Youth Suicide Prevention

About Suicide

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people aged 10 to 24. Data from the Tennessee Department of Health shows that one of the most notable seasonal trends in suicidality among youth is the increase in emergency department visits for suicidal behavior during the “back-to-school” months. In response to this, TDH’s Suicide Prevention Program works to:

  • Raise community awareness of the various school-related risk factors contributing to seasonal trend upticks in suicidality among youth.
  • Encourage help-seeking behaviors among middle and high school students in Tennessee.
  • Empower students, parents, and teachers to strengthen protective factors and safety planning practices.

2024 Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign - English

2024 Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign - Espanol

Understanding Youth Suicide

The following are risk factors and warning signs that may indicate that a young person may be at risk for or considering suicide:

  • School-related risk factors:
    • Social and academic stress
    • Bullying
    • Reduced sleep
    • School-based discrimination
    • Death of other students by suicide
    • Access to lethal means/substances
    • Abuse by school staff and/or due to academic performance
  • Warning signs of suicide among youth:
    • Making suicidal statements.
    • Being preoccupied with death in conversation, writing, or drawing.
    • Giving away belongings.
    • Withdrawing from friends and family.
    • Having aggressive or hostile behavior
    • Neglecting personal appearance.
    • Running away from home.
    • Risk-taking behavior, such as reckless driving or being sexually promiscuous.
    • A change in personality (such as from upbeat to quiet)
    • Lack of engagement towards school/sudden drop in grades
    • Feeling sad, empty, or tearful nearly every day.
    • Loss of interest in activities that were enjoyed in the past.
    • Changes in eating and sleeping habits.
    • Difficulty thinking and concentrating.
    • Complaints of continued boredom.
    • Complaints of headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue with no actual physical problems.
    • Expressions of guilt and/or not allowing anyone to give him or her praise or rewards

Youth Suicide Prevention Programming

  • Sources of Strength
    • Sources of Strength is an evidence-based program supported and implemented by the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) within the state of Tennessee to prevent youth suicide, bullying, substance abuse, and violence among our state’s children, teens, and young adults. The program is offered through a partnership with the TDH. TSPN is marketing the program to youth-serving agencies (schools, church youth groups, community centers, etc.) in rural areas of Tennessee.
    • For more information: https://tspn.org/sources-of-strength
  • Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
    • TSPN receives funding from the TDH to identify and support people at risk for suicide by increasing education through Gatekeeper training, including Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and referrals to Be The One. Some trainings are free while others have fees.
    • For more information: https://tspn.org/events-training

Additional Resources