Introduction to the Suicide Prevention Research Prioritization Task Force special supplement: the topic experts.

Despite continued public and private research investments in suicide prevention over the past several decades, there is no evidence of an overall decrease in suicide deaths or attempts. The Research Prioritization Task Force (RPTF) has developed the first U.S. research prioritization plan aimed at producing the knowledge necessary to substantially reduce the national suicide burden using multiple inputs and work products. A critical step in the process was engaging several types of expert research groups to consider how the diverse field of suicide prevention could accomplish this task. In 2012, two of these groups were asked to consider the state of the science associated with 12 potentially burden-reducing research goals selected by the RPTF from a national stakeholder survey. These groups identified research challenges and roadblocks and proposed research pathways for these 12 goals. This special supplement includes summaries of that work as well as specific background activities that prepared key information (e.g., surveillance resources, literature review quality, models of interventions) developed by RPTF staff and supplied to these expert groups. The NIH and CDC, as federal supporters of this supplement, are pleased to share these resources with the field.