Death by suicide continues to be a major public health problem for Virginia and the nation. According to a 2021 report from the Virginia Department of Health, suicide deaths have been increasing since 1999. In 2022, we lost 1,211 Virginians to suicide. Most of those who died were male (80.0 percent) and white (76.3 percent), with males aged over 85 years having the highest rate of suicide (67.8 per 100,000 persons). Firearms continue to be the most lethal method used in suicide attempts. These statistics illustrate the gravity and importance of the work to prevent suicide. There is hope.

Preventing suicide demands a thorough public health approach that utilizes data-driven interventions. This involves building communities that are aware of suicide prevention, tailoring efforts to be culturally informed, recognizing the diverse perspectives and experiences individuals bring, and collaborating closely with the groups these strategies support. These efforts must be based on the best available research in the field of suicidology and must address approaches at all levels. Suicide prevention requires a community effort and support.

This report provides an overview of suicide prevention activities currently supported by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) across the Commonwealth.

The report includes an update on the work being done around the Lock and Talk campaign, which encourages Virginians to secure lethal means, such as firearms and prescription medications like opioids, to prevent their use during a suicide attempt. It also includes highlights from the Community Services Boards’ (CSB) Behavioral Health Wellness Teams on how each region approaches suicide prevention and implements strategies unique to their communities. Their efforts increase awareness, promote help-seeking strategies, and support healing across communities. The rapid growth of the Suicide Prevention Interagency Advisory Group and the evolution of The Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and Families (SMVF) are also included, as is the crucial work of The Campus Suicide Prevention Center that trains campus faculty and staff how to intervene during a crisis and provides ongoing training and support through their innovative ECHO groups. Updates on gatekeeper trainings, such as Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), safeTALK, and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), which are essential to educating communities about mental health, suicide prevention and intervention are also included, as are updates on the resources and information available on suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. Lastly, the 2023 Suicide Prevention Across the Lifespan Plan for Virginia guides efforts to prevent suicide in the Commonwealth.