Transforming Suicide Assessment, Prevention and Treatment Approaches: The New Consensus

Susan Stefan, J.D.

There is a broad emerging consensus about effective approaches to suicide assessment, prevention and treatment among suicide researchers, suicide attempt survivors, the Joint Commission, and the Centers for Disease Control, among others. This consensus is very different from current practices, and implementing it would require major changes in insurance, government funding, and the law. This presentation will summarize changing understanding of suicide prevention and treatment, obstacles to implementation, and how advocates and others can best utilize this emerging consensus to accomplish their goals.