The United States Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, has declared suicide a serious public health concern and has issued a call to action for each state to implement suicide prevention strategies.
Suicide prevention is a statewide responsibility that affects the community as a whole.
The strategies outlined in this call to action have built upon efforts that began in 1997 with recommendations from the Governor s Task Force on Youth Suicide. The 1997 Oregon Legislature established a Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator position at the Health Division. The primary task of that coordinator is to facilitate the development of a statewide strategic plan addressing youth suicide. More than 500 Oregonians participated in the community assessment and planning process that resulted in this plan. Efforts to reduce suicide rates show the most promise when multiple strategies are implemented simultaneously.