Resources & Educational Opportunities

Suicide affects people of all backgrounds. Although the prevalence of mental health disorders and rates of suicide increase as children grow older, even young children express thoughts of suicide and have died by suicide.

However, there is hope. Suicide is preventable, help is available, and resilience and recovery are possible.

Most people who face adversity, mental illness, and other challenges — even those in high-risk groups — do not die by suicide.
There are actions that people can take to help prevent suicide.
Prevention works. Effective programs and services exist.
Treatment is effective for those who are experiencing depression, emotional distress, or a crisis.

There are lots of ways we can help youth get support when they need it. Early identification, timely treatment and support from families, schools, friends and communities play key roles in suicide prevention.

ASPIRES Resources

Center for Suicide Prevention and Research

Suicide Prevention Resources

If you think your child has thought about ending their life, or if you recently lost a loved one to suicide, these resources and support communities may offer support.

Kids Mental Health Foundation: Resources for Suicide Prevention

Talking with kids about suicide is important. Learn about how to talk to kids about suicide, the myths surrounding suicide and ways to build resiliency to protect kids.

ASPIRES Webinar Series

The ASPIRES Center aims to accelerate delivery of youth suicide prevention interventions and services in clinical and community settings to reduce the rate of youth suicide. Whether you are new or established in your field, this quarterly webinar series will provide you with information on innovative suicide prevention research strategies in real-world, practice-based settings.

For Parents and Families: Suicidal Behaviors - Warning Signs, Risk Factors, Protective Factors, Treatment and Seeking Help

Suicide is largely preventable. Suicide attempts are far more common than deaths by suicide, but any suicidal behavior is serious and can have lasting consequences. Learn about warning signs, when and how to seek help, and effective treatment options.

For Parents and Families: Talking to Kids About Suicide

Asking a child directly about suicidal thoughts is the best way a parent can help their child open up about their emotions. Even if children are not struggling with suicide or depression, a good opportunity to talk about suicide or mental health issues is when things are going well.

For Schools, Community Organizations, Families and More: Free Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program Trainings

The Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children’s can help you and your organization use strategies that research shows help prevent suicide. Trainings are offered for students, school staff, community organizations, counselors, families, other groups and individuals.

Free Guide to Youth Suicide Prevention

Youth Suicide Prevention and Intervention: Best Practices and Policy Implications is a free, open-access book edited by John Ackerman, PhD, and Lisa Horowitz, PhD, MPH, that reviews current research and prevention practices related to the public health crisis of youth suicide. This SpringerBriefs series volume has been shared by national partners and accessed over 20,000 times.

Suicide Reporting Guidelines

Researchers have aimed to improve how journalists report on suicide. Guidelines emphasize promoting a positive narrative, highlighting practical prevention strategies and informing the community on what to look out for and how to help youth navigate emotional crises.

Teenage Girl Smiling and Looking at Her Cell Phone

Additional Resources

Click here to find a list of additional resources from local, state and national organizations.