WASHINGTON, D.C., April 23, 2024 – SAVE – Suicide Awareness Voices of Education Executive Director Erich Mische and Director of Programs Jen Owens were honored to join other local, state, and national leaders in suicide prevention at the White House today for the release of the new 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and first ever Federal Action Plan.

The new National Strategy builds upon the original document released in 2012, addressing learned gaps in current suicide prevention efforts and centering the voices of individuals with lived experience. SAVE applauds the Biden Administration in its efforts to prioritize and directly address suicide, the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., through the addition of the first ever Federal Action Plan, which outlines over 200 actions across 20 governmental departments that will be implemented over the next three years.

“Not only has the National Strategy served as an important roadmap in the field of suicide prevention, but has also been foundational to the development and implementation of suicide prevention programming at SAVE over the last 10 years. We are eager to do our part and continue to align our work with the new National Strategy and the needs of those we serve,” said Jen Owens, SAVE Director of Programs. “Suicide is preventable, and efforts like this offer concrete guidance to state and local public health departments, nonprofit organizations, and other groups working tirelessly to prevent suicide. SAVE values the strategy’s many updates, including a pillar prioritizing equity, a vital lens needed to address populations disproportionately impacted by suicide.”

To learn more about the development of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and the Federal Action Plan, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.