Project Name: Teen Suicide Prevention Helpline
Applicant Name: The National Runaway Switchboard DBA The National Runaway Safeline
Project Summary: The National Runaway Safeline (NRS) will launch a new, dedicated Teen Suicide Prevention Helpline (TSPL) for young people ages 12-to-18 in Illinois. The TSPL will offer 24/7 immediate crisis intervention services and support to young people via a phone-based hotline and digital services (including live chat and texting) managed by trained staff. There is currently no other service of its kind that is specifically designed for and dedicated to this age group or offered statewide.
Population to be Served: Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for young people ages 10-19 across the U.S. Research suggests that several risk factors, including mental health challenges and severe depression, increase the likelihood a young person attempts suicide. A 2022 study published in the journal of Pediatrics noted that children presenting at Illinois hospital emergency room departments because of suicidal ideation increased 59% in the 2019-2021 period compared to 2016-2017 . In 2022, NRS connected with more than 1,000 young people across Illinois and 31% self-identified mental health challenges as their reason for outreach. Of those experiencing a mental health challenge, 29% shared they had previous suicide attempts or were considering suicide. To prevent suicide and address the immediate mental health needs of young people, NRS is preparing to launch the TSPL to provide 24/7 services to young people ages 12-to-18 and fill a current gap in support.
Strategies/Interventions: For more than 50 years, NRS has provided 24/7 crisis intervention services to hundreds of thousands of young people annually who are considering leaving home or experiencing homelessness. The TSPL is an expansion of our work. A team of trained staff will provide hotline and digitally based crisis intervention services to Illinois youth ages 12 to 18 who need emotional support and may be considering suicide or self-harm. Utilizing the core tenets of positive youth development and trauma-informed models of care, staff will focus on the safety and strengths of youth to deescalate the situation, prevent suicide, and link youth to locally available resources and support.
Project Goals and Measurable Objectives: We expect to serve 1,000 young people from Illinois during the first year of implementation of the TSPL. Our primary goals are to increase the availability of suicide prevention interventions for young people and increase awareness about these resources and new services. To achieve our goals, we will measure several objectives related to the TSPL’s reach and connections and resources offered to young people. Additionally, we will measure our capacity to increase awareness among school districts, healthcare professionals, youth serving organizations, young people, and families.
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based injury statistics query and reporting system (WISQARS). Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars. Accessed July 1, 2021
2. Klassen JA, Hamza CA, Stewart SL. (2018). An examination of correlates for adolescent engagement in nonsuicidal self-injury, suicidal self-injury, and substance use. Journal of Research on
Adolescence, 28(2), 342–353 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jora.12333
3. Brewer, A.G., Doss, W., Sheehan, K., Davis, M.M, Feinglass, J.M. (2022) Trends in suicidal ideation-related emergency department visits for youth in Illinois. Pediatrics, (150)6
https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-056793
