Development of the 2025-2030 Connecticut Suicide Prevention State Plan
In September 2024, I began my role as a Research Assistant under the guidance of Professor Alexis M. May in her Risk, Prevention, and Intervention Lab at Wesleyan University, contributing to a project aimed at developing the 2025-2030 Connecticut Suicide Prevention State Plan. This opportunity has been both an intellectually stimulating and deeply meaningful experience, allowing me to engage in research that directly addresses public health issues and has the potential to save lives.
One of my primary responsibilities was conducting a comprehensive literature review on populations at heightened risk for suicide. Specifically, I focused on individuals living with chronic medical conditions such as cancer and HIV/AIDS, people with disabilities, and those affected by unemployment and occupational stress. This task required me to delve into a wide range of academic articles, policy reports, and mental health frameworks. It was both challenging and rewarding to synthesize this diverse body of literature, as I uncovered the complex ways in which these groups face unique risks for suicide and mental health crises. Through this process, I also identified significant gaps in existing suicide prevention efforts for these populations, many of whom are often overlooked in broad public health strategies.
A crucial part of managing this project involved organizing vast amounts of research efficiently. To streamline the literature review process, I utilized Zotero, a reference management tool, which allowed me to systematically collect, organize, and cite sources. This tool helped me keep track of relevant research articles, reports, and policy papers, ensuring that I could quickly access and cross-reference information. Zotero’s tagging and folder functions were particularly useful for categorizing research by themes, such as chronic illness, unemployment, and disability, which made the drafting process much more manageable and efficient.
As I continue to work on this project, I am increasingly aware of the importance of evidence-based, population-specific approaches to suicide prevention. I am also eager to further my research on how social, economic, and medical factors influence mental health and risk behaviors, with the ultimate goal of developing interventions that address the multifaceted nature of suicide prevention.
This research assistantship has been an eye-opening experience that has allowed me to apply my academic knowledge to real-world challenges in public health. It has enhanced my skills, deepened my understanding of suicide prevention, and motivated me to continue pursuing a career in research aimed at improving mental health outcomes and developing effective, compassionate strategies for suicide prevention.
