Suicide prevention: A view from the bridge

The future of suicide prevention activities is seen in terms of developments over the past decade. Seventy-four suicide prevention services have been established since the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center was opened in 1958. While many models have developed, principles of crisis therapy, transfer of patients rather than referral, use of the telephone in therapy, integration of the center into the community network of helping agencies, and use of nonprofessional volunteers are present as common elements in all. Predictions are offered for the differential development of independent suicide prevention centers and inserted suicide prevention services. Future emphasis is predicted for primary prevention of suicide crises, as well as continued refinements of secondary intervention procedures already developed.