SAMHSA’s Award-Winning Newsletter
January/February 2011, Volume 19, Number 1 

Suicide Prevention Lifeline Promoted by Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics recently released Captain America: A Little Help, a free digital comic book. The 11-page story features a despondent young man contemplating suicide by jumping off a building.

After helping Captain America defeat villains battling on a nearby roof, the youth returns to his apartment and calls SAMHSA’s National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK), uttering the only dialogue of the comic: “I need help.”

cover of “Captain America: A Little Help - click to view comic book

“The primary demographic for readers of popular comic books is tech-savvy 20- to 28-year-old males,” said John Draper, Ph.D., Director of SAMHSA’s National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, in a guest post on SAMHSA’s blog. “Suicidal thoughts are common among persons in this age group, and males are particularly at higher risk of completing suicide.”

Read the full SAMHSA blog post about Captain America: A Little Help.


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January/February 2011 Homepage


  Cover Story & Related Articles  
Increasing Outreach, Feedback, and Virtual Communities

Increasing Outreach, Feedback, and Virtual Communities

SAMHSA has developed a “digital engagement” program with presences on major social media channels.


  From the Administrator  
Above All, SAMHSA Seeks To Improve Lives

Above All, SAMHSA Seeks To Improve Lives

SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D., talks about SAMHSA’s newly revised document on the Strategic Initiatives. Read more.


  In the News  
President’s Budget

President’s Budget

The FY 2012 Budget requests $3.6 billion for SAMHSA. View the chart.

Oil Spill Update: Call 1-800-985-5990

Oil Spill Update: Call 1-800-985-5990

To support those affected, SAMHSA and the Ad Council created a new awareness campaign.


  Military Families  
Presidential Initiative

Presidential Initiative

A new directive establishes a coordinated Federal approach to supporting military families. View Resources.


  Prevention  
Prevention Day 2011

Prevention Day 2011

Prevention Day included games and fun for local students. Photo Gallery.


  National Expenditures  
Behavioral Health Spending Down

Behavioral Health Spending Down

In 2005, $1.8 trillion was spent on all U.S. health care services; behavioral health spending accounted for 7.3 percent.


  Suicide Prevention  
Marvel Comics’ Superheroes Help

Marvel Comics’ Superheroes Help

“Captain America” is giving a little help to save young lives. Read more on SAMHSA’s blog.

Suicidal Thoughts & Behaviors: Who’s at Risk?

Suicidal Thoughts & Behaviors: Who’s at Risk?

An estimated 8.4 million adults age 18 or older had serious thoughts of suicide last year.


  Treatment Admissions  
Dramatic Shifts State by State

Dramatic Shifts State by State

By region, treatment admissions show striking variations.

Trauma-Related Counseling

Trauma-Related Counseling

Mental health screenings can help identify clients who have experienced trauma.


  Recovery  
Months Away, But . . .

Months Away, But . . .

Things are happening on the Recovery Month website. View webcasts and more.


  Statistics & Data  
Jump in Number of Pharmaceutical-Related Emergencies

Jump in Number of Pharmaceutical-Related Emergencies

A 98.4-percent increase in ER visits is related to the misuse or abuse of pharmaceuticals.


  Visit the SAMHSA Store  

Free Publications at Your Fingertips

SAMHSA’s website includes the new SAMHSA Store for publications and other Agency products. Visit store.samhsa.gov.

SAMHSA Store Video Tour

View the story of the SAMHSA Store. Find out how keyword taxonomy helps your search.