About SPRC
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
About Suicide
Topics and Terms
Risk and Protective Factors
Costs of Suicide
Racial/Ethnic Groups
American Indian/Alaska Native Settings
Effective Prevention
Step 1: Describe the Problem and Its Context
Step 2: Choose Long-Term Goals
Step 3: Identify Key Risk and Protective Factors
Step 4: Select or Develop Interventions
Step 5: Plan the Evaluation
Step 6: Implement, Evaluate, and Improve
Engaging People with Lived Experience
Safe and Effective Messaging and Reporting
Culturally Competent Approaches
Evidence-Based Prevention
Comprehensive Approach
Identify and Assist
Increase Help-Seeking
Effective Care/Treatment
Care Transitions/Linkages
Respond to Crisis
Postvention
Reduce Access to Means
Life Skills and Resilience
State Infrastructure
About the Recommendations
State Infrastructure Tools
Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR)
Virtual Learning Labs
SPARK Talks
National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
National Organizations and Federal Agencies
Grantee Meeting Materials
8 2 5 5 1 (800) 273 talk
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-talk (8255)
Promote Social Connectedness and Support
Social support and connection are key protective factors against suicide. Positive and supportive social relationships and community connections can help buffer the effects of risk factors in people's lives. Programs and practices that promote social connectedness and support are one element of a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention.
What Is Connectedness?
In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adopted promoting connectedness as its strategic direction for preventing suicidal behavior.1 The CDC defines connectedness as "the degree to which a person or group is socially close, interrelated, or shares resources with other persons or groups."1
Connectedness can include:1
Connectedness between individuals (e.g., friends, neighbors, co-workers)
Connectedness among family members
Connectedness to community organizations (e.g., schools, faith communities)
The connection of groups (e.g., minority groups) to their cultural traditions and history
Connectedness and support can be enhanced through social programs directed at specific groups (such as older adults or LGBT youth), as well as through activities that support the development of positive and supportive communities.
Positive and supportive social relationships and community connections can help buffer the effects of risk factors in people's lives.
Support the development of relationships between youth and positive adults in their lives (e.g., teachers, coaches).
Help build positive attachments between families and organizations in the community (e.g., schools and tribal and faith-based organizations).
Create and sustain peer-delivered services and support groups.
Implement activities in educational institutions that help students increase and strengthen their social networks and connections.
It's important to remember that not all social connections are healthy. Suicide prevention programs should promote programs and practices leading to positive and supportive relationships. Engaging in data-driven strategic planning can help you assess your needs and assets, set goals, review possible program options, and determine which interventions fit your situation and desired outcomes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Strategic direction for the prevention of suicidal behavior: Promoting individual, family, and community connectedness to prevent suicidal behavior. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/Suicide_Strategic_Direction_Fu....
Upstream youth suicide prevention expert panel meeting summary
This meeting summary presents recommendations from experts on how to expand youth suicide prevention to focus on "upstream" approaches.
Strategic direction for the prevention of suicidal behavior: Promoting individual, family, and community connectedness to prevent suicidal behavior
This resource describes ways to prevent suicide by strengthening connectedness or social bonds within and among persons, families, and communities.
Connectedness & Suicide Prevention in College Settings
This paper defines connectedness and presents a connectedness framework and the implications for suicide prevention in college settings.
Preventing mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders among young people: Progress and possibilities
An update of the IOM book, Reducing Risks for Mental Disorders, this work focuses on the research base and program experience with young populations.
Promoting Connectedness among Older Adults
This Director's Corner features a guest post by Dr. Yeates Conwell on how to promote connectedness among older adults.
Promoting Connectedness to Prevent Suicide
This webinar explains the rationale for promoting connectedness as a suicide prevention strategy and presents ways to do so in various settings.
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), under Grant No. 1H79SM083028-01
The views, opinions, and content expressed in this product do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of CMHS, SAMHSA, or HHS.
Copyright © October 2020 by The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma. All Rights Reserved.
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SPRC
940 N.E. 13th Street, Nicholson Tower, 4N, 4900