Suicide Data: Updates from the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Data & Surveillance Task Force

Key Objectives:

• To introduce the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Data & Surveillance Task Force.
• To review the Task Force’s recent efforts to enhance suicide surveillance for all aspects of suicide (deaths, attempts and behaviors) at national, state and local levels.
• To explore opportunities for future collaboration and participation to improve suicide surveillance in the US.

Brief Summary:
Over the past decade, suicide has been among the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States, with more than 41,000 suicides occurring in 2013. Since 2011, the Data and Surveillance Task Force of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (NAASP) has collaborated with key partners to better understand the suicide surveillance needs and limitations of states and the nation. In September 2013, the Task Force submitted a report to the NAASP Executive Committee that outlined identified data and surveillance issues and made recommendations. At this roundtable, members of the NAASP Data and Surveillance Task Force will share the group’s recent work to address and improve suicide surveillance.  Possible future projects will be summarized and potential recommendations will be discussed.  The roundtable will provide a forum for sharing ideas on ways to advance the field of suicide data and surveillance, including identifying processes by which best practices and recommendations can be disseminated and shared with appropriate agencies and partners.   Better, more standardized suicide surveillance is critical as states and areas move forward in addressing and preventing suicide.  This roundtable plays a critical role in sharing information and increasing participation in this effort.