The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Lehigh County aims to bring meaningful information, data, helpful tools, and resources to the community to help lower the rate of suicide among youth in Lehigh County.
Suicide and suicidal behavior among youth and young adults is a major public health crisis.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people 10-24 years of age in the United States.
In 2022, 3.4 million adolescents ages 12-17 had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year, 1.7 million made suicide plans and 953,000 attempted suicide according to SAMHSA data.
The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth ages 13–24. Its website has information about the signs of suicide and a way to connect online with other LGBTQ+ youth. The Trevor Helpline is a 24-hour toll-free suicide hotline at 1-866-488-7386.
TrevorChat: is for online crisis chat 6 hours a day. Trevor Text is for texting on Fridays late afternoon to early evening. Text “TREVOR” to 678-678.
Crisis Text Line: The Crisis Text Line offers 24/7 emotional support and information support to teens in any type of crisis, including suicide, by trained volunteers via texting. You can text with a trained specialist 24 hours a day. Text HOME to 741741
Teen Line: Teen Line provides support, resources, and hope to young people through a hotline of professionally trained teen counselors, and outreach programs that de-stigmatize and normalize mental health. Call 800-852-8336 Nationwide (6 PM – 10 PM PST) or Text TEEN to 839863 (6 PM – 10 PM PST). The teen line also has a message board, email, a blog, information, and resources.
Your Life Your Voice: This site offers four ways to get help – youth can talk counselors 24/7, they can chat Monday – Friday from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., text from 4–1 a.m. (CST), or send an email. There are tips on coping skills, dealing with grief, and many other important topics, a bulletin board, and videos.
Give Me Shelter: Suicide is a film to promote awareness about complex issues related to youth suicide and to highlight the important work carried out by LVHN and the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Lehigh Valley in suicide prevention.
My Ascension: My Ascension tells the story of 16 year old Emma as an attempt survivor with first hand experience of the community surrounding her recovery and the youth suicide epidemic.
It Gets Better Project: This project wants to let lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth know that life will get better. The project also inspires youth to make needed changes in order to feel better. It offers a resource center, tweets, and inspirational videos from members. Youth can record their own story on a camera and share it with other members.
Trans Lifeline: The Trans Lifeline is a hotline run by transgender people for transgender people. They are dedicated to the wellbeing of transgender people and want to support you. Spanish and English counselors are available.
The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth ages 13–24. Its website has information about the signs of suicide and a way to connect online with other LGBTQ youth. The Trevor Helpline is a 24-hour toll-free suicide hotline at 1-866-488-7386. TrevorChat is for online crisis chat 6 hours a day. Trevor Text is for texting on Fridays late afternoon to early evening. Text TREVOR to 678-678.
Your Life Your Voice:span style=”font-weight: 400;”> This site offers many ways to get help – youth can talk counselors 24/7. Call 800-448-3000 or Text VOICE to 20121. There are tips on coping skills, dealing with grief, and many other important topics, a bulletin board, and videos.
The Jed Foundation: The Foundation supports and promotes the emotional health and prevent suicide among college and university students. It has a variety of programs for students, from MUV’s college network to social networking sites to tours and events.
Your Life Your Voice: span style=”font-weight: 400;”>This site offers many ways to get help – youth can talk counselors 24/7. Call 800-448-3000 or Text VOICE to 20121. There are tips on coping skills, dealing with grief, and many other important topics, a bulletin board, and videos.
Crisis Text Line: The Crisis Text Line offers 24/7 emotional support and information support to teens in any type of crisis, including suicide, by trained volunteers via texting. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor for free confidential 24/7 support
Teen Line: Teen Line provides support, resources, and hope to young people through a hotline of professionally trained teen counselors, and outreach programs that de-stigmatize and normalize mental health. Call 800-852-8336 Nationwide (6 PM – 10 PM PST) or Text TEEN to 839863 (6 PM – 10 PM PST) .The teen line also has a message board, email, a blog, information, and resources.
Your Life Your Voice: span style=”font-weight: 400;”>This site offers many ways to get help – youth can talk counselors 24/7. Call 800-448-3000 or Text VOICE to 20121. There are tips on coping skills, dealing with grief, and many other important topics, a bulletin board, and videos.
KidsPeace FREE WALK-IN ASSESSMENT
(Monday-Friday 9am-3pm)
Allentown, PA: 610-799-8910 Ext. 5
Bethlehem, PA 610-799-8600
Mount Pocono: 570-243-8787
TeenCentral is a website powered by KidsPeace as a free and safe prevention and intervention resource specifically for youth. On TeenCentral, you can find information on a variety of topics. You can also submit a story or post about any crisis, problem or situation you’re struggling with and receive a therapeutic support response within 24 hours, safely, anonymously, and free of charge.
If your friend or family member asks you to keep any thoughts, acts, or behaviors listed above a secret, let them know you care about them and need to share this with a trusted adult. It may feel like you’re betraying your friend or family member, but you should always tell a trusted adult.
Share your concerns with an adult as soon as possible. You also can turn to these resources for 24/7 help:
988 Lifeline for LGBTQ+ community:
Call or text 988 and press 3 to be connected to LGBTQ+ services.
Know the Signs:
The important thing is to notify a responsible adult. It may be tempting to try to help your friend on your own, but it’s always safest to get help.
Do you feel like one of your friends or family members are showing signs that they might need help? Suicide is complex, with many different factors contributing to an individual’s risk of suicide.
Most youth who die by suicide show some warning signs and behavior changes which have been identified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is important to note that not all youth who are at risk of suicide will show these warning signs, and not all youth who exhibit these behaviors are at risk for suicide. Common warning signs to be aware of include:
There is oftentimes not one direct cause, and youth who attempt or die by suicide often have a mix of risk and protective factors in their life. Here are some risk factors that have been identified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as contributing to suicide risk.
Family frustrations, relationship difficulties, school pressures, and discovering your identity can feel daunting and overwhelming on your own. Navigating tough times, relationships, and difficult moments can also weigh heavily. Reaching out for support can help make these transitions more manageable.
The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, or if someone you know is in crisis. Call. Text. Chat.
Available 24 hours.
(2011-2021):
