The Prioritized Research Agenda for Suicide Prevention is part of a concerted effort by the The Research Prioritization Task Force. This task force is made up of representatives of the National Council for Suicide Prevention (SAVE is the managing branch), the National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Action Alliance. The overall purpose of the document is to guide research toward efforts most likely to reduce suicide. The Prioritized Research Agenda does this by outlining several key areas for research. Funders of suicide prevention research are encouraged to use the Research Agenda to appropriately allocate limited funds.

The Task Force identified six Key Questions that reflect the breadth of the science optimally needed to reduce suicide burden. These questions mirror the range of public health and medical approaches to public health problems:

• Key Question 1: Why do people become suicidal?
• Key Question 2: How can we better or more optimally detect/predict risk?
• Key Question 3: What interventions prevent individuals from engaging in suicidal behavior?
• Key Question 4: What services are most effective for treating the suicidal person and preventing suicidal behavior?
• Key Question 5: What other types of interventions (outside health care settings) reduce suicide risk?
• Key Question 6: What new and existing research infrastructure is needed to reduce suicidal behavior?

The Agenda includes three short-term and three long-term research objectives for each of the six Key Questions. These Key Questions are not prioritized in any particular order; however, the research objectives identified under each Key Question are prioritized based on what is believed to have the biggest impact in both the short-term and long-term. The text of the Agenda also includes the processes used by the Task Force to develop the research pathways and objectives.

SAVE’s Executive Director serves on Editorial Boards and assists in Grant Proposal selection.