If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide...
Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at:
1-800-273-TALK
(1-800-273-8255)
Suicides can be prevented by recognizing signs and symptoms, learning how to help, and taking steps to provide that help to people in need. The statewide program working to address suicide is within the Injury and Violence Prevention Branch of the North Carolina Division of Public Health. The program works to facilitate partnerships that can address this serious public health problem across different populations.
In 2020, the Injury and Violence Prevention Branch received inaugural funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a Comprehensive Suicide Prevention (CSP) program. This grant aims to address family, community, and societal issues that contribute to suicide through data-informed prevention activities.
Our CSP program focuses on reaching men, veterans, those residing in rural communities, and youth ages 10-18 with increased risk of suicide in North Carolina.
Our evidence-informed programs/practices include:
The Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Advisory Council (CSPAC) was formed and officially kicked off in February 2021 with a goal of building statewide capacity for suicide prevention. This group of multidisciplinary partners meets quarterly to address program implementation, policies, and outcomes to reduce the impact of suicide in vulnerable populations across North Carolina.
Statewide Inventory of Suicide Prevention Efforts
The map below indicates suicide prevention efforts across the state. Filters allow for searching for particular populations as well as safe storage methods. Due to the high number of programs in Wake, Durham and Orange counties, this area has been enlarged to accurately show the locations of efforts. Additional information for a suicide prevention effort can be obtained by hovering your cursor over a dot.
The 2015 N.C. Suicide Prevention Plan (PDF, 4.1 MB) is the result of a collaborative 16-month process among staff members within the Division of Public Health’s Injury and Violence Prevention Branch, the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health’s Department of Health Behavior, and the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services. Utilizing the input of approximately 180 diverse suicide prevention stakeholders, the plan’s primary purpose is to empower all North Carolinians with knowledge and to highlight examples of the actions they can take to reduce suicide. An Executive Summary (PDF, 1.4 MB) of the plan and a presentation of data (PDF, 676 KB) included in the plan are also available.
Suicide is defined as when a person intentionally ends their own life. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth in North Carolina ages 10 to 18, and the third leading cause of death for those ages 19 to 34. Suicide deaths are only part of the problem. More people survive suicide attempts than those who die. They are often seriously injured and need medical care. Most people feel uncomfortable talking about suicide. Often, victims are blamed, and their friends, families, and communities are left devastated.
According to the CDC, a combination of situations can contribute to the development of suicidal thinking.. Risk factors can increase the likelihood of suicide but may not be a direct cause.Risk factors for suicide include, but are not limited to:
Individual:
Relationship:
Community:
Societal:
Note: These are only some of the risk factors for suicide. To learn more, visit the CDC's risk and protective factors and suicide prevention pages.
Youth suicide is a serious public health problem that can have lasting and significant effects on youths and their families, peers and communities. Causes of suicide among youth can be complex and involve many different factors. Suicide can be prevented by addressing an individual’s risk factors, teaching resilience, promoting connectedness, reducing feelings of isolation and restricting access to lethal means. Youth serving providers such as schools can learn to identify and assist those at risk, reduce stigma and promote help seeking and provide linkages to care.
In 2008, North Carolina was awarded the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Youth Suicide Prevention Program, to address suicide among 10-24 year olds in North Carolina. The grant ended in 2015 and led to creation of the It's OK 2 Ask" website and provides suicide prevention trainings to communities. The program continues to provide technical assistance and subject matter expertise to youth serving entities.