Adverse childhood experiences and suicide risk: Toward comprehensive prevention.
Ports, K., Merrick, M., Stone, D., Wilkins, N., Reed, J., Ebin, J., & Ford, D.
The field of suicide prevention has had numerous promising advances in recent decades, including the development of evidence-based prevention strategies, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK), the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, and a revised National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. 1 Despite these important advances, suicide prevention still lacks the breadth and depth of the coordinated response truly needed to reduce suicide morbidity and mortality. Suicide prevention requires a comprehensive approach that spans systems, organizations, and environments, combining treatment and intervention with primary prevention efforts beginning in childhood so they can set the stage for future health and well-being. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including exposure to child abuse and neglect, are well documented risk factors for suicidality,2–4 and a viable suicide prevention target; however, suicide prevention efforts seldom focus here.