Preventing Youth Suicide - Key Actions You Can Take

Preventing Youth Suicide - Key Actions You Can Take

By Shawna Sisler, PhD, MS, MA, MAPP, RN, C-PNP-PC & Amee Moreno, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC  
Co-chairs of NAPNAP Partners' Alliance to Prevent Youth Suicide

As we mark Suicide Prevention Month, it's important to acknowledge recent trends and reinforce our commitment to youth prevention strategies. 

While there have been promising declines in youth suicide rates over the last couple of years, the overall scenario remains alarming, underscoring the need for ongoing mental health support in our practices and communities. On the positive side, there have been significant decreases in persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness among students, with particular improvements among Hispanic and Black students in various mental health metrics (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024). However, these gains are overshadowed by increases in school-based violence and safety issues, such as a rise in students being threatened or injured at school and an increase in bullying incidents (CDC, 2024).

In response, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (2024), advocating for a comprehensive, society-wide approach to suicide prevention. This strategy provides actionable recommendations for all levels of government to address existing gaps (NSSP Fact Sheet found here). Additionally, the expansion of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to include Spanish text and chat services enhances accessibility for Spanish-speaking youth.

To support these efforts, the CDC launched innovative programming with its What Works in Schools campaign to help local school districts improve health education, connect students to essential services, and create safer school environments (CDC, 2023). These initiatives are crucial in reversing negative trends and ensuring that youth receive the support they need to thrive.

Key actions you can take:

  • Familiarize yourself with the National Strategy and its recommendations, and support local initiatives that align with the National Strategy's goals.
  • Explore the AAP’s Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention to better equip yourself with strategies to promote equitable interventions and practical approaches for implementing suicide prevention.
  • Share information with your families and community about the 988 Lifeline, including its Spanish-language services and new texting functionality.
  • Contribute significantly to creating inclusive and nurturing spaces for all youth, irrespective of their personal identity, by helping to ensure youth feel valued, protected, and empowered to thrive. Initiatives and organizations, such as the Trevor Project, continue to play powerful roles in preventing suicide among LGBTQ+ populations.
  • Encourage schools/workplaces to incorporate suicide prevention training or connect them with resources like the CDC’s What Works in Schools and the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention’s After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools.

 

References