As the Data, Planning, and Integration elements describe, suicide prevention efforts must be comprehensive and evidence-informed, and they must address existing risk and protective factors. To be successful, efforts also must align with community perspectives, culture, readiness, strengths, and needs. Cultural alignment, also called “fit,” is as important to the success of a suicide prevention effort as the use of evidence-informed approaches.

To make sure that suicide prevention efforts fit the cultures of community groups at higher risk, members of the relevant groups, including community leaders, should be involved from the beginning. Work with people who both carry out and participate in suicide prevention programs to tailor efforts and ensure they are relevant to the local context and culture—its environment, structures, and specific situation. Consider the needs of groups that have been identified as at risk or underserved, including culturally and linguistically diverse populations, while also considering the evidence for what works in suicide prevention. Visit the CDC’s Suicide Prevention Resource for Action for approaches with the best available evidence (evidence-informed approaches) and selected policies, programs, and practices.