Preventing Teen Suicide

New resources are available for suicide prevention to help adults identify at-risk  teens. Support and prevention efforts are more accessible than ever before.

A free, easy to acquire toolkit is available to the public along with the Lifeline, a toll-free, confidential hotline for suicide prevention.  

Years of successful suicide prevention techniques and at-risk identifying techniques are compiled into the downloadable toolkit.

Check out suicide prevention services online.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) produced toolkit is called, “Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools", and is targeted to everyone from teachers and school administrators to mental health professionals and guidance counselors.

This toolkit not only outlines ways to identify at-risk teens, but also provides guidelines and resources for taking actions to help those teens.

SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde said, “Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents in our nation...Everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention by building supportive communities and reaching out to help someone in crisis. By working together we can all help save lives.”

The toolkit is a result of combining years of effective suicide prevention techniques, and was designed for easy implementation into any high school.

In the toolkit, there are resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) as well as information on community, state and federal programs. The NSPL website also contains valuable information.

Since 2005, the Lifeline has counseled more than three million callers. It’s a 24/7 toll-free and confidential hotline for suicide prevention.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said, “Our young people need to know they can work through tough times and help is available. This new tool kit will help adults identify young people who are struggling and guide them through the challenges they face.”

The Suicide Prevention Toolkit was published on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website June 2012 and is free to the public.