Suicide among older adults is a serious public health problem with over 5,000 older Americans dying by suicide annually. Both nationally and in Oregon suicide rates are highest among older adults compared with any other age group. In 2003, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Injury and Violence Prevention Program within Oregon State Public Health convened a multidisciplinary workgroup to write a plan that could help coordinate and focus efforts to prevent suicide among older adults in Oregon.