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Parent Resources

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide: Browse crisis resources for parents. You will find apps and additional resources.

How to Help Someone Online: From time to time you may encounter a person who is expressing thoughts of suicide on your social media sites. If someone you know online is showing any of these warning signs, it is important that you post a message encouraging them to call the Lifeline. If you are friends with the person in real life or know where the person is, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) so that you can talk to a crisis counselor.

 

American Psychological Association Resources: The American Psychological Association provides advice on talking to teens about suicide.

 

Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips for Parents & Educators: A short article posted by the National Association of School Psychologists regarding suicide risk factors, warning signs, guidelines for what to do, and resiliency factors.

 

Teen Suicide Prevention: In this video created by Mayo Clinic, teens describe common signs that a teen is considering suicide and provide encouragement for communicating directly and immediately for support and safety. It also includes suggestions for what to say to a teen who may be at risk for suicide and ways to keep them safe.

 

988: A Direct link to Mental Health and Behavioral Health: This is a new resource for students and families. On July 16, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) formally designated 988 as a nationwide three-digit phone number for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services.

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. By dialing 1-800-TALK (8255), the call is routed to the nearest crisis center in our national network of more than 150 crisis centers. The Lifeline’s national network of local crisis centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals day and night.  1-800-273-8255.

 

Boys Town National Hotline: The Boys Town National Hotline provides support to youth and parents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is staffed by highly trained counselors, and is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology. 1-800-448-3000.

 

Crisis Text Line: Text “START” to 741-741 to text with a crisis counselor. The Crisis Text Line is similar to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and other hotlines, but allows those in crisis to text in rather than call. It operates 24 hours a day.

 

Re:Solve Help Line: Re:Solve Crisis Network provides round-the-clock, mental health crisis intervention and stabilization services for residents of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania. 1-888-769-8226 (7-YOU-CAN) 

 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has been at the forefront of a wide  range of suicide prevention initiatives – each designed to reduce loss of life from  suicide. They are investing in groundbreaking research, new educational campaigns, innovative demonstration projects and critical policy work. And they are expanding their assistance to people, whose lives have been affected by suicide, reaching out to offer support and offering opportunities to become involved in prevention. Western PA Chapter Contact: Jennifer Sikora; Phone Number: (412-260-0789); E-mail: westernpa@afsp.org

 

Child and Adolescent Service System Program: CASSP - Children's Behavioral Health: A comprehensive system of care for children and adolescents with behavioral health needs and their families. 

 

Prevent Suicide PA: The Pennsylvania Adult/Older Adult Suicide Prevention Coalition (PAOASPC) and the Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative (PAYSPI) have merged to form a new organization called Prevent Suicide PA.  Prevent Suicide PA will address suicide prevention across the lifespan.  The organization's goal is to prevent suicide in Pennsylvania through education, training, awareness, reducing stigma, and involving those with lived experience (Loss and Attempt Survivors).

 

Services for Teens At Risk (STAR Center): Services for Teens At Risk (STAR-Center) is a comprehensive research, treatment, and training center. Funded by the State of Pennsylvania’s General Assembly in 1986 to address adolescent suicide and depression, the program provides individual assessment and treatment to teens that are experiencing depression and suicidality. They also provide community education services about depression and suicidality to schools, social service agencies, churches and other organizations that request them.

 

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education: SAVE was one of the nation’s first organizations dedicated to the prevention of suicide. Our work is based on the foundation and belief that suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide. Through raising public awareness, educating communities, and equipping every person with the right tools, we know we can SAVE lives.

 

The Jason Foundation: The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is dedicated to the prevention of the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs that equip young people, educators/youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth.  

The National Children’s Traumatic Stress Network: The National Children’s Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) is an excellent resource for handouts and online courses related to various types of trauma and grief.  It has resources for parents, students and professionals alike.