NCJ Number
227770
Journal
Journal of Correctional Health Care Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2009 Pages: 227-231
Date Published
July 2009
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This position statement presents seven components of a successful suicide prevention program.
Abstract
Available information suggests a high incidence of suicidal behavior in juvenile correctional facilities. In addition, the available information suggests that most facilities lack an adequate suicide prevention curriculum. The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) recommends that all juvenile facilities develop and implement a comprehensive suicide prevention program that takes into consideration the unique characteristics of juvenile suicide risk in correctional settings. In this position statement, the NCCHC presents seven components of a successful suicide prevention program that focuses on recent research and implications for improved suicide prevention. The seven components include: staff training in suicide prevention, ongoing identification of risk, communication, housing, levels of monitoring, intervention, and mortality and morbidity review. All suicide prevention programs have a common goal: to prevent suicide, and, if a suicide occurs, to guide evaluation of the event to enable learning to improve care and enhance preventive actions. Resources and references