Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide

The UR Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide (CSPS) has been at the forefront of suicide prevention and research for more than two decades. The CSPS is one of only a handful of Research centers worldwide focused on suicide prevention.

The CSPS includes investigators at the University of Rochester Medical Center and the VA Center of Excellence in Suicide Prevention. The CSPS also contributes to research education, including through two postdoctoral fellowships.

The CSPS Postdoctoral Training in Suicide Prevention Research Fellowship is supported by a National Research Service Award grant from NIMH. The VA Advanced Fellowship Program in Veteran Mental Health and Suicide Prevention is supported by the VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention.

The CSPS also contributes to efforts in quality improvement for clinical care and community-based prevention across New York State.

A Public Health Approach

A signature CSPS focus has been on public health approaches to suicide prevention, through a 'center without walls'.
The 2021 CSPS Strategic Plan seeks to extend and apply the public health approach to suicide prevention in these three ways:

person using a cellphone with blue lines projecting out

Innovative Methodologies

CSPS investigators are using novel social network interventions and digital health methodologies to assess suicide risk and treatment efficacy.

Learn more about our Innovations

Diverse Populations

CSPS investigators strive to advance suicide prevention science in diverse populations, including Black and Hispanic youth and adults, and the Deaf community.

Learn more about our Populations

Lifespan Approach

CSPS investigators study suicide prevention across the lifespan, from children to older adults.

Learn about our Approach

Directors

Kim Van Orden, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry

Peter Wyman, PhD
Professor, Department of Psychiatry

View All Research Team Members

View CSPS Faculty Publications

Education & Training

The URMC Department of Psychiatry Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide (CSPS) offers two postdoctoral research training fellowships in suicide prevention across the life span.

NIMH/CSPS Postdoctoral Training in Suicide Prevention
Research Fellowship
Supported by a National Research Service Award grant from NIMH, and is designed for individuals aspiring to academic research careers.

VA Advanced Fellowship Program in Veteran Mental
Health and Suicide Prevention
Designed to prepare psychologists, physicians, and associated health professionals with the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience necessary to become leaders and innovators in suicide prevention research and education, as well as experts in Veteran mental health care.

Contact Us

Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide
University of Rochester Medical Center
Department of Psychiatry
300 Crittenden Boulevard
Rochester, NY 14642
Phone: (585) 273-2047
Email: CSPS Manager

News & Events

Arielle Sheftall

Arielle H. Sheftall, PhD will be presenting at the NIMH Director’s Innovation Speaker Series: Youth Suicidal Behaviors: Where Do We Go From Here on December 16, at 2pm virtually and in-person at the Neuroscience Center in Rockville, MD.

person looking at computer

Dr. Anna Defayette, current KL2 awardee and T32 alum, spoke with the UR CTSI about her research on targeting social networks to prevent suicide in young people at high for psychosis and the role of mentoring during her research fellowship in the CSPS played in her career development.

person looking at computer

SafeSide Framework for Suicide Prevention in Rural Communities
UR Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence partners with SafeSide Prevention for a free workshop training series focused on suicide prevention training for service providers in rural communities.

Anthony Pisani

Tony Pisani Named to SAMHSA Technical Experts Panel
Tony Pisani, PhD has been invited to serve on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)'s Technical Experts Panel - Embedding Equity and Building the Suicide Prevention Workforce for Underserved Communities.

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