Suicide Prevention for Children and Youth: A Review of the National Literature

Abstract

Each year, about 1,600 youth in the U.S. die by their own hands making suicide the third leading cause of death for children and adolescents. This report summarizes current findings about epidemiology, current trends, risk and protective factors, as well as findings about strategies and programs for suicide prevention and intervention. Specifically highlighted are strategies such as awareness and education, gatekeeper training, screening and assessment, hotlines, means restriction, media education, pharmacological treatment, and cognitive-behavioral treatment and skills training.