We can all play a part in supporting youth mental wellbeing, by offering a kind gesture, or a listening ear.  Don't dismiss their concerns, but offer empathy and support.

Sometimes, though, youth may need supports beyond the interpersonal and community connections in their lives.  The programs listed below are free to all New Jerseyans and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year:

• The 2ND FLOOR Youth Helpline (1-888-222-2228) is a confidential helpline for NJ youth and young adults, between the ages of 10 and 24.  Youth can call, text, or visit the comprehensive message board to connect to solutions to their problems.
  
  
• The NJ Suicide Prevention Hopeline (1-855-654-6735) has specialists available who offer counseling and support over the phone, via text or through a dedicated web chat.
  
  
• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988) provides confidential support for people during a mental health emergency.  The Lifeline also offers specific services to groups such as youth, loss survivors, veterans and members of the LGBTQIA+ community to help them cope with suicidal thoughts and ideation.

When a child is facing challenges to their functioning and well-being, finding the right services and support can be overwhelming. 

If you're a parent, and you're concerned about your child, you can access support from PerformCARE for children and youth who are not in crisis by visiting https://www.performcarenj.org/.  You can also call 1-877-652-7624 as a single point of entry for any of your child's behavioral or emotional health needs.

The PerformCARE website has resources available to help families navigate New Jersey's network of mental health services and supports for youth up to age 21.

To learn more, check out the below video resources:

Children's System of Care Public Service Announcement (intended for parents):  
English and Spanish  

Youth Suicide Prevention Public Service Announcement (intended for youth):  
English and Spanish  

Available in each county 24-hours a day, seven-days a week to individuals in emotional crisis who require immediate attention; an appointment is not necessary.  For information visit the DHS Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services' website at www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/home/hotlines/MH_Screening_Centers.pdf.

To access Children’s System of Care (CSOC) Mobile Response Stabilization Services (MRSS), please call 1-877-652-7624. PerformCare may authorize MRSS to come to your home within one hour of notification to provide face-to-face crisis stabilization and service referral. The goal is to stabilize behavior and keep your child at home.  MRSS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can offer up to eight weeks of stabilization services.

You can also view a listing of the Crisis/Screening Centers in New Jersey to learn where the local screening center is located in your county.

The Traumatic Loss Coalition aims to prevent suicide and provide trauma response assistance to schools following a suicide, homicide, or death from accident or illness.

Functioning as an interactive, statewide network, TLC offers collaboration opportunities and support to professionals working with school-age youth via education, training, consultation and coalition-building to:

• reduce suicide attempts, suicide completions, and to promote recovery of persons affected by suicide; and,
• provide guidance and support in the response to a traumatic event

For more information and support related to suicide prevention through the TLC, visit https://ubhc.rutgers.edu/education/trauma-loss-coalition/suicide-awareness.xml 

Established within the Department of Children and Families, the New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council (Council) is comprised of appointed New Jersey residents and representatives from state government.  The New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council examines existing needs and services and makes recommendations for youth suicide reporting, prevention and intervention. It advises the development of regulations pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 30:9A-25 et seq.

For more information related to the council, email dcf-suicide.prevention@dcf.nj.gov  

In accordance with N.J. Statute. 30:9A-24 – a mechanism for professionals to statistically report non-identifying demographic information regarding a student or youth who has attempted or died by suicide is available.  You can read the protocols for reporting youth suicide, or submit a report.

For more information about youth suicide statistics in New Jersey, read DCF's Youth Suicide Data Brief.