Depression / Suicide
Most children and teens experience feelings of sadness, but depression is different. Children and teens who are depressed may have difficulty in school, at home and with peers. If left untreated, depression may lead to high risk behaviors, use of drugs or alcohol and even suicide. And depression can impact school performance. Find out more about depression and suicide.
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The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is more than just an easy-to-remember number – it’s a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis.
Call or Text: 988
Chat: 988lifeline.org
SAMHSA, a federal government website, is a resource of general information about mental health and substance abuse issues.
The Schools Suicide Prevention Guide outlines best practices for school districts in New York State (NYS), to help protect the health and safety of all students and to guide school districts in developing policies and procedures to prevent, assess the risk of, intervene, and respond to youth suicidal behavior.
The Psychological First Aid brochure for teachers and students. "Listen, Protect, Connect" - Model & Teach the steps of PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID for students after a disaster, school crisis, or emergency. These steps can help students bounce back more quickly.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) has produced After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools to assist schools in the aftermath of a suicide (or other death) in the school community.
SAMHSA a Federal government website is a resource of general information about mental health and substance abuse issues.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry website widely distributes information here, in an effort to promote an understanding of mental illnesses and remove the stigma associated with them; advance efforts in prevention of mental illnesses and assure proper treatment and access to services for children and adolescents.
SPRC is the nation’s only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. SPRC provides technical assistance, training, and materials to increase the knowledge and expertise of suicide prevention practitioners and other professionals serving people at risk for suicide.
The Relationship between Bullying and Suicide document provides concrete, action-oriented information based on the latest science to help you improve your schools’ understanding of and ability to prevent and respond to the problem of bullying and suicide-related behavior.
The Jed Foundation (JED) protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today…and tomorrow.
MHANYS works to end the stigma against mental illness and promotes mental health wellness in New York State. MHANYS achieves this through training, education, advocacy and policy, community-based partnership programming, and by connecting individuals and families to help.
Suicide Risks: The WARNING SIGNS - Parent Flyer.
Suicide Risks: The WARNING SIGNS - Student Flyer.
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness is a mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
Suicide: Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention - is designed to support pediatric health clinicians in advancing equitable youth suicide prevention strategies in all settings where youth live, learn, work, and spend time.
The fact sheets below were developed by SAMHSA in collaboration with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Psychological Association, and American Psychiatric Association. The fact sheets provide the latest scientific information about symptoms and a range of treatment options, as well as peer support groups and services.
Young Adult Fact Sheets
Use these fact sheets to help young adults understand their mental health condition, as well as the treatment and support options available to them:
- Understanding-anxiety-disorders: For Young Adults
- Understanding-Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: For Young Adults
- Understanding Bipolar Disorder: For Young Adults
- Understanding-depression: For Young Adults
- Understanding First Episode Psychosis: For Young Adults
- Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: For Young Adults
Click Here for more Family Education Materials provided by SAMHSA.