David Satcher, M.D., PH.D.
Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General
Office of Public Health and Science
Remarks at the Release
of
The Surgeon General's Call To Action
To Prevent Suicide, 1999
Old Executive Office Building,
Washington, DC
July
28, 1999
[This text is the basis for the Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon
General's oral remarks. It should be used with the understanding that some material may be
added or omitted during presentation.]
Thank you, Mrs. Gore, for having us here today. It is another example of the heartfelt
leadership which for many years now you have brought to issues related to mental health.
Thanks also to Senator Reid, Congressman Lewis, Doris Smith, Christopher Martin, and all
of our friends present today.
After hearing the powerful and moving remarks from the people gathered here this
morning, I dont think I should have to convince anyone that suicide is a serious
public health problem. Not only that, but it is reaching epidemic proportions in some
groups. It is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. In recent years Americans have
been very concerned about the number of homicides being committed across the country, but
it surprises most people to learn that for every two homicides that take place in the
U.S., there are three suicides committed. And suicides and homicides are often related, as
was the case in Littleton, Colorado.
The Surgeon Generals Call to Action to Prevent Suicide is the product of
an effort that has brought the best science together with the best experience on the
subject of suicide prevention. We held a conference in Reno last year with researchers,
clinicians, survivors and advocates to lay the foundation for a national suicide
prevention strategy. Since then, we have been working hard to achieve this goal. There
were more than 80 recommendations put forward at that conference.
In the course of reviewing those recommendations, we quickly realized that they could
be refined or reduced to 15 essential major recommendations which, if implemented
promptly, would greatly help to reduce the number of suicides as well as suicidal
behavior. Given that the country is facing an average of nearly 85 suicides and about
2,000 attempts per day, we felt that it was important that we get these recommendations to
the public as soon as possible, while continuing to work on a more comprehensive national
strategy.
The 15 recommendations revolve around three principlesAwareness, Intervention,
and Methodologywhose first letters form the word "AIM."
AWARENESS
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We must promote public awareness that suicides are preventable. We must enhance
resources in communities for suicide prevention programs and mental and substance abuse
disorder assessment and treatment. And we must reduce the stigma associated with mental
illness that keeps many people from seeking the help that could save their lives. The
problem of depression, for example is common in this country and throughout the world.
Dont be afraid or ashamed to seek help so that you can continue to be a productive
person, or to refer a friend or loved one you believe to be at risk.
INTERVENTION
-
We must complete our work with public and private partners on a National Strategy for
Suicide Prevention. We must eliminate barriers in public and private insurance programs
for provision of quality mental and substance abuse disorder treatments. We must institute
training about suicide risk assessment, treatment, management and aftercare for all
health, mental health, substance abuse and human service professionalsincluding
clergy, teachers, correctional workers, and social workers.
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We need to develop and implement effective training programs for family members of those
at risk and for natural community helpers on how to recognize, respond to, and refer
people who show signs of suicide risk. Far too many health professionals are failing to
ask about depression or to encourage patients to talk about it. In fact, about 70 percent
of elderly suicide victims have seen a health care professional within the month preceding
their suicide.
METHODOLOGY
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We need to enhance research to understand risk and protective factors related to
suicide, their interaction, and their effects on suicide and suicidal behaviors. And we
need to increase research on effective suicide prevention programs, clinical treatments
for suicidal individuals and culture-specific interventions.
It is my hope that communities, policymakers, civic organizations and individuals will
take these recommendations to heart and work to implement them. We must remember that
prevention begins at home, and the work of suicide prevention must be done at the
community level. At the same time, in the press kits which accompany the Call to Action,
you will find fact sheets that not only outline the problem of suicide in the U.S., but
lay out what the Federal government is doing and will continue to do in the area of
suicide prevention. Senator Reids work to secure an appropriations hearing in the
Senate will allow us to continue and intensify our efforts.
The Call to Action we are issuing today is only a beginning. Let us together
leave here today committed to preventing suicide in our nation.
I understand that Mrs. Gore needs to leave us now, although she will shake a few hands
with some of our partners on the way out. The rest of us will make ourselves available to
the press for individual interviews. Thank you again for coming.
Last revised: January 4, 2007
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