A S A P

 Applying Science. 

Advancing Practice.

Preventing Suicide through Connectedness 

Suicide prevention is an important public health

strategy. There are a number of factors that put 

people at higher or lower risk for suicide, many of 

which are related to the concept of connectedness. 

Connectedness is the degree to which an individual or 

group is socially close, interrelated, or shares resources 

with other individuals or groups. Connectedness 

occurs within and between multiple levels of the social 

ecology, that is between individuals, families, schools 

and other organizations, neighborhoods, cultural 

groups, and society as a whole. For more information 

on the research behind connectedness as a protective 

factor for suicide prevention, see CDC’s Strategic 

Direction for Suicide Prevention (CDC, 2011).

The Enhanced Evaluation and Actionable Knowledge project is part of an intra-agency agreement between CDC and the Substance Abuse 

and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The purpose of this project was to engage three Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act

grantees* in a process to create products that apply evaluation findings to strengthen suicide prevention practice. 

TM

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

Division of Violence Prevention

Enhanced Evaluation and Actionable Knowledge for Suicide Prevention Series

Connectedness Between Individuals

Strong, positive relationships with others can be protective and prevent against suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Connectedness between individuals can lead to 

increased frequency of social contact, lowered levels of 

social isolation or loneliness, and an increased number of 

positive relationships.

What does this look like?

The Tennessee Lives Count youth suicide prevention 

initiative found that the relationship between youth 

and gatekeepers (positive adults in their lives, such 

as teachers, coaches, activity leaders, etc.) mattered. 

Gatekeepers who reported a stronger connection to 

youth in their program were almost twice as likely to 

accurately identify suicidal youth.

Connectedness: 

The degree to which a person 

or group is socially close, 

interrelated or shares resources 

with other persons or groups.

* The three Enhanced Evaluation Actionable Knowledge grantees were 1) Tennessee Lives Count 2) Maine Youth Suicide Prevention 

Program and 3) the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA-NW).

Can Connectedness ever be Harmful? 

Overall, studies show that connectedness is an important protective factor for suicide. Research tells us, 

however, that youths’ connectedness to negative peer 

groups may increase their risk for suicidal behavior.
Applying Science. Advancing Practice.

Connectedness of Individuals 

and Their Families

Positive attachments between youth, their families and 

organizations in their community are important and can 

increase youth’s feelings of belonging, strengthen their 

sense of identity and personal worth, and provide access 

to larger sources of support. Community organizations 

may include schools, and other youth-serving, Tribal, and 

faith-based organizations.

What does this look like? 

The Native American Rehabilitative Association of 

the Northwest (NARA) developed the Oregon Native 

Youth Survey specifically to provide information to 

Oregon Tribes that could be used to improve their 

programmatic activities, identify the community-level 

risk and protective factors for suicide, and inform 

future programming efforts. NARA administered the 

Oregon Native Youth Survey to 233 Tribal youth from 

four tribal communities and found that American 

Indian/Alaska Native youth involvement in Tribal/

Native community cultural activities and connection 

to traditional beliefs and values protected against 

risks for suicidal behavior. Youth surveyed who 

endorsed traditional beliefs and values had on 

average six more protective factors (e.g., feeling 

positive about the future, perceiving that teachers 

notice when they do a good job, feeling their 

community is “safe”) than youth who did not report 

feeling connected to traditional beliefs and values.

Connectedness Among Community 

Organizations and Social Institutions

Strong formal relationships between organizations and 

support services can help better ensure that services are 

delivered and promote a client’s sense of well-being. 

What does this look like?

The Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program 

found that a formal referral network connecting 

organizations with service providers was important 

for the success of a comprehensive school-based 

suicide prevention program. The network includes 

the school, the local crisis response agency, 

community mental health providers, substance 

abuse treatment providers, and hospitals. 

Connecting these organizations through this formal 

referral network has made it easier for organizations 

to share information and access services for youth at 

risk for suicide. 

What Can You Do to Promote 

Connectedness Within Your 

Community or Organization? 

The table to the right may be helpful as a conversation 

starter with others who share an interest in preventing 

suicide. Connectedness at the individual, relationship, 

and community/organizational level of the social ecology 

are described. Think about what your community is 

already doing that increases connectedness for youth 

at each level. Then, brainstorm ideas for what can be 

added to existing programs or activities in schools, faith 

organizations, youth serving organizations, or other 

organizations that have influence with youth and their 

families.

Reference

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Connectedness as a strategic direction for the prevention of 

suicidal behavior. Retrieved September 27, 2011 from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/Suicide_

Strategic_Direction_Full_Version-a.pdf 
A S A P

To learn more about connectedness and prevention of self-directed violence, please visit 

www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/Suicide_Strategic_Direction_Full_Version-a.pdf

Connectedness between 

individuals. Greater degrees of social 

integration (e.g., number of prosocial 

friends, contact with trusted, caring 

adults, low levels of social isolation 

or loneliness) serve as protective 

factors against suicidal thoughts and 

behaviors.

What current programs or activities are currently offered in our 

community/organization? 

(For example: Afterschool programs that allow youth to positively and 

constructively interact with one another on a regular basis)

What can be added to existing programs or activities? 

Connectedness of individuals 

and their families to community 

organizations. Positive attachments 

to community organizations like 

schools and faith-based organizations 

can increase an individual’s sense of 

belonging.

What is currently available in our community/organization? 

(For example: Regular “family nights” at school that provide parents with the 

opportunity to visit their child’s school, and interact with teachers and other 

parents)

What can be added to existing programs or activities? 

Connectedness among community 

organizations and social 

institutions. Formal relationships 

between support services and 

referring organizations help ensure 

that services are appropriately 

delivered and promote a clients’ wellbeing—as in the case of the primary 

care system and the mental health 

system. 

What is currently available in our community/organization? 

(For example: Formal referral network that meets on a regular basis and 

includes both referring organizations (e.g., schools) and service providers 

(e.g., mental health providers))

What can be added to existing programs or activities? 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

Division of Violence Prevention

4770 Buford Highway NE, MS-F64

Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3742

www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention

TM

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

Division of Violence Prevention