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders.
      • Substance Abuse
      • Previous Suicide Attempts
      • Chronic Illness or Pain
      • Psychological Factors: Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or having no reason to live.
      • Impulsivity and Aggression
    • Demographic Risk Factors:
      • Age: Adolescents, young adults, and older adults have higher risk.
      • Gender: Males are more likely to die by suicide, although females attempt suicide more frequently.
      • Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: LGBTQ+ individuals face higher risks due to discrimination, stigma, and lack of support.
    • Social and Environmental Risk Factors:
      • Family History
      • Relationship Issues
      • Isolation
      • Economic Stress: Unemployment, financial difficulties, or experiencing homelessness.
      • Access to Lethal Means: e.g., firearms, medications
    • Cultural and Societal Risk Factors:
      • Stigma
      • Cultural Beliefs
      • Media Influence
      • Community Violence
  • Protective Factors

    There are also ways we can help decrease risk of suicide. Some examples are:

    • Effective Mental Health Care: Being able to see a mental health counselor professional who can relate to you, including having transportation or using the internet for video appointments.
    • Strong Personal Relationships: Having supportive family and friends.
    • Problem-Solving Skills: Good coping and problem-solving abilities.
    • Cultural and Religious Beliefs: Beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation.
    • Restricted Access to & Proper Counseling for Lethal Means: Measures to limit access to common means of suicide, such as firearms and certain medications.
  • GA CSP Syndromic Surveillance Dashboard

    The CSP team has developed a syndromic surveillance dashboard specific to GA communities to understand trends and contributors that increase risk of suicide and suicidal behaviors. The goal is to track and monitor morbidity and mortality rates. 

  • Mental Health and Other Resources for Suicide Prevention

    Additional state and national resources related to mental health and suicide prevention are available if you or a loved one need them. Click the link to go to that page.

     

    State Resources

    Georgia Mobile Crisis Line - Mobile (on site) 24/7 mental health crisis support. Call 1-800-715-4225

    Georgia Suicide Bereavement Support Groups –  Support Group Map

    Find Help GA offers financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, childcare, job training, and other free or reduced-cost services. 

    NAMI Suicide Prevention Lifeline Georgia (800) 273-TALK 

    Georgia Parent Support Network (GPSN) provides support, education, and advocacy for children and youth with mental illness and behavioral differences and their families. GPSN offers a statewide parent support and education group on Tuesdays 2PM – 3PM. 

    Ser Familia offers family, social, and mental health support.

     

    National Resources 

    988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - Call or Text 988  

    Crisis Text Line, Text HOME to 741741 

    Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 (press 1)

    Find Help 

    Teen Line, call 800 852-8336 or TEXT TEEN to 839863 

    Latinx Therapy aims to destigmatize mental health. They host a bilingual (Spanish and English) podcast and offer a national therapist directory. 

    ParenTeen Connect offers online videos created by Committee for Children for parents/caregivers of teens. In English or Spanish. 

    The Trevor Project offers free and confidential support from counselors for LGBT youth. Services include mental health, suicide prevention, and peer support. Call 1-866-488-7386 or Text ‘START’ to 678-678. 24/7 

    My Safety Plan offers a prioritized list of coping strategies and sources of support. This website can help you build a suicide prevention safety plan. 

    Inclusive Therapists offers therapy for marginalized communities. Some of the services include individual therapy, relationship therapy, family therapy, and therapy for adolescence and teens. 

    Mental Health America offers online mental health screening tools that can help identify if someone is experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. 

    Black Mental Health Alliance offers educational forums, training, and referral services that support the health and well-being of the Black community. 

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Suicide Prevention Resource for Action | Suicide Prevention | CDC  

    National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention 

    Suicide Prevention Resource Center -  

    National Institute of Mental Health - 

    United States Department of Health and Human Services - HHS National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

Key Partners:

 

For questions or more information, contact:

Jinny Jang, Suicide Prevention Program Manager

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

Page last updated 11/19/2024