Rural Suicide Prevention Toolkit can help communities

The Rural Health Information Hub has created a Rural Suicide Prevention Toolkit to help rural communities create and implement effective suicide-prevention programs. The toolkit is undoubtedly a welcome resource, since rural residents tend to have a higher risk of suicide. The toolkit has six modules:

• An overview of suicide rates in the U.S.; risk factors for suicide; the costs of suicide to families, communities, and more; and the unique challenges rural communities face.
• Seven program models designed to address and prevent suicide.
• Examples of promising suicide prevention programs in different areas.
• Implementation strategies for rural prevention programs, and factors to consider when developing one.
• Tools that can help in evaluating a suicide prevention program.
• Resources and strategies to help create a sustainable program, including funding, workforce retention, strategic vision, and program adaptability.
• How to share your program's results so others can learn from it.