Since the 1980s, Pennsylvania has made strong efforts to prevent youth suicide through programs such as the Student Assistance Program (SAP), Services for Teens at Risk (STAR-Center), the Yellow Ribbon Program, and a variety of other approaches in local areas. The Advisory Committee of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) prioritized a state suicide prevention plan as one of the major goals for OMHSAS. A work group was formed and began to meet in July 2005. This prevention plan is a collaborative effort between those dedicated individuals from both the public and private sectors of our state. The work group strives to raise awareness about suicide and its prevention so that fewer Pennsylvanians experience the pain and grief resulting from the suicide death of a loved one.

Suicide claims the lives of over 1,300 Pennsylvanians each year—an average of 3.5 lives each day. It is estimated that each suicide directly affects six people. Therefore, over 7,800 Pennsylvanians become survivors of suicide each year. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death of young people ages 15-24.

Former US Surgeon General David Satcher presented the Call to Action to Prevent Suicide in 1999, in which he stated that the problems of suicide and suicide prevention are critical public health priorities for our nation. The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention debuted in 2001.

Since the 1980s, Pennsylvania has made strong efforts to prevent youth suicide through programs such as the Student Assistance Program (SAP), Services for Teens at Risk (STAR-Center), the Yellow Ribbon Program, and a variety of other approaches in local areas. The Advisory Committee of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) prioritized a state suicide prevention plan as one of the major goals for OMHSAS. A work group was formed and began to meet in July 2005. This prevention plan is a collaborative effort between those dedicated individuals from both the public and private sectors of our state. The work group strives to raise awareness about suicide and its prevention so that fewer Pennsylvanians experience the pain and grief resulting from the suicide death of a loved one.

Suicide claims the lives of over 1,300 Pennsylvanians each year—an average of 3.5 lives each day. It is estimated that each suicide directly affects six people. Therefore, over 7,800 Pennsylvanians become survivors of suicide each year. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death of young people ages 15-24.

Former US Surgeon General David Satcher presented the Call to Action to Prevent Suicide in 1999, in which he stated that the problems of suicide and suicide prevention are critical public health priorities for our nation. The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention debuted in 2001.