---
title: Pediatric and Suicide Prevention Experts Partner to Create Blueprint for Preventing Youth Suicide
description: "- **Rising Youth Suicide Rates**: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10-24 in the U.S., with rates of attempted suicide and suicidal thoughts rising, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. - **Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention**:…"
url: "https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/hub/crisis-response-and-suicide-prevention/pediatric-and-suicide-prevention-experts-partner-to-create-blueprint-for-preventing-youth-suicide/"
updated: "2026-07-31"
category: Crisis Response and Suicide Prevention
tags:
  - Audience
  - Child welfare professionals
  - Mental health professionals
  - Tipsheet
---

# Pediatric and Suicide Prevention Experts Partner to Create Blueprint for Preventing Youth Suicide

- **Rising Youth Suicide Rates**: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10-24 in the U.S., with rates of attempted suicide and suicidal thoughts rising, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- **Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention**: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), in collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), created a comprehensive blueprint to help pediatric health clinicians and community members prevent youth suicide.
- **Focus on Health Equity**: The blueprint emphasizes the importance of addressing disparities in suicide rates among different cultural and ethnic groups and increasing research focused on these populations.
- **Key Recommendations**:
  - Increase access to mental health care and suicide prevention services.
  - Build a more diverse and robust mental health workforce.
  - Improve insurance coverage for mental and behavioral health services.
  - Restrict access to lethal means, such as firearms, to reduce suicide risk.
  - Foster healthy mental development from childhood through adolescence.
  - Promote partnerships between healthcare providers and community organizations to support at-risk youth.
- **Role of Pediatric Health Settings**: Pediatricians are encouraged to screen all patients aged 12 and older for mental health concerns and suicide risk. They are well-positioned to engage with families and provide early intervention.
- **Broader Community Involvement**: The blueprint advocates for involvement from schools, families, and community groups to create a supportive environment for youth mental health and suicide prevention.
- **Suicide Prevention Resources**: Additional support is provided through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and other crisis support services.
- **Goal of the Blueprint**: The aim is to create a comprehensive approach that combines medical, community, and legislative actions to prevent youth suicide and support mental health across the U.S.

[Read More](https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2022/pediatric-and-suicide-prevention-experts-partner-to-create-blueprint-for-preventing-youth-suicide/)

 

 [https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/linkedin?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbridges4mentalhealth.org%2Fhub%2Fcrisis-response-and-suicide-prevention%2Fpediatric-and-suicide-prevention-experts-partner-to-create-blueprint-for-preventing-youth-suicide%2F&linkname=Pediatric%20and%20Suicide%20Prevention%20Experts%20Partner%20to%20Create%20Blueprint%20for%20Preventing%20Youth%20Suicide](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/linkedin?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbridges4mentalhealth.org%2Fhub%2Fcrisis-response-and-suicide-prevention%2Fpediatric-and-suicide-prevention-experts-partner-to-create-blueprint-for-preventing-youth-suicide%2F&linkname=Pediatric%20and%20Suicide%20Prevention%20Experts%20Partner%20to%20Create%20Blueprint%20for%20Preventing%20Youth%20Suicide)[https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbridges4mentalhealth.org%2Fhub%2Fcrisis-response-and-suicide-prevention%2Fpediatric-and-suicide-prevention-experts-partner-to-create-blueprint-for-preventing-youth-suicide%2F&linkname=Pediatric%20and%20Suicide%20Prevention%20Experts%20Partner%20to%20Create%20Blueprint%20for%20Preventing%20Youth%20Suicide](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbridges4mentalhealth.org%2Fhub%2Fcrisis-response-and-suicide-prevention%2Fpediatric-and-suicide-prevention-experts-partner-to-create-blueprint-for-preventing-youth-suicide%2F&linkname=Pediatric%20and%20Suicide%20Prevention%20Experts%20Partner%20to%20Create%20Blueprint%20for%20Preventing%20Youth%20Suicide)[https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbridges4mentalhealth.org%2Fhub%2Fcrisis-response-and-suicide-prevention%2Fpediatric-and-suicide-prevention-experts-partner-to-create-blueprint-for-preventing-youth-suicide%2F&linkname=Pediatric%20and%20Suicide%20Prevention%20Experts%20Partner%20to%20Create%20Blueprint%20for%20Preventing%20Youth%20Suicide](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbridges4mentalhealth.org%2Fhub%2Fcrisis-response-and-suicide-prevention%2Fpediatric-and-suicide-prevention-experts-partner-to-create-blueprint-for-preventing-youth-suicide%2F&linkname=Pediatric%20and%20Suicide%20Prevention%20Experts%20Partner%20to%20Create%20Blueprint%20for%20Preventing%20Youth%20Suicide)[https://www.addtoany.com/share](https://www.addtoany.com/share)