Suicide Prevention and Other Traumatic Loss
Suicide is a serious public health problem that causes pain, suffering, and can have a profound effect on the entire community. According to 2019 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 14th leading cause of death in New Jersey and the third leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 24. In comparison to the national average New Jersey continues to have a lower rate of suicide; regardless, suicide remains a priority area to combat within the state. Provided below are resources and information on school requirements for addressing these events and supportive resources for prevention and intervention.
Related Statutes & Regulations
All references below can be found at New Jersey Legislature's Website and at Rutgers School of Law
N.J.S.A. 18A:6-112 | Instruction in suicide prevention for public school teaching staff |
N.J.S.A. 18A:6-113 | Provision for instruction in suicide prevention in school curriculum |
N.J.S.A. 30:9A-13. | Youth suicide prevention program |
N.J.S.A. 30:9A-25 | New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council |
N.J.S.A. 30:9A-26 | Public awareness campaign on youth suicide prevention and intervention |
N.J.S.A. 30:9A-24 | Protocol for Reporting Youth Suicide Attempt or Completion Youth Suicide Reporting Form |
- 2ND Floor Youth Helpline
Call or Text 888-222-2228
24 hours a day - 7 days a week
Accredited by the American Association of Suicidology, 2ND Floor confidentially serves youth and young adults (ages 10-24). Youth who call are assisted with their daily life challenges by professional staff and trained volunteers. - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call, Text or Chat: 988
24 hours a day - 7 days a week - LGBT National Helpline
Call 1-888-843-4564
- American Association of Suicidology
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Suicide: Risk and Protective Factors
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center: Risk and Protective Factors
- The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ youth): Preventing Suicide
- National Association of School Psychologists - Preventing Suicide: Guidelines for Administrators and Crisis Teams
- Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide: Issues and Options Surrounding a Student's Return to School Following a Suicide-Related Absence
- Traumatic Loss Coalition - RUTGERS University Behavioral Health Care: Suicide Awareness, Prevention & Postvention
- NJ Children's System of Care (CSOC)
1-877-652-7624
24 hours a day - 7 days a week
PerformCare helps families access publicly-funded services for New Jersey children with behavioral, emotional, intellectual, developmental, and/or substance use challenges.
PerformCare has been connecting families to services funded by the NJ Division of Children's System of Care since 2009. - Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS)
- Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - Navigating Back to School
- Not My Kid: What Every Parent Should Know
- Survivors of Suicide
- KidsHealth
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) - COVID-19: Family & Educator Resources
- youth.GOV
- Creating Trauma-Informed Systems
- Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting From COVID-19
- High School Toolkit: Building a Mental Health-Friendly Classroom
- Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools
- National Center on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments
- American Association of Suicidology (AAS)
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)
- Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS)
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- U.S. Surgeon General and Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Strategies for Prevention
- National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) - COVID-19: Family & Educator Resources
- Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide - Navigating Back to School
- Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth Program (TLC) at RUTGERS University Behavioral Health Care
The dual mission of the TLC is suicide prevention and trauma response assistance to schools following suicide, homicide and deaths that result from accidents and/or illnesses.
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.
- New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council (NJYSPAC)
Established in the Department of Children and Families is the New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council (Council). The Council is comprised of appointed New Jersey citizens and representatives from several state departments. The purpose of the Council is to examine existing needs and services and make recommendations for youth suicide reporting, prevention and intervention; advise on the content of informational materials to be made available to persons who report attempted or completed suicides; and advise in the development of regulations required pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 30:9A-25 et seq.
For more information related to the council email: CSOC.Director@dcf.nj.gov - New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention State Plan
- New Jersey Department of Children and Families - Youth Suicide Prevention
- New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addictions Services
- New Jersey Department of Health
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Suicide Prevention News & Articles
- Surgeon General
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)