Suicide and Substance Misuse: Supporting Safety

Join the Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS) and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing on March 23, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET, as we explore how to effectively address the association between substance misuse and substance use disorder (SUD) and suicide, particularly opioid use disorder (OUD), to improve care for individuals at risk for and/or experiencing co-occurring SUD and suicidality. Attendees will hear from two leading experts in suicide prevention and behavioral health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, resulting in nearly 49,000 lives lost in 2024. Substance use is a significant risk factor for suicide, and people who use opioids are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Evidence shows that both suicide and SUD can be prevented through comprehensive health care and community-based strategies.

This webinar will provide an overview of risk and protective factors associated with suicide and SUD. It will outline effective prevention and intervention strategies organizations and clinicians can use to assess and treat individuals experiencing or at risk for SUD/OUD and suicide.

Educational objectives:

• Describe key statistics related to suicide and identify how this data can inform prevention and care efforts in substance use treatment settings.
• Identify the common risk and protective factors of suicide and substance use.
• Understand key concepts in supporting safer suicide care in substance use treatment settings.