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Suicide is a significant global public health concern, resulting in over 800,000 deaths per year, and most suicide prevention efforts have historically adhered to a deficit-oriented, risk-based approach. In contrast, the authors in our volume take a strengths-based approach, which we term positive suicidology. Spanning both interpersonal and intrapersonal factors, our authors offer theory and research to support the use of adaptive characteristics, such as future orientation, forgiveness, gratitude, and mindfulness, to prevent suicide. We also consider context and culture, including community-based participatory empowerment strategies for suicide prevention. In this introductory chapter, utilizing a framework of applied resiliency, we discuss the integration of positive psychological theories, such as the Broaden-and-Build theory, and suicidology theories, such as emotion dysregulation theory, noting points of synthesis and highlighting opportunities for intervention. Our goal for this chapter and volume is that the reader will gain a better understanding of the emerging field of positive suicidology, including an ability to utilize this strength-based approach therapeutically to prevent suicide, and the curiosity to continue scientific exploration of the linkages between positive psychological factors and well-being as they occur in the context of distress.

In this volume, our contributing experts have described the potential application of positive psychological constructs to the prevention of suicide, melding together the two seemingly disparate fields of positive psychology and suicidology. Using a framework of applied resiliency, this new field of Positive Suicidology stands in contrast to traditional deficit-oriented therapeutic and research approaches, with its emphasis on strengths, virtues, and adaptivity. Comprising classic topics such as reasons for living and social support, as well as the modern perspectives of gratitude, forgiveness, and mindfulness, we have posited Positive Suicidology as a new paradigm for suicide prevention and intervention, including as a proactive and preemptive public health strategy. Thematic patterns emerged from our exploration, suggesting that protection from suicide is multi-faceted, involving interpersonal and intrapersonal well-being, but also existential health and temporal balance. Our authors address theoretical and research support for an array of positive psychological factors found to reduce suicide risk, and discuss strategies for their clinical application, including therapies based on future orientation, mindfulness, and meaning-making. Future longitudinal research is needed on these and additional positive psychological factors, such as humor and grit, including in clinical samples, to insure the strengths-based approach we are advocating is efficacious. Overall, Positive Suicidology seems to be a necessary approach to suicide prevention, given that many of its primary constructs are overlooked in traditional therapeutic approaches, despite burgeoning empirical evidence, person-centered appeal, and the potential to improve well-being and prevent suicide.