Shifting Suicide Prevention: From Panic and Punishment to Trust and Strength

Suicide prevention shouldn’t start with panic or punishment — it should start with people’s strengths: people thinking about suicide are often working incredibly hard just to stay alive. Too often policies focus on adding hospital beds or reacting after a crisis, instead of recognizing the courage it takes just to stay alive. When we center the voices of people who’ve been there, we can create policies that support them before things reach a breaking point.

Policies should start by listening to the people they’re supposed to help. Many people don’t want to go inpatient because they’re worried about losing their jobs or racking up huge medical bills — especially when they’re already overwhelmed. We need policies that help prevent things from getting to that crisis point in the first place, rather than defaulting to hospitalization.

Too often, when someone mentions suicide, providers panic and forget all the rapport-building and stress-management skills we already know. Over my career, I’ve worked with communities that have high rates of suicide attempts with a focus on trust, self-determination, and client strengths. Because of that trust, people are more willing to create and stick to a safety plan or even check themselves into inpatient care when it’s truly needed. It’s proof that with the right support, people can meet their own needs and stay safe without feeling forced or punished.

At the heart of suicide prevention is hope and trust. When we believe in people’s capacity to stay alive and build a life worth living, policies and practices shift from control to collaboration. By centering strengths, honoring lived experience, and offering real support instead of fear-driven reactions, we can create a culture where people feel seen, safe, and empowered to heal.