Why social justice matters: a context for suicide prevention efforts

• Main Authors: Shirley Hochhauser, Satya Rao, Elizabeth England-Kennedy, Sharmistha Roy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2020-05-01
• Series: International Journal for Equity in Health
• Subjects: Suicide prevention; Social justice; Suicidality; Advocacy; United States; New Mexico
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-020-01173-9

Abstract Suicide is among the 10 leading causes of death in the US and has the potential to suddenly change many lives. It often occurs when people are disproportionately affected by societal conditions, including inequities, discrimination, oppression, and historical trauma. We posit that a social justice framework can improve suicide prevention efforts when incorporated into existing strategies because it mandates that inequities be addressed. It does so through education, engagement, advocacy, and action, and can be especially effective in states and nations with high suicide rates and entrenched societal inequities.