Obama administration encourages open data, innovation for suicide prevention

The Obama administration is working with organizations across the country to promote mental health and prevent suicide.

“Suicide prevention is the responsibility of all people,” President Barack Obama said in a press release. “One small act — the decision to reach out to your neighbor, offer support to a friend, or encourage a veteran in need to seek help — can make a difference. It can help energize a national conversation and a changing attitude across America. If you are hurting, know this: You are not forgotten. You are never alone. Your country is here for you, and help is available.”

In an effort to promote mental health and prevent suicide, Obama has implemented the Get Covered initiative under the Affordable Care Act, which extends mental health and substance abuse coverage to more than 60 million Americans.

The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, signed by the president in February 2015, extends benefits and resources to veterans with PTSD and other mental health and medical disorders.

Obama recently declared World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 and hosted a White House event, Partnerships for Suicide Prevention, on October 9, as part of Global Suicide Prevention Month and Global Mental Health Day.

The event had a mission of “using data to strengthen mental health awareness and suicide prevention,” according to the release.

The administration has designated science and data as tools for solving challenges and is committed to using open data and innovation for significant mental health and suicide prevention issues.

To advance these efforts, a series of free events will be hosted across the United States on December 12 in Boston, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Data scientists, innovators, designers and next-generation technologists will join together with suicide prevention experts at these events.

For more information:

To learn more about events happening December 12 or how to get involved, visit http://www.innovation.va.gov/suicideprevention/.