International Survivors of Suicide Day Timeline

2010

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention responded to a need

The group was founded to work with hundreds of national partners in the public and private sectors to transform health systems and communities, while also changing the national conversation on suicide.

2004

Lawmakers passed important youth suicide prevention act

The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, named for the son of Oregon Senator Gordon Smith, whose son died by suicide in 2003, is a program that distributes grants to states, tribes, territories, and college suicide prevention efforts.

2001

U.S. Congressional guidelines created a national suicide prevention strategy

Using former United Nations global guidelines, the U.S. created "A National Strategy for Suicide Prevention" that coordinated efforts across government agencies including the private sector and among community organizations.

1999

A senator's personal grief launched National Survivors of Suicide Day

Senator Harry Reid, a suicide survivor, introduced the resolution designating the Saturday before Thanksgiving as National Survivors of Suicide Day — a time for surviving families and friends to share resources and come together for mutual healing and support.