Suicide is the second leading cause of death of adolescents 15 to 19 years old, and it affects young people from all socio-economic and racial groups. There is an identified need for more experiential training of health care providers and more effective use of nurses at all levels of training. Youth suicide is preventable.
Alliance to Prevent Youth Suicide - Mission and Vision
Our mission is to prevent youth suicide through evidence-based behavioral screening, support, and interventions, amplifying the diverse voices of youth, promoting resilience, and advocating for decreased stigma and improved access to mental health services.
We aim to promote safety for youth at-risk for suicide by:
- Providing pediatric-focused advanced practice nurses with the knowledge and skills to optimize prevention, screening, intervention, management, support, and referral of youth struggling with suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Promoting suicide prevention strategies that increase awareness and access to mental health supports, increase safety, and decrease access to lethal means
- Collaborating with strategic partners to increase awareness and build resiliency, both in the home and in the community.