According to the CDC, successful suicide intervention programs incorporate the following 8 strategies:
1. School gatekeeper training designed to help school staff identify and refer students at risk of suicide. Interval reassessments monitor behavior improvements or worsening. Training also includes response to suicide situations and the prevention of suicide clusters by providing support to youth trying to cope with the loss of a loved one or peer to suicide.
2. Community gate-keeper training designed to train community members (teachers, coaches, clergy and healthcare providers who see youths to identify and refer at risk individuals for further care.
3. General suicide education for students to learn about suicide, it's warning signs and how to seek help for themselves and others. An example is the 'Linking Education and Awareness of Depression and Suicide '(LEADS) curriculum implemented in Minnesota high-schools by 'Suicide Awareness Voices of Education' (SAVE), a non-profit organization in Bloomington, Minnesota dedicated to preventing suicide by educating people.
4. Screening programs that use screening instruments and questionnaires to identify high-risk individuals.
5. Peer support programs in schools and non-school settings to foster friendships and develop social competency in youth. Adult mentoring sessions can focus on techniques to increase dialogue with their children and the youth. Parents should be educated on communication, problem-solving and knowledge of child development in an effort to prevent rather than react to problems. Family members should show concern and provide social and emotional support for one another. By adopting a modus of daily reciprocal communication and shared activities, youth have an abode of peace and happiness; promoting health, bonding and resilience to stress. Advice and correction should be given without criticism or condemnation and cultural values and traditions shared. If individual families adopt this lifestyle, children are brought up having a sense of belonging and being valued. Like herd immunity, the influence of negative peer pressure (substance abuse, use of weapons) is minimal to non-existent and depression due to situational stresses is reduced.
6. Crisis centers and hotlines: Services including face to face and telephone counseling, referral for mental health care are provided by staff trained for suicidal persons.
7. Restriction of access to lethal means: Activities should be designed to restrict access of handguns, drugs, and other lethal means to population at risk and the government has a role to play by promoting such legislation. Bridges can be fenced to prevent people jumping off; health providers should ensure well regulated doses and amounts of medication prescribed especially in high risk individuals. Family members should ensure medications are safely stored to reduce access and chances of overdose and poisoning and weapons should be unloaded and locked away.
8. Interventions after suicide i.e "postvention" that employ strategies for communities to deal with suicide situations.
