Suicide claims the lives of over 1,300 Pennsylvanians each year; that is an average of 3.5 lives each day. It is estimated that each suicide directly affects six people. Therefore, over 7,800 Pennsylvanians become survivors of suicide each year.

Former US Surgeon General David Satcher presented the Call to Action to Prevent Suicide in 1999 in which he stated that the problems of suicide and suicide prevention are critical public health priorities for our nation. The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention debuted in 2001.

The Advisory committee of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) prioritized a state suicide prevention plan as one of the major goals for OMHSAS. A work group was formed and began to meet in July 2005. This prevention plan is a collaborative effort between those dedicated individuals from both the public and private sectors of our state. The work group is striving to raise awareness about suicide and its prevention so that fewer Pennsylvanians experience the pain and grief resulting from the suicide death of a loved one.

Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Plan

Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Five Year Action Plan (2007 - 2012)

Pennsylvania Adult Suicide Prevention Plan

Pennsylvania Older Adult Suicide Prevention Plan

 

OUTREACH TO DIVERSE POPULATIONS: FINDING WHAT WORKS
Pennsylvania 2nd Annual Suicide Prevention Conference
September 9-10, 2008
Holiday Inn/Harrisburg-Hershey, Grantville, PA