Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital have joined forces to establish the Center for Suicide Research and Prevention, an initiative aimed at combatting the rising rates of suicide in the United States. With a $17 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, the center will focus on developing new interventions for identifying risk factors and treating individuals at risk of suicide.
Led by Matthew K. Nock, Chair of the Harvard Psychology Department, and Jordan W. Smoller, Chair of MGH Psychiatry, the center will bring together researchers and clinicians from both institutions to address the urgent need for suicide prevention. The United States has seen a 35 percent increase in suicide rates over the past few decades, and it is currently the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 34.
One of the key goals of the center is to improve the identification of individuals at risk of suicide. Currently, clinicians are struggling to accurately identify those who are most vulnerable. To address this issue, the center plans to test various intervention strategies, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in assessing patients in emergency departments. Using data-based prediction models, the AI tool will analyze electronic health records and flag patients at the highest risk of suicide.
In addition to AI, the center is partnering with the Boston chapter of Samaritans, a suicide prevention group, to provide evidence-based interventions to high-risk individuals. This program will offer trained Samaritan coaches to support and assist individuals in the three months following a hospital visit. By implementing interventions such as safety plans, caring outreach, and problem-solving, the center aims to reduce rates of suicide attempts and deaths.
The administrative core of the center includes a stakeholder panel consisting of individuals with lived experience, such as those who have lost loved ones to suicide or who have been involved in military and veteran programs. Their perspectives will be instrumental in shaping the center’s strategies and approaches.
Looking ahead, Nock envisions the center generating collaborative clinical research over the next five to ten years. By bringing together experts from various disciplines and expanding the workforce and expertise dedicated to suicide prevention, the center aims to bridge the gap between discovery and implementation in real-world settings.
The establishment of the Center for Suicide Research and Prevention represents a significant step in addressing the mental health crisis and tackling the alarming increase in suicide rates. With its multidisciplinary approach and focus on innovation, the center is poised to make a meaningful impact in suicide prevention and intervention efforts.
