Supporting Texas Youth: Suicide Prevention Month 2025 

September is Suicide Prevention Month; a time to raise awareness, share resources, and take action to protect the mental health of young Texans. 

Understanding the Crisis: Youth Suicide in Texas 

Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people in Texas. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, suicide rates among youth under 25 have steadily increased over the past two decades. In 2020 alone, the youth suicide rate in Texas reached nearly 7 deaths per 100,000, with higher rates among White Non-Hispanic and Hispanic youth compared to other groups.

The dark purple and teal Suicide Awareness Ribbon stretches across a light purple backdrop in the shape of a heart.

Key Contributing Factors 

  • Mental Health Disorders: Depression, anxiety, and trauma are major risk factors. 
  • Access to Lethal Means: Homes with unlocked firearms or medications increase risk. 
  • Social Isolation: Lack of connection to peers or trusted adults. 
  • Bullying and Discrimination: Especially among populations prone to health disparities LGBTQ+ youth and youth of color according to the CDC. 
  • Substance Use: Alcohol and drug use can exacerbate suicidal thoughts. 

Understanding these causes helps youth-serving adults identify warning signs and intervene early. Learn more about Risk and Protective Factors for Suicide | Suicide Prevention | CDC.

Recognizing the Warning Signs 

A flier about the warning signs of suicide.

Youth may not always verbalize suicidal thoughts. Here are some signs to watch for: 

  • Withdrawal from friends and activities. 
  • Changes in eating or sleeping habits. 
  • Expressing hopelessness or feeling like a burden. 
  • Giving away possessions; saying goodbye to friends and family. 
  • Sudden mood improvements that may mask plans for harm after a period of depression. 

 TYAN encourages adults to trust their instincts. If something feels off, it’s worth checking in. Visit the National Institute of Mental Health page on warning signs for more information.

TYAN Community Partners Doing Hard Work 

Society of Royals, a TYAN Community Partner for the past three years, services youth between the ages of 5-25 years old. They strive to counter the effects of self-hate, neglect, heartache and general growing pains of development that society brings by having a primary focus on building the inner self, ending suicide, stopping bullying, showing kindness, and giving.  

Learn more about their work and resources available at societyofroyals.org. 

Texas Youth Mental Health Network Coalition, a collaborative effort dedicated to improving the mental well-being of young people across Texas. Their mission is to equip youth with the tools, support, and resources needed to navigate life’s challenges through mental health education, mentorship, life skills training, and leadership development. 

Check out their resources including mental health guides: Resources & Support – Texas Youth Mental Health Network. 

Resources for Trusted Adults 

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a robust suite of suicide prevention tools: 

Visit HHSC’s Suicide Prevention pages today for downloadable resources and training registration. 

Free Suicide Prevention Trainings 

TYAN recommends these free, evidence-based training courses for adults working with young people: 

  1. AS+K? About Suicide to Save a Life
  • Duration: 1.5–4 hours 
  • Format: Online or in-person 
  • Focus: Risk factors, warning signs, intervention strategies 
  • Available in Spanish 
  1. Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM)
  • Duration: 1–3 hours 
  • Format: Online 
  • Focus: Reducing access to firearms and medications 
  1. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
  • Youth MHFA for adults working with youth 
  • Teen MHFA for students in grades 10–12 
  • More info3 
  • These training courses are designed to empower adults to act confidently and compassionately. 
  1. Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative (TxSPC)
  • Builds local coalitions 
  • Offers training and technical assistance 
  • Promotes public health approaches to suicide prevention 
  1. Teen Lifeline Collective
  • Connects youth and families to vet mental health providers 
  • Advocates for faster access to care 

These organizations are vital allies in the fight against youth suicide. 

Crisis Hotlines and Support Services 

If you or a young person is in crisis, help is available 24/7: 

Download the Texas Youth Suicide Prevention Flyer today! 

Encourage youth to save these numbers in their phones and share them with friends. 

Action Steps for Caring Adults 

Here’s how you can make a difference this September: 

  • Participate in Training: Choose one of the free programs listed above. 
  • Share Resources: Post flyers, wallet cards, and hotline info in your workspace. 
  • Host a Conversation: Create safe spaces for youth to talk about mental health. 

Suicide prevention is not just a campaign, it’s a commitment. As caring adults, you can be the first line of defense. Your presence, your words, and your actions can change and save lives. 

TYAN is here to support you. Let’s work together to ensure every young Texan knows they are valued, supported, and never alone. 

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BECOME A

COMMUNITY PARTNER

Organizations interested in starting or expanding their youth-adult partnerships can apply to be a Community Partner. As a Community Partner, organizations can access to exclusive materials, technical support, funding, and more!