Action Alliance Framework for Successful Messaging

Messaging to the public about suicide?

The Framework is for you.

The Framework for Successful Messaging is a research-based resource that outlines four critical issues to consider when messaging to the public about suicide.

Strategy

Strategy involves planning and focusing messages, so they are as effective as possible.

Safety

Safety is avoiding content that is unsafe or undermines prevention.

Positive Narrative

Positive Narrative means ensuring that the collective voice of the field is “promoting the positive” in the form of actions, solutions, successes, or resources.

Guidelines

Guidelines means using any specific guidance or best practices that apply.

YOUR Message Matters!

It’s not just a Framework,
it’s a movement!

Sign on and take action.

We have signed on

uhs-facilities

UHAS
shalenia chee

San Carlos Wellness Center
Anna Cho

Epworth United Methodist Church
sherry mclaughlin
Angela Benbrook

Beth's Legacy of Life
Muscogee Creek Two Spirit group

muscogee Creek Nation Behavioral Health
Ashley Nieland

Central MN Mental Health Center
Andrea Iger Duarte

DMHAS
Lisa Sullivan

Texas Suicide Prevention Council
Reinette Arnold, LCSW,

The Empowerment Agency
Sarah E Cowett
Joyce woods

The Woods Foundation
Joyce Woods

The Woods Foundation
Cacilia Jensen

Four Corners Community Behavioral Health
Ellen Walsh

Four Rivers Behavioral Health
Kris Rankin

Van Buren County SAFE Coalition
Wendy Dooley

Helpline Center
Kimberly Haverly

Healing Heart Counseling Center
Stacy Gatz

Eaton RESA
Dr. Candace Burckhardt

Robbinsdale Area Schools
Charlynn Johns

Dallas Veterans Resource Center
Jenna Khorshid
Leah Rolando

Mental Health America of Wisconsin
Kathy Rovito

Men's Health Initiative, Inc.
Donna Schiavo

Bridgewater State University
Debra Caputo

Health & Safety Connection, LLC
Ellen Braden

City of Albuquerque
Suzanne Clifford

Inspiring transformations
Mary Wade
Naomi Jones

Spring Mountain Treatment Center
Emily Tucker

Emily Tucker Counseling LLC
Sabeen Bhimani
Aimee
Denise Pope
Theodora Schiro
Angela Gilbert

The Reach Program, Utah
Karina Camacho
Elaine de Mello

NAMI NH
Sharah Stevens

Smile for Tomorrow Foundation Inc.
Renee' Ruffin-Price

Brevard Youth Mental Health Task Force
Hannah's Heroes, Inc
Tom McKinnon

Better Vision for Children
Suzanne Hines
Kandicee Fallis
Penelope Homenides
Lynn Hennighausen
Cornealius Stamps

CNIC
Anna Thorpe

Community and Public Health, Canterbury District Health Board
Major Anna Rilea

USMC
Lorna

ELFORADO Park True Men's Forum
Monica Kurz

Headquarters, Inc.
Claudine Allen

ALM Hopewell Center/ People's Health Center
Martha Utley

Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Kris Rankin

Van Buren County SAFE Coalition
Marsha N. Sargeant, Ph.D.

Veteran Wellness Initiative
Marsha N. Sargeant, Ph.D.

Madre Bay Consulting and Psychological Services
Claire Ninde

San Juan Basin Public Health
Grace Durbin

Rest In Love
Alycia Burant

Healthy Minds Therapy, PLLC
April Foreman, Ph.D.

Suicide Prevention Social Media Chat
Kristin Stratford

United Way of Missoula County
Debi Traeder

Prevent Suicide Marathon County
Thomas Grinley

NH Office of Consumer & Family Affairs
Amanda Schuh

Fairview
Angela Cabal-Kessler

New Opportunities Inc.
Cheryl Shodd

ARNG-HRS
Marcia Epstein, LMSW

https://MarciaEpstein.biz
Stephanie Liden

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (Washington State)
Becky Bennett-Tears
Fran Moyer

Erie Community College
Darrell Buckner

Family Guidance Center
Kelli Deaton

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay
Laura Gallo

Boise State University
Alisa Smith
Deb Peddycoart

Foundation 2
Roderick Bain

Royal Australian Naval Association
Barney Lejeune

Jacob Crouch Suicide Prevention Services
Lacee Lyons

Gryphon Place
Amelia Lehto

Common Ground
Doug Webster

Medical Center of Trinity/HCA
Susie Maier

Aspire Indiana
Joan Muller Lyons

Front Porch Coalition
Amanda Ganoe

Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center
Nancy Agyapong

Nancy Agyapong Foundation
Donna Cederlund

NAMI Santa Cruz County
Jackie Oliver

Reach Out for Another Morning
Faith

Faith
Yancy Chandler

ASAP
kristin Stratford MSW

United Way of Missoula County
Tracie Meyer

University of Louisville
christine
Paul F. Millus

Mary Elise Millus Foundation
Terresa Humphries-Wadsworth

Walk Across WY
Meg Fairweather

Seattle Indian Health Board
Susan E Robinson
Samantha Johnson

Blinn College
Chris Love
Brenda Rabalais

Lee's Place
Jennifer Young, Ph.D.

Miami University, Student Counseling Service
Laura Horne

Active Minds
Antonio J. Caniano

Knights of Columbus
Sarah Cahill

Samaritans, Inc.
Paul Martin

WellSouth
A L Beautrais

SC DHB
Alexis O'Brien

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Melissa Witmeier

FL LINC Project
Alexandria Soto
Stephanie Coggin

AFSP
Annemarie Matulis

Bristol County Regional Coalition for Suicide Prevention
John Ackerman, Ph.D.

Nationwide Children's Hospital
Debbie Helms

Samaritans of Merrimack Valley
Lisa Sullivan

@StopTXSuicides
Lora Hand

Ozarks Medical Center Behavioral Healthcare
Kristin Stratford

United Way of Missoula County
Stephanie Downey

Beltrami Area Suicide Prevention Program
Annette Beautrais

New Zealand
Doria adams
Deb Semmelroth
Debbie Posnien

Suicide prevention network
Robert B. Peiffer, Ph.D.

Zion United Church of Christ
Elizabeth Santeramo
Darci S. Jewitt

Grays Harbor Public Health
Stella Shoff
Susan Tomlinson

Kauri Place
Julie Geddes

ODMHSAS
John Shuchart

The Shuchart Foundation for Mental Health Awareness
Brenda Smith

WEACT
Tom Mueller

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Inc.
Mariechia Palmer

Springing Families Forward
Pat Breux

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide
JoEllen Tarallo-Falk

Vermont Suicide Prevention Center
Paula Bossert
Debbie Rasberry

retired teacher
Carl Evans

Hope For The Day
Tina Meier

Megan Meier Foundation
Chris Wardlow

Catalpa Health & Outagamie County
Alicia Shank

Laurel Ridge Treatment Center
Susie Reynolds Reece

Garland County Suicide Prevention Coalition
Sandra Kiume

@unsuicide
Elaine de Mello

NAMI New Hampshire
Richard Lieberman

Los Angeles County Suicide Prevention Network
Joanna Robarts

Alpha & Omega Freedom Ministries
Gail Louise Auerbach
Anne DiNoto
Terry Cahill

Perspectives, Ltd.
Tameika Easter-Griffin

Stanislaus County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
David Litts

Faith Communities Task Force
Brian Dyak

Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.
Andrew James Manning
Ada Kercadó

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
Jessica Stohlmann-Rainey

Carson J Spencer Foundation
Tim Lane

Counselng and Testing Services, UNT
Emily Hoerner

AFSP Utah
Sarah B. Dennis
Donna Libemday

Lines for Life
Sylvia A Vasquez
Lynn Thorsell

WorkSafeBC
Julie Geddes

ODMHSAS
Ursula Whiteside

Now Matters Now
Clayton Kratz

Education Development Center, Inc.
Donna Noonan

Oregon Public Health Division
Kristine Barry-Olsen
Heidi Bryan

Heidi Bryan Consulting, LLC
sharlyn reitzes

AFSP
Julie Geddes
Michael Weber, Ph.D.

Port Washington-Saukville School District
Mary Cwik, PhD

Johns Hopkins
Robert Foley
Deborah Zwetchkenbaum

Lines for Life
Kate Baer

Mental Health America in Sheboygan County
Prachi Kene
Kathleen Snyder

LivingWorks Education
Beth-Anne Vieira

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Edna Pressler

Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Chris Poole
Bonnie Palmieri
Marti Vogt

perimeter church counseling
Alyssa Hill
Holly Rivera
Candace Perisho
Judith Harrington
Sharon Ward

United States Army
Susan Keys
Sara D. Harrell

Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center
Bonani Dwakaza

Department of Health, Community Psychiatric Clinic
JAE KIM

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Cassie Floyd
Davionne Dobson
Linda A. Addante M.D.
Ashley Hilkey

George Junior Republic
Anne Burke

Johnstown Therapy Centre
Martha Hewitt
Jennifer Kampermann
Pualani Casey
DeQuincy Lezine, Ph.D.

Prevention Communities
John MacPhee

The Jed Foundation
Doryn Chervin

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
PEDRO VILLANUEVA IRURE

TELEFONO DE LA ESPERANZA
Marie G. Dyak & Lawrence Scot Deutchman

EIC
Jerry Reed

EDC - Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Adam Chu

Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Nedra Kline Weinreich

Entertainment Industries Council
David McFarland

United For Equality In Sports & Entertainment
Paul M. Schyve

The Joint Commission
Jack Benson

Reingold
Linda Langford

SPRC
Garra Lloyd-Lester

Cortland MHA
Erie County Department of Health

Erie County Suicide Prevention Task Force
Marti Vogt

Gwinnett Suicide Prevention Coalition in Georgia
Mona Barz

Family and Children's Service, Nashville, TN
Barri Faucett

Prevent Suicide WV
Josey Quinn

Bipolar Confidential
Tamara Van Newkirk

Grassroots Crisis Intervention, Inc
Kellie Barnard

Grab A Voice
Linda Langford

Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Nedra Kline Weinreich

Entertainment Industries Council
Rev. Talitha Arnold

United Church of Santa Fe (United Church of Christ)
Lorri McMeel

University of St. Francis
Marilyn Downs

Tufts University Counseling Service
Ben Harrington

Mental Health Association of East Tennessee
Bob Gebbia

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Garra Lloyd-Lester
Keri Neblett

The Crisis Center of Johnson County
Teresa LaFromboise
Thomas J. Berger, Ph.D.

Vietnam Veterans of America
Candice Porter

Screening for Mental Health
Kimberly Konkel

US Dept. of Health and Human Services Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships
Lisa Stoner

St. Charles Community College
Jean Papalia

Safe Communities Madison-Dane County
Amelia Lehto

Common Ground
Bekah Hunt

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center at EDC
Sharon Fritz

University of Idaho
Elly Stout
Annemarie Matulis

Bristol County (MA) ionRegional Coalition for Suicide Prevent
Jason H. Padgett

EDC - Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Arthur L Matthews, MA LPC

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Anara Guard
Elisabeth Kissling
Jonathan B. Singer, Ph.D., LCSW
Garra Lloyd-Lester

Central New York Suicide Prevention Coalition
Bernie Dyme

Perspectives Ltd.
Rita Thrasher

Boca Raton's Promise
Dr Mike Ferguson

R U OK USA?
Scott Ridgway

Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network
Cheryl Plotz

Foundation 2
Cassandra D Kahl

Suicide Prevention Center of NY
Tonya Kreis, Nila Whiteshirt-Sears, Jeff Yellowowl, Vanessa Smartlowit, Nancy Wyena, Willeena George, and Katherine Saluskin

Yakama Nation Behavioral Health Services
Jennifer Holub Tischer

Community Resilience Institute
Jennifer Spiegler

Kognito
Carol Mueller

Alive! Canada
Ben Harrington

Mental Health Association of East Tennessee
Erminia Colucci

Centre for Mental Health, Global and Cultural Mental Health Unit, University of Melbourne
Brian Dyak

Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.
Skylar Jackson

Eicnetwork.tv
Melissa Halter

Center for Health and Wellness Promotion at University of San Diego
Lauren Davis

Forefront: Innovations in Suicide Prevention
David McFarland

United For Equality In Sports & Entertainment
Stephanie Coggin

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Candice Porter

Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
Tana Nash

Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council
Marie Dudek Brown

Creating Today, Inc.
Charlotte Tankersley

Hope Consulting Group
Amie Cajka

Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County
Hope M. Siler, MSW, LSW

Prevent Suicide WV, ASPEN Project
Chris Maxwell

Kansas Youth Suicide Prevention
Glen Gerreyn

Oxygen Factory Pty Ltd
BJ Ayers

Grace For 2 Brothers Foundation
Jennifer Battle, Beverly Bernzen & Merily Keller

Texas Suicide Prevention Council
Philip O'Keeffe PhD

Belfast Centre for Study of Suicide (N Ireland-UK)
Stephanie Downey

Evergreen Youth & Family Services
Jenn Ward

Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
Dorian Cole

Heb Iapt. Whittington Health
Meredith Wood

The Lake County Suicide Prevention Task Force
Heather Stokes

LivingWorks Education
Devon Tayler

Kaeprion Consulting Limited
Terresa Humphries-Wadsworth

Prevention Management Organization of Wyoming
Donna Holland Barnes

NOPCAS
Klaryce N Be..

Southwest Behavioral Health Managment
Adam Williamson

Teton Valley Mental Health Coalition
Doreen S. Marshall

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Lezlie D Culver

MHA
Mary Ellen Nudd

Mental Health America of Tx
Elizabeth Makulec

KUTO, Kids Under Twenty One
Melissa Rotkiewicz

UMass Amherst Center for Counseling and Psychological Health
Becky Stoll

Centerstone
Sally Spencer-Thomas

Carson J Spencer Foundation
Scott Perkins

Missouri Suicide Prevention Project
John W. Morrissey

Kenosha WI Police Department
John MacPhee

The Jed Foundation

WHAT it's About

The Framework for Successful Messaging is a resource to help people messaging about suicide to develop messages that are strategic, safe, positive, and make use of relevant guidelines and best practices.

It was created by the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention as part of its focus on changing the public conversation about suicide.

WHY it's important

Because messaging matters! Certain types of public messaging about suicide can increase risk among vulnerable individuals.

Conversely, communications can be a powerful tool to promote resiliency, encourage help-seeking, publicize prevention successes, and encourage actions that help prevent suicide.

HOW it's Unique

It's for suicide prevention messengers, rather than the media.

It addresses "public messaging": any communications released into the public domain. From posters, PSAs, and social media to websites, newsletters, fundraising appeals, event publicity, press interactions, public talks, and advocacy efforts, each contributes to the public's perceptions about suicide and suicide prevention.