The revised National Strategy is a call to action that is intended to guide suicide prevention actions in the United States over the next decade. The National Strategy includes 13 goals and 60 objectives that have been updated to reflect advances in suicide prevention knowledge, research, and practice, as well as broader changes in society and health care delivery that have created new opportunities for suicide prevention. Print copies may be ordered through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Anderson, A. L., Lester, D., & Rogers, J. R. (2008). A psychometric investigation of the suicide opinion questionnaire. Death Studies, 32(10), 924-936.

Geisner, I.M., Neighbors, C., & Larimer, M.E. (2006). A randomized clinical trial of a brief, mailed intervention for symptoms of depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(2), 393-9.

DeJong, W. & Langford, L. (2002). A typology for campus-based alcohol prevention: Moving toward environmental management strategies. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Supplement 14, 140-147.

Hufford, M. R. (2001). Alcohol and suicidal behavior. Clinical Psychology Review, 21(5), 797-811.

Anxiety Disorders Association of America. (2007). An Audit of Mental Health Care at U.S. Colleges & Universities: Focus on Anxiety Disorders. Silver Springs, MD: Anxiety Disorders Association of America.

Haas A.P., Koestner B., Rosenberg J., Moore D., Garlow S.J., et al. (2008). An interactive Web-based method of outreach to college students at risk for suicide. Journal of American College Health, 57(1), 15-22.

Eisenberg, D., Speer, N., & Hunt, J. (2012) Attitudes and beliefs about treatment among college students with untreated mental health problems. Psychatric Services. 63(7), 711-713. 

Lasker, R.D. & Weiss, E.S. (2003). Broadening participation in community problem solving: A multidisciplinary model to support collaborative practice and research. Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, 80(1), 14-60.

Foster-Fishman, P.G., Berkowitz, S.L., Lounsbury, D.W., Jacobson, S., & Allen, N.A. (2001). Building collaborative capacity in community coalitions: A review and integrative framework. American Journal of Community Psychology, 29(2), 241-261.

This free resource was developed by The Jed Foundation and Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) to help college and university professionals develop a comprehensive plan to promote the mental health of their campus communities and support students who are struggling emotionally or are distressed

Silverman, M.M. (2008, April). Campus Security Begins with Caring. Chronicle of Higher Education.

The second webinar in the Campus Mental Health Action Planning series describes how to develop a clear and specific definition of campus problems that will help drive program planning. This session focuses on
examining data relating to student mental health and wellness; prioritizing problems and choosing which to address; and setting goals for health behavior and systems change.

The third Campus Mental Health Action Planning webinar focuses on selecting and developing campus practices that are most likely to decrease mental health problems, suicidal behavior, and suicide and promote mental health and wellness. Topics covered include how to: develop a comprehensive, multi-strategy approach; choose “best practices”; and use a logic model in program planning.

The third Campus Mental Health Action Planning webinar focuses on selecting and developing campus practices that are most likely to decrease mental health problems, suicidal behavior, and suicide and promote mental health and wellness. Topics covered include how to: develop a comprehensive, multi-strategy approach; choose “best practices”; and use a logic model in program planning.

The fourth Campus Mental Health Action Planning webinar provides a basic orientation to the design and implementation of process and outcome evaluations for programs that promote mental health and reduce risk factors for suicide and suicidal behavior. This session covers key methods of quantitative and qualitative program evaluation; experiences of one campus in planning an evaluation of a widely-used training program; and how to work with your program evaluator in developing an appropriate evaluation plan.

Davidson, L. & Ayash, C. Case Management Teams: Early Intervention for At-Risk Students. Presentation at 7th Annual Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Conference. Newton, MA: Suicide Prevention Resource Center, 2008.

This web site is an online resource for higher education administrators, students, parents, and other professionals who are seeking information about creating healthier and safer living and learning environments for college and university students, both on campus and in the surrounding community. This resource emphasizes a comprehensive public health approach to addressing alcohol and other drug use and violence and in promoting mental health wellness among students.

Center for the Study of Collegiate Mental Health (2009). 2009 Pilot Study Executive Summary. Pennsylvania State University.

The Jed Foundation & mtvU. (2006). College Mental Health Study: Stress, Depression, Stigma & Students. Executive Summary.

Butterfoss, F.D., Goodman, R.M., & Wandersman, A. (1993). Community coalitions for prevention and health promotion. Health Education Research, 8(3), 315-330.

Wandersman, A. & Florin, P. (2003). Community interventions and effective prevention. American Psychologist, 58(6-7), 441-448.

Edwards, R.W., Jumper-Thurman, P., Plested, B.A., Oetting, E.R., & Swanson, L. (2000). Community readiness: Research to practice. Journal of Community Psychology, 28(3), 291-307.

Core Institute. (2006). 2006 Survey Results.

Meilman PW, Hall TM. (2006) Aftermath of tragic events: the development and use of community support meetings on a university campus. J Am Coll Health. 2006 May-Jun; 54(6):382-4.

Reddy, M., Borum, R., Berglund, J., Vossekuil, B., Fein, R., & Modzeleski, W. (2001) Evaluating risk for targeted violence in schools: Comparing risk assessment, threat assessment, and other approaches. Psychology in the Schools, 38(2), 157-172.

This publication reviews and synthesizes information gained from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools’ model programs to identify the characteristics that are common to model programs that can be adapted for other campuses. Lessons are applicable to the prevention of any health problem on campus. Campus collaborations, including task forces and coalitions, are addressed on pages 35-44 and 65-68.

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Annual Report 2007: Experiences That Matter: Enhancing Student Learning and Success.

This publication is the product of a consensus process led by The Jed Foundation to develop a list of the key issues to consider in developing a comprehensive, campus-wide approach to managing at-risk students.

Pages 15-31, 57-62, and 63-77 address the problem description step in strategic planning.

Pages 33-41 address the goal-setting step in strategic planning.

Pages 43-62 address the step in strategic planning related to consulting research literature to identify possible strategies.

Pages 79-92 and 93-113 provide guidance on creating an action plan as part of a strategic planning process.

Pages 79-92 address selecting or developing strategies as part of the strategic planning process.

Pages 79-92 address selecting or developing strategies as part of the strategic planning process.

Pages 93-113 and 115-136 address the development of an evaluation plan as part of strategic planning.

Pages 93-113, 115-136, and 137-141 discuss implementing evaluating, and improving programs as part of strategic planning.

Hyun, J.K., Quinn, B.C., Madon, T., & Lustig, S. (2006). Graduate Student Mental Health: Needs Assessment and Utilization of Counseling Services. Journal of College Student Development, 47(3), 247-266.

Miller, M., Hemenway, D., & Wechsler, H. (2002). Guns and gun threats at college. Journal of American Public Health, 51(2), 57-65.

This website contains information about various health behavior change theories.

This website contains information about the University of Michigan's Healthy Minds Study.

Downs, MF & Eisenberg, D. (2012)Help seeking and treatment use among suicidal college students. Journal of American College Health. 60(2), 104-114.

Eisenberg, D., Golberstein, E., Gollust, S.E. (2007b). Help-seeking and access to mental health care in a university student population. Medical Care 45(7), 594-601.

Miller, M., Lippmann, S. J., Azrael, D., & Hemenway, D. (2007). Household firearm ownership and rates of suicide across the 50 United States. The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care, 62(4), 1029-1035.

This 3-page flyer describes the role of evaluation in program planning and implementation; skills, expertise, qualifications, and experience to look for when seeking an evaluator; incentives for the evaluator; questions to ask when considering an evaluator; and how to network to find the right evaluator.

Chung, H. & Klein, M. (2007, June). Improving identification and treatment of depression in college health. Aetna Student Health Spectrum, 13-19.

These web pages, on the site of the National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention, provide tools to help campus planners build sustainable programs. See especially Evaluation and Strategic Planning.

These web pages, on the site of the National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention, provide tools to help campus planners build sustainable programs. See especially Leadership for Change, Partnership and Collaboration, and Communications/Marketing.

These web pages, on the site of the National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention, provide tools to help campus planners build sustainable programs. See especially Strategic Planning.

Picklesimer, B.K. & Miller, T.K. (1998). Life-skills development inventory-college form: An assessment measure. Journal of College Student Development, 39(1), 100-110.

This book – known as the “pink book” – describes a practical approach for planning and implementing health communication efforts.

The Means Matter Campaign aims to increase the proportion of suicide prevention groups that promote activities that reduce a suicidal person’s access to lethal means of suicide. This link is to a set of steps for assessing and implementing means restriction on campus.

Eisenberg, D., Golberstein, E., Hunt, J. (2009a). Mental health and academic success in college. B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, 9(1).

Birckmayer J. & Hemenway, D. (1999). Minimum age drinking laws and youth suicide, 1970-1990. American Journal of Public Health, 89(9), 1365-1368.

American College Health Association.  National College Health Assessment: Reference Group Executive Summary. Baltimore, MD: American College Health Association.

American College Health Association. National College Health Assessment: Reference Group Report. Baltimore, MD: American College Health Association.

National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices, United States Air Force Suicide Prevention Program, reviewed July 2006. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Brochures, wallet cards, and other resources can be ordered on this website, and there is a new section addressing veterans’ mental health issues and suicide.

Gallagher, R.P. (2004-2012) National Survey for Counseling Center Directors. Arlington, VA: International Association of Counseling Services.

Drum DJ, Brownson C, Denmark AB, Smith SE. (2009). New data on the nature of suicidal crises in college students: Shifting the paradigm. Professional Psychology, 40(3): 213-222.

This report from the nonprofit Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence discusses issues related to access to firearms on college and university campuses.

Golberstein, E., Eisenberg, D., Gollust, S. (2008). Perceived stigma and mental health care seeking. Psychiatric Services 59(7), 392-399.

Zivin, K., Eisenberg, D., Gollust, S., Golberstein, E. (2009). Persistence of mental health problems and needs in a college student population. Journal of Affective Disorders, 117(3), 180-185.

This presentation from the 2009 SAMHSA Grantee Technical Assistance Meeting provides a definition, goals, activities, and considerations in intervening after a suicide or other campus tragedy.

Florin, P., Mitchell, R., Stevenson, J., & Klein, I. (2000). Predicting intermediate outcomes for prevention coalitions: A developmental perspective. Evaluation Program Planning, 23(3), 341-346.

This presentation from the 2009 SAMHSA Grantee Technical Assistance Meeting provides an overview of social connection as a protective factor against suicidal behavior.

Eisenberg, D., Gollust, S.E., Golberstein, E., Hefner, J.L. (2007a). Prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality among university students. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 77(4), 534-542.

Gollust, S., Eisenberg, D., & Golberstein, E. (2008). Prevalence and correlates of self-injury among university students. Journal of American College Health 56(5), 491-498.

This book updates a 1994 Institute of Medicine book, Reducing Risks for Mental Disorders, focusing special attention on the research base and program experience with younger populations that have emerged since that time.

Langford, L. (2004). Preventing Violence and Promoting Safety in Higher Education Settings: Overview of a Comprehensive Approach. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention.

This document describes a five-year vision for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s work to prevent fatal and nonfatal suicidal behavior by building and strengthening connectedness within and among persons, families, and communities.

Wyman, P., Brown, D.H., Inman, J., Cross, W., Schmeelk-Cone, K., Guo, J., & Pena, J. (2008). Randomized trial of a gatekeeper program for suicide prevention: 1-Year impact on secondary school staff. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(1), 104-115.

This brief guide outlines five steps for effective prevention planning and evaluation on campus. Although the focus is on campus alcohol problems, the steps and guidance are applicable to any health promotion or problem prevention program.

Institute of Medicine (1994). Reducing Risks for Mental Disorders: Frontiers for Preventive Intervention Research. P.J. Mrazek & R.J. Haggerty, Editors. Committee on Prevention of Mental Disorders, Division of Biobehavioral Sciences and Mental Disorders. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

Mechanic, D. (2002). Removing barriers to care among persons with psychiatric symptoms. Health Affairs, 21(3), 137-147.

Knox, K.L., Litts, D.A., Talcott, G.W., Feig, J.C., Caine, E.D. (2003) Risk of suicide and related adverse outcomes after exposure to a suicide prevention programme in the US Air Force: Cohort study. British Medical Journal, 327(7428), 1376-1380.

Zakocs, R. C., Tiwari, R., Vehige, T., & Dejong, W. (2008). Roles of organizers and champions in building campus-community prevention partnerships. Journal of American College Health, 57(2), 233-241.

Marlatt, G. A., Baer, J. S., Kivlahan, D. R., Dimeff, L. A., Larimer, M. E., Quigley, L. A., Somers, J. M., & Williams, E. (1998). Screening and brief intervention for high-risk college student drinkers: Results from a two-year follow-up assessment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66(4), 604-615.

Pena, J. B., & Caine, E. D. (2006). Screening as an approach for adolescent suicide prevention. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 36(6), 614-637.

Kessler, R.C., Foster, C.L., Saunders, W.B., & Stang, P.E. (1995). Social Consequences of Psychiatric Disorders, I: Educational Attainment. American Journal of Psychiatry, 152(7), 1026-1032.

Hefner, J., Eisenberg, D. (2010). Social support and mental health in a university student population. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry (forthcoming).

The Best Practices Registry (BPR) is a joint effort of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The purpose of the BPR is to identify, review, and disseminate information about best practices that address specific objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

Sobell, M. & Sobell, L. (2000). Stepped care as a heuristic approach to the treatment of alcohol problems. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68(4), 573 -579.

Borsari, B. & O’Leary Tevyaw, T. (2004). Stepped care: A promising treatment strategy for mandated students. NASPA Journal, 42(3), 381-397.

Eisenberg, D., Downs, M., Golberstein, S. (2009). Stigma and help-seeking for mental health among college students. Medical Care Research and Review (forthcoming).

Published by The Jed Foundation, this publication is a tool to aid colleges in developing awareness of various issues and concerns relating to students' mental health and in developing or revising policies, protocols, and procedures suitable to the unique environment of each particular college.

Cranford, J., Eisenberg, D., Serras, A. (2009). Substance use behaviors, mental health problems, and use of mental health services in a probability sample of college students. Addictive Behaviors 34(1): 134-145.

Hall, R., Platt, D. E., & Hall, R. (1999). Suicide risk assessment: A review of risk factors for suicide in 100 patients who made severe suicide attempts. Psychosomatics, 40(1), 18-27.

Silverman, M. M., Meyer, P. M., Sloane, F., Raffel, M., & Pratt, D. M. (1997). The big ten student suicide study: A 10-year study of suicides on midwestern university campuses. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 27(3), 285-303.

Klein, M. C. & Chung, H. (2008, Spring). The CBS-D Project: Transforming Depression Care on College Campuses – Part II. Student Health Spectrum, 3-8

This website provides practical, step-by-step guidance in community-building and strategic planning skills.

This website provides practical, step-by-step guidance in community-building and strategic planning skills. See “Analyzing Problems and Goals” toolkit in the “Do the Work” section of the site.

This website provides practical, step-by-step guidance in community-building and strategic planning skills. Chapter 3 addresses problem description. See also the “Assessing Community Needs and Resources” toolkit in the “Do the Work” section of the site.

This website provides practical, step-by-step guidance in community-building and strategic planning skills. Chapters 1.7 and 8.5 address coalition formation.

This website provides practical, step-by-step guidance in community-building and strategic planning skills. Chapter 19, addresses choosing and adapting community interventions. Chapters 20-26 provide additional guidance.

This website provides practical, step-by-step guidance in community-building and strategic planning skills. Chapters 36-38 contain information about developing an evaluation plan.

This website provides practical, step-by-step guidance in community-building and strategic planning skills. Chapters 36-39 address evaluation, including Using Evaluation to Understand and Improve the Initiative. The link “Evaluating the Initiative” in the “Do the Work” section of the site offers additional information on evaluation.

This website provides practical, step-by-step guidance in community-building and strategic planning skills. Chapter 8 describes how to develop a strategic plan. See also Chapter 19, sections 1, 2, and 3.

This website provides practical, step-by-step guidance in community-building and strategic planning skills. The link on “Developing Strategic and Action Plans” in the “Do the Work” section of the site offers direction on creating an action plan.

Miller, M., Azrael, D., & Hemenway, D. (2004). The epidemiology of case fatality rates for suicide in the Northeast. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 43(6), 723-30.

Rockland-Miller, H.S. & Eells, G.T. (2006). The implementation of mental health clinical triage systems in university health services. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 20(4), 39-51.

Kuh, G.D. (n.d.). The National Survey of Student Engagement: Conceptual Framework and Overview of Psychometric Properties. Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research and Planning.

Wallack, C. & Stewart, D. Training Gatekeepers to Identify At-Risk Students: Research, Utility, and Implementation. Presentation delivered at National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Mental Health Conference, Boston, MA, January 24, 2009.

Stokols, D. (1996). Translating Social Ecological Theory into guidelines for community health promotion. American Journal of Health Promotion, 10(4), 282-298.

Sussman, L. K., Robins, L. N., & Earls, F. (1987). Treatment-seeking for depression by black and white Americans. Social Science & Medicine, 24(3) (Print), 187-196.

This document, created by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (2003), contains risk and protective factors for suicide along with a reference list. Content is from the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action (2001).

This course offered by the University of Wisconsin Extension introduces a holistic approach to planning and evaluating education and outreach programs. It helps program practitioners use and apply logic models and provides a foundation in logic models and how to use them for planning, implementation, evaluation, or communicating about a program.

A companion publication to the Evaluation Handbook, this guide provides an orientation to the underlying principles and language of the program logic model for effective use in program planning, implementation, and dissemination of results.

This publication provides a framework for effective evaluation approaches, with an orientation to using multidisciplinary evaluation techniques, identifying the appropriate issues, and building capacity.

Zakocs, R.C. & Edwards, E.M. (2006). What explains community coalition effectiveness? A review of the literature. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 30(4): 351-361.

Gould M.S., Greenberg T., Velting D., Shaffer D. (2003). Youth suicide risk and preventive interventions: A review of the past 10 years. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 42(4), 386-405.