Public Health's Role in Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention

This framework describes public health’s role in mental health promotion and suicide prevention. It is centered in fairness and justice and serves as a guide for public health programmatic and policy strategies. The intent of this framework is to help public health practitioners in communicating their role in mental health promotion and suicide prevention with multi-sector partners.

The Role of Public Health

While healthcare providers typically treat people who are ill, public health practitioners aim to prevent illness and injury in the first place. Public health specializes in improving the conditions where we live, learn, work, and play—what surrounds us shapes us and our health.

Mental and physical health are both essential to the overall well-being of every person. Mental health promotion is a critical aspect of suicide prevention as well as a distinct area of focus. Both of these areas share a common set of risk and protective factors. Addressing these shared factors through a public health approach can prevent other outcomes including chronic disease, substance use, violence, and adverse childhood experiences. When collaborating with multi-sector partners, public health can provide a strong framework to improve overall community health and well-being effectively and equitably.

This framework was created in partnership with Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and Mental Health America (MHA). Feedback on the framework was also received by multiple jurisdictions, partnering agencies, community members, and other valuable contributors.