The Suicide Prevention Contribution to Mental Health

Abstract

The kinds of activities that suicide prevention centers are currently engaged in are described, and it is noted that these activities are often not limited to the narrow focus of suicide prevention. It is also pointed out that suicide prevention centers engage in activities (such as counseling the relatives of suicides) that other agencies do not engage in and for which the staff of suicide prevention centers are adequately trained. It is argued that recent attacks on the suicide prevention center's contribution to mental health have failed to take cognizance of recent developments in suicide prevention and have been less constructive than desirable.