Suicide Awareness Month: Empowering Communities and Clinicians to Save Lives

As part of Suicide Awareness Month, the Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP) is highlighting the challenges and evolving landscape of suicide prevention. Dr. Noelle Lefforge, Interim PsyD Co-Director, PPC Director, and Associate Dean for Research and Sponsored Programs at GSPP, shared her insights on the critical issue of suicidality, stressing the need for systemic reform, community involvement, and professional accountability in mental health care.

Despite advances in research and intervention tools, suicide rates continue to rise, which presents a troubling paradox in the field. “We have better research, we have better information on how to intervene with suicide,” Dr. Lefforge explained. “But despite all the updated science, suicide rates continue to be a major problem.” She pointed to the launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline as a hopeful development, but cautioned, “We haven’t really seen how impactful that’s going to be yet.”

One significant challenge is how mental health professionals are trained to respond to suicide risk. She explained that the systems in place often cause providers to worry about liability, discouraging them from engaging with suicidality. As a result, many default to hospitalization without fully considering its broader implications. While hospitalization can be an effective treatment, particularly for severe psychological conditions, Dr. Lefforge raised concerns about its overuse, especially in restrictive, involuntary settings, which can destabilize individuals who may not need such intense intervention.

Dr. Lefforge emphasized the need for systemic change, particularly regarding the liability that mental health providers face when treating suicidal clients. Many clinicians hesitate to take on high-risk cases, as they may be scrutinized or held liable if a patient dies by suicide while under their care. "These are things we need to look at," she said, pointing out that fear of liability often leads providers to feel unequipped to handle suicidal clients, perpetuating their reluctance to engage with those in need.

This challenge is further compounded in rural and frontier areas, where suicide rates are disproportionately high. “Rural populations have suicide rates 50% higher than urban areas and increasing at higher rates,” she noted. Factors like aging populations, limited access to care, and the prevalence of firearms all contribute to this disparity. “Firearms are the leading cause of death in suicide attempts,” she added, highlighting the need for more focus on lethal means safety, an area where psychology is evolving.

Dr. Lefforge is committed to shifting the mindset of mental health professionals, advocating for more comprehensive training to equip clinicians with the skills to address suicidality confidently. “I’m a big believer that if you’re a mental and behavioral health care professional, suicide has to be in your wheelhouse,” she emphasized. At GSPP, the clinical training programs are incorporating innovative approaches like the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), which aims to engage patients in a collaborative process to reduce suicide risk, rather than focusing solely on crisis management.

The key to addressing suicide, according to Dr. Lefforge, lies in tackling its core contributing factors: feelings of burdensomeness, lack of belonging, and hopelessness. These elements, identified in Joiner’s Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide, play a critical role in suicidality. She stressed the importance of clinicians clearly communicating their willingness to engage with suicidal clients. Rather than defaulting to hospitalization, professionals should focus on understanding why suicide seems like an option and addressing the underlying suffering. She contrasted this approach with more traditional methods that often focus solely on preventing the act of suicide, advocating instead for a compassionate, root-cause approach to alleviating distress.

A recurring theme in Dr. Lefforge’s reflections is the need for clinicians to take proactive steps in addressing suicidality, not just reactive ones. Too often, providers feel unprepared to manage suicidal clients, thinking it falls outside their specialty. Dr. Lefforge urged all clinicians, even those in outpatient settings, to feel confident in using proven interventions. "There are two main things we know work: engaging in safety planning with clients, and engaging in lethal means safety," she explained. These approaches, including safe firearm storage or restricting access to other lethal means during high-risk periods, can significantly reduce the likelihood of a suicide attempt.

Dr. Lefforge also underscored the vital role of community-based support in suicide prevention. “Belongingness comes from community,” she stated, emphasizing that while mental health professionals are critical, they cannot bear the burden of suicide prevention alone. Friends, family, and community members must feel empowered to engage with those who are struggling. If someone appears to be going through a tough time, Dr. Lefforge advises, don’t just direct them to a professional. Show that you care, offer to help them find support, and let them know you’ll walk with them through their struggles. This kind of personal support can make a tremendous difference.

At GSPP, efforts are being made to integrate these approaches into student training. “We want all of our students to be competent in handling suicidality, not just those who specialize in it,” she explained. With on-site supervisors, CAMS protocols in place, and telehealth services to reach rural areas, GSPP is preparing future clinicians to address suicide effectively in both urban and remote communities.

Looking forward, she hopes to see broader changes in the mental health system, particularly in how professionals manage the risks and liabilities associated with treating suicidality. “We need to create a system where clinicians feel supported, and where hospitalization is just one option among many,” she said. By addressing liability concerns and improving training, she believes the profession can better serve those at risk. “I’m not saying hospitalization isn’t sometimes necessary,” she clarified. “But I do think clinicians often arrive at that decision too quickly.”

In terms of national resources, she praised the introduction of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, calling it a game-changer for those in crisis. “988 is like 911 for mental health emergencies,” she explained. “It connects people with local suicide prevention resources quickly and easily, which is crucial when someone is in the worst moments of their life.”

As we observe Suicide Awareness Month, Dr. Lefforge’s insights remind us that effective suicide prevention requires a multifaceted approach involving professional reform, community support, and increased awareness of available resources. Addressing suicidality goes beyond crisis intervention—it demands a sustained commitment to reducing suffering, fostering belonging, and empowering both clinicians and communities. If you or someone you know is struggling or exhibiting signs of suicidal thoughts, resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, local mental health services, and community support systems can make a crucial difference. Compassionate care and shared responsibility are essential to reducing the devastating toll of suicide.