New Youth Suicide Prevention Blueprint Resource Released

Mar 16, 2022

NAMI applauds the release of The Youth Suicide Prevention Blueprint, a practical resource that outlines clinical pathways, community partnerships, and policy recommendations to better identify and support youth at risk for suicide. It is intended to help pediatric health clinicians, policymakers, and advocates in addressing the rising rates of attempted suicide and suicidal thoughts among youth and young adults.

This comprehensive guide was co-authored by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), in collaboration with experts from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and an advisory group of different stakeholders, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10–24 in the U.S. This devastating trend has continued through the COVID-19 pandemic, as youth and young adults grapple with the stressors of a global health crisis. Youth suicide, however, is preventable — if we can address gaps in the mental health care system.

“Suicide is impacting so many families and young people,” said NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. “NAMI has to be a part of ending this epidemic. We cannot ‘judge a book by its cover.’ Many young people are struggling, but you can’t see it when simply looking at them. We need to check in and provide early inventions to prevent these tragedies.”

Blueprint users will find that the document offers both steps at the local level and broader recommendations to policymakers, including:

• Increasing access to affordable, effective mental health care for all youth
• Building a robust mental and behavioral health workforce
• Fostering healthy mental and emotional development in children
• Developing a stronger understanding of current disparities in youth suicide prevention

For more information, read the AAP press release on this topic.