Module 4 > Applying the technical package > Evaluation and learning
We often spend time upfront in developing strategies, and it’s just as important to evaluate the impact and learn from what we implement on an ongoing basis. Evaluating what works and doesn’t work to address risk factors, reinforce protective factors, and decrease rates of self-harm and suicide is a critical component of a public health approach to preventing suicide. As you develop strategies to reflect your community’s experiences, assets, and needs, evaluating your local efforts can help your community reflect and adapt, expand the evidence base for suicide prevention, and inspire other communities to innovate. While evaluators often emphasize quantitative indicators, qualitative data can provide richness and details that might not show up in the numbers, such as insights around why a strategy does or doesn’t work.
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Visualizations like theories of change and logic models can help clarify how inputs, activities, and outputs connect to the outcomes we expect in the short, medium, and long term. They can also help in understanding how multiple efforts come together to build a comprehensive approach to preventing suicide and how strategies might connect and address other public health outcomes. Development of a theory of change or logic model can support both strategy development and evaluation. RAND Corporation’s Suicide Prevention Evaluation Toolkit offers more guidance on logic models and provides a template to create your own logic model (page 39).
Sample theories of change and logic models:
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2015 Massachusetts Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention logic model (page 30) - An initiative of the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention, working in collaboration with the Department of Public Health and the Department of Mental Health.
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2017 Colorado Maternal and Child Health Program Suicide and Bullying Prevention Logic Model - A project of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to reduce suicide and bullying among youth ages 10 to 19 in partnership with local public health agencies, schools, youth-serving organizations, and youth advisors.
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2016 Resilience Grows Here Theory of Change - A mental health initiative launched by the local health department and community partners in East Granby, CT to connect veterans, active duty military, and their families to each other and the broader community.
Resources for evaluation and learning