This research brief summarizes the major findings of a state suicide prevention planning study, identifies the key issues pertaining to the planning process, & offers suggestions for addressing these issues. It illustrates opportunities for decision making at specific points in the planning & implementation process. It provides suggestions for negotiating those decisions based on an individual state’s planning perspective, unique circumstances, & desired outcomes. Results suggest developing & gaining support for a state-based suicide prevention plan, & moving the plan toward implementation, are complex processes & that no single model for success exists.