This week’s newsletter provides a plethora of suicide prevention information and resources relevant to groups of youth for whom suicide prevention and intervention is of particular importance. We hope that our readers will retain this information in their files for potential future reference—both with respect to the resources for special populations but also for those applicable to the general population at large.
Even in the best of times, the holidays are a time of heightened concern about mental health challenges and this year, with ongoing social constraints, family hardships, and individual and interpersonal stressors associated with the pandemic, sensitivity to the pressures and awareness of potential resources for those vulnerable and at-risk is of obvious importance.
While screening for vulnerability to emotional turmoil is a relevant primary care concern across all sectors of the population at all times of the year, awareness and inquiry about potential risks is particularly warranted for youth with unique sociocultural attributes in challenging times. Among the groups of concern are youth with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, those with prior suicidal behavior and those exposed to losses of friends and loved ones from suicide, youth with disabilities and chronic health conditions, those from institutionally and economically marginalized ethnic communities, and youth with non-mainstream sexual preference and identity issues.
Following are resources distributed to the community by the San Diego County Office of Education.
| Suicide Prevention Guide for High Priority Youth Groups | ||||
| PRIORITY GROUP | RESOURCE NAME | DESCRIPTION | WEBSITE | |
| Attempt Survivors | Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Attempt Survivors | Coping with the deep hurt after surviving a suicide attempt and finding hope is possible. The Lifeline is available for support, 24/7. | https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/attempt-survivors/ | |
| After a Suicide Attempt: A Guide for Family and Friends | This guide includes information on what will happen at the hospital, patient rights and how you can help and support with a list of resources. | http://www.togethertolive.ca/sites/default/files/waterloo_after_a_suicide_attempt_for_family.pdf | ||
| SAMHSA: After an Attempt | A guide for taking care of your family members after treatment in the emergency department. | https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma18-4357eng.pdf | ||
| Suicide Prevention Resource Center | Resources for Suicide Attempt Survivors and Their Families and Friends. | http://www.sprc.org/livedexperience/tool/resources-suicide-attempt-survivors-their-families-friends | ||
| Youth Bereaved by Suicide | Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Loss Survivors | Resources for loss survivors and taking care of self. | https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/loss-survivors/ | |
| American Association of Suicidology | Helping survivors of suicide through various tools and resources. | https://suicidology.org/resources/suicide-loss-survivors/ | ||
| Sibling Survivors of Suicide Loss | The Sibling Survivors of Suicide Loss site aims to provide a safe place for anyone who has lost a sister or brother to suicide. It’s a place to share memories, discuss your feelings and experiences, and to share photos. It’s a place to connect with others who also miss their sister or brother. | http://www.siblingsurvivors.com/ | ||
| American Foundation for Suicide Prevention | Provides resources on healing conversations, support groups and provides a Children, Teens and Suicide Loss booklet. | https://afsp.org/ive-lost-someone | ||
| Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors | Offers support, resources and connection with others who have experienced loss. | https://allianceofhope.org/ | ||
|
Youth with Mental Health Disorders |
National Alliance on Mental Illness | NAMI Helpline at 800-950-NAMI. | https://nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Common-with-Mental-Illness/Risk-of-Suicide | |
| National Institute of Mental Health | Suicide Prevention & Mental Health information and resources | https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/index.shtml | ||
| Active Minds | Through education, research, advocacy, and a focus on young adults ages 14–25, Active Minds is opening up the conversation about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in the United States. | https://www.activeminds.org/ | ||
| Each Mind Matters | Provides mental health information and resources as well as personal stories. | www.eachmindmatters.org or www.sanamente.org | ||
| Its Up To Us | Resources for young adults to find help, help others and increase mental health literacy. | https://up2sd.org/young-adults/ | ||
| Youth with Substance Use Disorders | Reach Out | Website for young people that includes information and resources for youth on alcohol, drugs and addiction. | https://au.reachout.com/explore-articles?page=1&tags=Alcohol%20and%20drugs , | |
| Jack.org | You and Substance Use: Stuff to think about and ways to make changes. | https://jack.org/getattachment/94e670e4-077f-4e04-9c73-fdae7d91163e/Be-There-Poster-1-1-1-1.aspx | ||
| Half of Us | A youth oriented site that includes information on dealing with addiction and getting help. | http://www.halfofus.com/condition/addiction/ | ||
| Youth with Disabilities | Suicide Prevention Resource Center | Populations: This webpage provides information and prevention resources for people with disabilities. | https://www.sprc.org/populations/people-physical-health-problems-or-disabilities | |
| National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | Resources for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing Loss. | https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/for-deaf-hard-of-hearing/ | ||
| LGBTQ.. | Trevor Project | The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. | https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ | |
| Be True and Be You: A Basic Mental Health Guide for LGBTQ+ Youth | Each Mind Matters collaborated with a strategic council of LGBTQ+, community leaders and stakeholders to create mental health materials for youth/young and older adults, and providers working with Latinx youth. | https://emmresourcecenter.org/resources/be-true-and-be-you-basic-guide-lgbtq-youth | ||
| TrevorLifeLine: 866-488-7386 | TrevorLifeline is a crisis intervention and suicide prevention phone service avialable 24/7/365. | https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/ | ||
| Trevor Text: Text “START” to 678678 | TrevorText is a confidential text messaging with a Trevor counselor, available 24/7/365. | https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/ | ||
| Trevor Chat | TrevorChat is a confidential online instant messaging with a Trevor counselor, available 24/7. | https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/ | ||
| Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 | Trans Lifeline is a hotline staffed by transgender people in crisis from struggling with transgender identity to thoughts of self-harm. 7 days/wk from 8:00am-2:00am | https://www.translifeline.org | ||
| Blackline: 800-604-5841 | Blackline is a24x7 hotline geared toward Black, Brown, Native, & Muslim LGBT individuals | https://www.callblackline.com | ||
| NASP | The National Association of School Psychologists list of organizations supporting LGBTQ Youth | https://www.nasponline.org/lgbtq | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | Indian Health Services: Suicide Prevention and Care Program | The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives with specific resources for American Indians and Alaska Natives. | https://www.ihs.gov/suicideprevention/ | |
| American Indians Seven Generations Prevent Suicide video | Young American Indian men, especially in the Northern Plains, face a greater challenge with suicide than other groups. However, they have the strength of generations to help them overcome their pain and silence, the stigma, and to seek help. Learn more about the spirit of American Indian men. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW2JH5–KII&feature=youtu.be | ||
| National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | Native Americans: How to take care of yourself. | https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/native-americans/ | ||
| We R Native | Wanting to End Your Life: Articles and resources. | https://www.wernative.org/articles/wanting-to-end-your-life | ||
| Alaskan Natives: Heart of the Land Prevent Suicide Video | Suicide greatly impacts young men living in Alaska. Connections to their ancestors and traditions can help guide them to overcome their pain, silence, the stigma and to seek help. Heart of the Land includes location shooting from the Alaskan cities of Juneau, Kotzebue, and Anchorage. In addition, representation in the video includes the Inupiaq, Tlingit, Tshimshian, Unangan, Athabascan, Aleut and Yupik Tribes. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-rASzoqxhY&feature=youtu.be | ||
Created by the SDCOE Student Wellness Positive School Climate Department-September 2020