Injury, Suicide, and Violence Prevention

Injuries, violence, and suicide share many of the same root causes and can be addressed collectively by focusing on factors that either put groups at risk or protect them. For example, social isolation, substance use, and unstable housing can put someone at higher risk for injury, suicide, and violence. Conversely, supportive relationships, access to healthcare, and problem-solving and coping skills can be protective. ASTHO offers technical assistance on implementing best practice programs and policies to address them. For example, the Suicide, Overdose, and Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention Capacity Assessment Tool (SPACECAT) helps health agencies better understand their capacity to address multiple outcomes through shared upstream approaches. Additionally, ASTHO promotes the prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which are potentially stressful or traumatic incidents that harm social, cognitive, and emotional functioning and undermine the safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments children need to thrive.