Suicide claims the lives of over 1,300 Pennsylvanians each year – an average of 3.5 lives each day. It is one of the leading causes of death for young people ages 15-24.
Since the 1980s, Pennsylvania has made strong efforts to prevent youth suicide through programs such as the Student Assistance Program (SAP), Services for Teens at Risk (STAR-Center), the Yellow Ribbon Program, and a variety of other approaches in local areas.
In 2001, Pennsylvania developed its own youth suicide prevention plan, based on the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action. One of the goals in the plan is to "promote awareness that youth suicide is a public health problem that is preventable." This web site is one way we are working to achieve that goal.
Note: This web site focuses on Youth Suicide Prevention in Pennsylvania. Information about Pennsylvania's adult and older adult suicide prevention effort is available on the Pennsylvania Recovery and Resiliency web site.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area.
Warning Signs for Suicide
The Pennsylvania Suicide Prevention Initiative is a Public/Private Ongoing Collaborative including: Survivors of Suicide, Statewide & Regional Representatives from Departments of Public Welfare, Health, Education, and Aging, Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission, County MH/MR Administrators Association and several county programs, County CASSP Coordinators, American Trauma Society, The STAR Center, PA Child Death Review Team, PA Protection and Advocacy, PA Psychiatric Society, PA Association of School Social Workers, NAMI of PA, Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Mental Health Association of PA, PIN of PA, PA Del Val NAPNAP, a County Medical Examiner, a City Health Bureau, a State University, a Behavioral Health MCO, Common Roads, Juvenile Detention Center Association of PA, Pennsylvania Community Providers Association, Pennsylvania Council on Children, Youth, and Family Services, Providers and Student Assistance Program Trainers, School Districts, Yellow Ribbon Chapters, Feeling Blue Suicide Prevention Council, multiple county task forces and other grassroots organizations.
