Youth Suicide Prevention

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Learn more. 

This report (PDF, 33 pages) is the first of its kind to exclusively explore the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth who are multiracial. The report provides within-group findings among multiracial LGBTQ+ youth to highlight different experiences among multiracial LGBTQ+ youth. Learn more.  ...

This page discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), a major predictor of suicidal thoughts and behavior, among college and university students. A collection of resources (PDF, 1 page) for students who self-injure is provided in addition to an outline of the roles that students, administrators, ...

This page provides data and resources on the increasing racial disparities related to overdose death among Black and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people, as compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Findings reveal that Black people 15–24 years old experienced the largest rate increase (86 percent) compared with changes seen in other ...

This film, which premiered in June 2022, gives voice to the experiences of young people who struggle with mental health challenges and focuses on the importance of awareness and empathy. The television documentary is directed by Ken Burns and is available on PBS. Learn more. 

The Department of Education (ED) recently launched the National Parents and Families Engagement Council (the Council) to facilitate strong and effective relationships between schools and parents, families, and caregivers. The Council consists of parent, family, or caregiver representatives from national organizations who will work with the Department to discuss how ...

This brief provides the context, definitions, and benefits of gender-affirming care and explores how anti-LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or questioning) health policies harm LGBTQ+ youth. The authors advocate that gender-affirming care—i.e., developmentally appropriate supports shown to reduce anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in young transgender and gender-diverse people—is ...

This factsheet (PDF, 15 pages) helps foster parents learn about LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and other diverse identities and expressions, including Two-Spirit) youth in the child welfare system, the unique risks they face, and the important role that foster parents can play in reducing those risks. The factsheet ...

This fact sheet presents statistics on increased risks for LGBTQ youth and provides information on how child welfare systems can avoid harmful practices and use healthy approaches when working with LGBTQ children and youth. Learn more.  

This resource (PDF, 2 pages) provides information on gender-affirming care, what it looks like, why it matters, and offers additional resources related to transgender and gender diverse children and adolescents. A glossary of common terms to know when providing gender-affirming care is also included. Learn more (PDF, 2 pages).   ...