In 2021, suicide was the leading cause of death among South Dakota youth and young adults ages 10 to 29 years old. Parents can play a pivotal role in preventing this. Watch for the signs, and be the one who saves a life.
The resources below offer information about suicide, training for parents, and additional resources available for parents of youth and young adults.
Training for Parents
- NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps audience members learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition.
- Youth Mental Health First Aid reviews the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents ages 12-18. This 8-hour course emphasizes the importance of early intervention and covers how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge.
- The ASIST workshop is for anyone who wants to feel more comfortable, confident, and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Over one million people have participated in this two-day, highly interactive, practical, practice-oriented workshop. Watch a video about ASIST.
- QPR is a one to two-hour training that teaches 3 simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR to help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.
- Find more information and to request a training from South Dakota Suicide Prevention.
Additional Resources
- Jason Foundation Parent Resource Program - This website includes important information about suicide and how you as a parent or guardian can help prevent youth suicide. It contains a video of a parent and community seminar about suicide prevention strategies.
- Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - This website's parent section provides information to help you talk with your teens about suicide or the death of a friend by suicide.
- Information Sheets - Cómo pueden los padres OBSERVAR ESCUCHAR AYUDAR (How Parents Can LOOK LISTEN AND HELP: Youth Suicide Is Preventable) - Oregon Youth Suicide Prevention Program. This Spanish-language webpage provides how you can recognize changes in your child's behavior to help you indicate he or she is at risk of depression or suicide. It also outlines how you can intervene to prevent a crisis and connect your child with resources
- Suicide Prevention: Facts for Parents - This information sheet focuses on suicide among high school students and how parents and high schools can help prevent it.