September was first declared as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in 2008. Since then, September has been a time to acknowledge those affected by suicide, raise awareness, and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. According to the CDC, each year more than 41,000 individuals die by suicide, leaving behind friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of their loss. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among adults in the U.S. and the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-24 and these rates are increasing.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of helpful resources for parents and caregivers, children and teens, mental health providers, educators and school staff, and policy makers.
Offers information about risk and protective factors as related to suicide and refugee children and adolescents. This fact sheet gives strategies for talking with refugee children and adolescents about suicide.
Provides external resources related to National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Describes how school-age children may feel when struggling with the death of someone close and offers tips on what caregivers can do to help.
Describes how teens may feel when struggling with the death of someone close and offers tips on what caregivers can do to help.
Outlines the feelings of young children struggling with the death of someone meaningful and offers suggestions on what caregivers can do to help.
Offers information on childhood traumatic grief. This fact sheet provides descriptions of childhood traumatic grief, normal or typical grief, and what to do for childhood traumatic grief.
Provides information to parents and caregivers on how to talk to children about a suicide death.
Offers information on suicide, self-harm, and substance abuse prevention and treatment. This website promotes treatments that reduce the risk of serious health and behavioral health problems in youth.