Suicide prevention week runs September 8 to 14.  Suicide is the second leading cause of death among school age youth. However, suicide is preventable. Youth who are contemplating suicide frequently give warning signs of their distress. Parents, teachers, and friends are in a key position to pick up on these signs and get help. Most important is to never take these warning signs lightly or promise to keep them secret. When all adults and students in the school community are committed to making suicide prevention a priority-and are empowered to take the correct actions-we can help youth before they engage in behavior with irreversible consequences (NASP, 2015). 

If you or someone you know is suicidal or in mental health crisis, get help immediately via 911, the national Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or the Crisis Text Line (text Home to 741741).  For more resources on preventing youth suicide, visit our suicide prevention and intervention page or nasponline.org.

Click here to read "Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips for Parents and Educators" or view the infographic below.  Para recursos en español, haga clic aquí.