The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

today (January 3, 2005)

announced the launch of the

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK.

The national hotline is part of the National Suicide Prevention Initiative (NSPI)-a collaborative effort led by SAMHSA that incorporates the best practices and research findings in suicide prevention and intervention with the goal of reducing the incidence of suicide nationwide. In addition to the national hotline, a new website is being launched www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

In the United States, suicide currently is the 11th leading cause of

death among all age groups, accounting for approximately 30,000 deaths

annually. More than 100 crisis centers in 39 states currently

participate in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. SAMHSA is

committed to working with state and local organizations, such as the

Mental Health Association of New York City, the National Association

of State Mental Health Program Directors, and community crisis

centers, to expand the availability of suicide prevention and

intervention services.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is funded by a 3-year $6.6

million grant from SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services, which

has been awarded to the Mental Health Association of New York City and

its partners-the National Association of State Mental Health Program

Directors, Columbia University and Rutgers University. The National

Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a network of local crisis centers

located in communities across the country that are committed to

suicide prevention. Callers to the hotline will receive suicide

prevention counseling from trained staff at the closest certified

crisis center in the network. A nation-wide public education campaign

to raise awareness about suicide and the national hotline is under

development.