This guide is designed to be a catalyst for social change, and to transform attitudes, policies, and services concerned with suicide prevention to reflect current knowledge. It involves a comprehensive and integrated approach to reducing the loss and suffering from suicide and suicidal behaviors in the United States. Representing the combined work of advocates, clinicians, researchers, and survivors, the strategy lays out a framework for action and guides the development of an array of services and programs for the future. It strives to promote and provide direction to efforts to modify the social infrastructure in ways that will affect attitudes about suicide and that will also change judicial, educational, social service, and health care systems. The public health approach is a rational and organized way to direct prevention efforts and ensure that they are effective. This national strategy represents the first attempt to prevent suicide through a coordinated approach between all levels of the government and the private sector. The Goals and Objectives for Action consist of 11 goals and 68 objectives that serve as the blueprint for action. Appendices include the following: "NSSP Goals and Objectives for Action": Summary List; Evaluation of Suicide Prevention Programs; Suicide Prevention Efforts in Process of Evaluation; NSSP Federal Steering Group Agency Descriptions; and Glossary. (Contains 197 references.) (JDM)