The purpose of this program is to support states and tribes with implementing youth¹ suicide prevention² and early intervention³ strategies in schools⁴, educational institutions, juvenile justice systems, substance use programs, mental health programs, foster care systems, and other child and youth-serving organizations. It is expected that this program will: (1) increase the number of youth-serving organizations who are able to identify and work with youth at risk of suicide; (2) increase the capacity of clinical service providers to assess, manage, and treat youth at risk of suicide; and (3) improve the continuity of care and follow-up of youth identified to be at risk for suicide, including those who have been discharged from emergency department and inpatient psychiatric units.

SAMHSA expects states and tribes to make suicide prevention a core priority in statewide or tribal youth-serving systems. Efforts must include a linkage with health care programs and systems committed to making suicide prevention a core priority through implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Goal 8 (promote suicide prevention as a core component of health care services) and Goal 9 (promote and implement effective clinical and professional practices for assessing and treating those identified as being at risk for suicidal behaviors)⁵.

¹ The term “youth” means individuals who are between 10 and 24 years of age.

² “Prevention” means a strategy or approach that reduces the likelihood or risk of onset, or delays the onset, of adverse health problems that have been known to lead to suicide.

³ “Early intervention” means a strategy or approach that is intended to prevent an outcome or to alter the course of an existing condition.

⁴ “Schools” means an elementary school or a secondary school as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1969 [20 U.S.C. 7801].

⁵ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK109910/