Sharing – Though not their purpose, some economic and social policies can help prevent suicide

We’ve talked about this before.

Rates of suicide attempts have increased significantly for certain groups. Researchers found that some of the most effective strategies to combat the issue are not intended to help with suicide risk.

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/13/nx-s1-5250256/though-not-their-purpose-some-economic-and-social-policies-can-help-prevent-suicide

Making mental health resources available to anyone who needs them helps with suicide prevention, but do you know what helps even more?

Things like:

• Better economic security through higher minimum wages and unemployment benefits
• Resources for substance abuse
• Laws that require parents to keep guns locked away from children

It turns out that our environment contributes to the mental health crisis, and improving that environment lessens the suicide risk. If the goal is to prevent suicide, then we need to be looking at the world we create around people.

See also:

• Can We Separate Individual Mental Health From the Collective?
• Empty Plates, Troubled Minds: New Research Exposes Mental Health Costs of Food Insecurity

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out to your local prevention organization. You can search for one here.