As U.S. Surgeon General and co-lead of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Task Force, I am honored to present the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action.

A little more than 10 years ago, one of my predecessors, Surgeon General David Satcher, issued the first National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. This document was a landmark that helped launch an organized effort to prevent suicide across the nation. But a great deal has changed since that document was issued in 2001, and so I am proud to follow in Dr. Satcher’s footsteps and release this updated strategy to help guide and galvanize us all to address the tragedy and the burden of suicide.

The strategy-revision process was initiated and overseen by the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, of which I am honored to be a member and to which I am particularly grateful. This innovative public-private partnership represents a new approach to enlisting all Americans in the fight to prevent suicide. Its multisectoral nature has great promise to really move us forward in this effort.

Suicide is a problem that touches the lives of many Americans. Many of us know a friend or a loved one who has attempted or died from suicide. Perhaps we have considered or attempted suicide ourselves. Some of us may have been affected as a result of a suicide in our community, school, workplace, or place of worship.

Despite these very personal experiences, most Americans are surprised to learn that between 2001 and 2009, an average of 33,000 suicide deaths occurred each year in the United States. Suicide is among the top five causes of death for adults under age 45 in the United States, and in 2009, more Americans died from suicide than from motor vehicle traffic-related injuries.

Those who die by suicide are far from the only ones affected by this tragedy. Suicide exacts a heavy toll on those left behind as well. Loved ones, friends, classmates, neighbors, teachers, faith leaders, and colleagues all feel the effect of these deaths. Sadly, these deaths are just one measure of the challenge we face. For every American who dies by suicide, many others attempt suicide, and many more suffer the despair that leads them to consider taking their own life. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way. There is much we can do, and the strategy that follows provides ways each of us can do our part.

The effect of suicide on communities across our nation goes beyond the personal. Suicide affects some of the most important concerns of our time. Suicide among those who serve in our Armed Forces and among our veterans has been a matter of national concern. The largest number of suicidal deaths each year occurs among middle-aged men and women, sapping the workforce we need to grow our economy. The fact that suicidal behavior occurs among some of our most marginalized citizens is a call to action we must embrace.

Reducing the number of suicides requires the engagement and commitment of people in many sectors in and outside of government, including public health, mental health, health care, the Armed Forces, business, entertainment, media, and education. This update of the strategy drew on suicide prevention experts from all these sectors, and I want to express my thanks to those who contributed to this document.

As the Surgeon General, I want to help make Americans aware of the heavy burden suicide imposes on our nation, and more importantly, do everything I can to help reduce the toll that suicide takes on America. That is what this document is all about.

No matter where we live or what we do every day, each of us has a role in preventing suicide. Our actions can make a difference. While a document alone will not prevent a single suicide, I hope that this document will help spur and leverage all of our actions so we can make real progress now in preventing suicide. We have no time to waste.

Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA

VADM, U.S. Public Health Service

Surgeon General