Alternatives to Suicide – a Harm Reduction Approach to Suicide

Alternatives to Suicide (Alt2Su) was first developed in Western Massachusetts by members of the Wildflower Alliance. The approach began with Support Groups and has grown to include a model for conversations about suicide that anyone can use.

In the Alternatives to Suicide approach, people are welcome to talk about anything, including wanting to die. No one will call the police, crisis, or other involuntary interventions. Nor do we offer any advice or assessment of experiences unless a person specifically asks for that. Participants are encouraged to use “I”-statements and make meaning of their own experience. Using this approach, people can explore the context of their experiences around suicide, their reasons for wanting to die, and work to change their relationship to their thoughts, feelings, and circumstances.