title: The physician's role in suicide prevention: lessons learned from a public awareness campaign.
abstract: The suicide rate in Minnesota has increased every year since 2000, making suicide a serious public health problem. In the spring and summer of 2009, the nonprofit organization Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) launched a public awareness campaign targeting four populations at high risk of suicidal behavior and suicide: adult men, seniors, teens, and American Indians. The goals of the campaign were to increase awareness about suicide in general and to let people know how they could help someone who may be at risk. In their evaluation of the campaign, researchers found a need to provide physicians and other health care professionals with appropriate information about suicide and resources that are available for those who may need help.They also learned the importance of engaging physicians in planning future campaigns.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Assessment Services, Minnesota Institute of Public Health, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boeke
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Reidenberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010819:Physician's Role; D011634:Public Health; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D055815:Young Adult; D000092864:Suicide Prevention