Preventing adolescent suicide: Recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, program developers, and researchers

Abstract

For much of the past decade, suicide has been the second leading cause of death for adolescents in the United States, and suicide rates among adolescents have been rising for the last 15 years. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents were common before COVID-19 and have become an increasing public health priority in the pandemic's wake. In this "Social Policy Report," we review evidence for suicide prevention strategies designed to address these rising trends. We make recommendations for federal, state, and local policymakers and practitioners; program developers in organizations that design and implement programming for youth; and academic and nonacademic researchers. Where research evidence is strong, we suggest legislation, funding, and implementation. In areas where gaps exist: (a) research on economic policies for adolescents is nonexistent; (b) while mental health care access is a barrier, we do not know how to reduce youth suicide rates via changing care