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Suicide Prevention

At the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence (NOCE) we believe in fostering a community rooted in empathy, understanding, and action. Suicide is a complex and deeply personal experience that impacts individuals, families, and communities across all walks of life. This resource page is dedicated to providing culturally responsive information, tools, and support systems to raise awareness, promote prevention, and empower those affected to take steps toward healing. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself, supporting a loved one, or working to create safer spaces, these resources are here to guide you toward meaningful connections and hope. Together, we can break the silence, reduce stigma, and build a future where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

The Connection Between Opioid Use and Suicide

Opioid use and suicide are deeply intertwined public health crises, each amplifying the other in devastating ways. Research has shown that individuals who misuse opioids are at a significantly higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Chronic pain, mental health challenges, and the despair that often accompanies substance use can create a cycle of hopelessness, increasing the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Additionally, opioid overdoses—whether intentional or unintentional—often blur the line between substance use and suicide, highlighting the urgent need for integrated prevention strategies.

The Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence is committed to addressing these overlapping crises through education, awareness, and access to resources. By understanding the connection between opioid use and suicide, we can identify those at risk earlier, intervene with compassion, and provide comprehensive support to help individuals and communities heal. Explore the tools and programs on this page to learn how you can be part of the solution.

Resources Related to Suicide Prevention

Websites

International Association for Suicide Prevention – IASP

The International Association for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to preventing suicide and suicidal behaviour and alleviating its effects. IASP leads the global role in suicide prevention by strategically developing an effective forum that is proactive in creating strong collaborative partnerships and promoting evidence-based action in order to reduce the incidence of suicide and suicidal behaviour.

Zero Suicide

Zero Suicide is a Transformational Framework for Health and Behavioral Health Care Systems. The foundational belief of Zero Suicide is that suicide deaths for individuals under the care of health and behavioral health systems are preventable. For systems dedicated to improving patient safety, Zero Suicide presents an aspirational challenge and practical framework for system-wide transformation toward safer suicide care.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)

Builds national capacity for preventing suicide by providing T/TA and resources to assist states, tribes, organizations, and individuals to develop suicide prevention strategies (including programs, interventions, and policies) that advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, with the overall goal of reducing suicides and suicidal behaviors in the nation.

Tools & Resources

Considerations and Best Practices for Lived Experience Programs

This resource from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) includes some considerations and best practices that can guide any group or organization in developing a lived experience program.

Creating a Therapeutic Alliance in the Early Stages of Treatment With Adolescents at Risk for Suicide: A Tip Sheet for Clinicians

This resource from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) offers practical suggestions for clinicians working to build and strengthen therapeutic alliances, with a focus on adolescent clients at risk of suicide.

Posters & Infographics

WHAT CAN HELP PROTECT BLACK YOUTH FROM SUICIDE? Connect.Invest.Uplift. Connect .Invest .Uplift . Black youth have the FASTEST GROWING suicide rate compared to their peers of other racial and ethnic groups.Feeling connected to school, community, and other social institutions Relationship Identity Community Feeling connected to others and receiving support from partners, friends, and family Having a strong sense of cultural identity PROTECTIVE FACTORS Source: Still ringing the alarm: An enduring call to action for Black youth suicide prevention. (2023) call.text.chat.988 suicide & crisis lifeline What you can do: ConnectConnect with Black youthwhere they are InvestInvest in creative spaces and outlets UpliftUplift cultural traditions and beliefs

Connect, Invest, Uplift: Protect Black Youth From Suicide

This infographic describes simple, data-driven steps that anyone can take to protect Black youth from suicide. Download and share it with your community today.

Download Infographic

Publications

2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

The 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention is a bold new 10-year, comprehensive, whole-of-society approach to suicide prevention that provides concrete recommendations for addressing gaps in the suicide prevention field. This coordinated and comprehensive approach to suicide prevention at the national, state, tribal, local, and territorial levels relies upon critical partnerships across the public and private sectors. People with lived experience are critical to the success of this work.

Leading With Lived Experience Director’s Corner

The "Leading with Lived Experience" resource from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center highlights the importance of integrating the voices of individuals with lived experience into suicide prevention efforts. It offers insights, strategies, and best practices to ensure these perspectives are meaningfully included in planning, policy-making, and program development. This approach strengthens efforts by fostering authenticity, relevance, and community connection.

Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth: A Resource Guide for Professionals, Families, and Communities

This guide can help professionals, families, and communities support the mental well-being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) youth. Developed by SPRC in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago, the guide centers the input of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and those who have experienced suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

The Way Forward: Pathways to Hope, Recovery, and Wellness with Insights from Lived Experience

The Way Forward report, authored by the Suicide Attempt Survivors Task Force of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, provides recommendations based on evidence-based practices which incorporate personal lived experience of recovery and resilience.

Webinars & Online Learning

Current News & Research

Native and Strong Lifeline: The Nation’s First 988 Crisis Line for Indigenous People

The Native and Strong Lifeline (NSLL) is the nation’s first 988 crisis line designed by and for Indigenous people in Washington state. Operated by the Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW), NSLL has received over 4,150 calls since its launch in November 2022.