In 1996, suicide was the ninth leading cause of death in the United States. The nation must address how to develop and implement a national strategy for suicide prevention to achieve a significant and measurable reduction in suicidal behaviors. A national conference on suicide prevention brought together policymakers, health and mental health clinicians, community leaders, and suicide survivors. This call for action offers a blueprint for addressing suicide: Awareness, Intervention, and Methodology (AIM), an approach derived from the collaborative deliberations of the conference participants. AIM presents 15 recommendations refined from consensus and evidence-based findings. Recognizing that mental and substance abuse disorders confer the greatest risk for suicidal behavior, these recommendations suggest an approach to the problem of unrecognized and untreated mental health and substance abuse problems, particularly in adolescents and the elderly. Working together locally and at the national level to complete and implement a national strategy for suicide prevention is an important step in responding to this public health problem. (Contains 49 references.) (JDM)