If you feel your child is in crisis, or a danger to themselves or others, call 911.
In Connecticut, you can also call 211 or 988 for emergency or crisis intervention. For free, confidential support, call 1.800.273.8255 or text “HOME” to 741741.
A New Chapter of Hope and Action
We’re proud to introduce the Youth Suicide Prevention Center, a program of Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health. This dedicated initiative brings hope to youth and families through advocacy, education, outreach, research, partnerships, and ongoing improvement. While not a clinical crisis center, it serves as a vital hub for prevention and early intervention.
This work is urgent. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth ages 10 and older, and based on our own suicide screening efforts, 1 in 5 youth visiting our Emergency Department screen positive for suicide risk. These numbers underscore the need for a unified, proactive approach that prioritizes early identification, meaningful connection, and sustained support.
Confronting a Growing Crisis
Despite national efforts, youth suicide rates continue to climb. The Youth Suicide Prevention Center is designed to align local, regional, and national resources in a comprehensive effort to raise awareness, reduce stigma, provide education, and use data to shape more effective prevention strategies. Our ultimate goal is to identify youth at risk and save lives.
What We’re Doing
We are addressing youth suicide through early identification, education, and research. Here’s how:
Universal Screening
We’ve implemented universal suicide screening for youth ages 10 and older at all Connecticut Children’s locations using evidence-based tools. So far, we’ve completed more than 75,000 screenings, successfully identifying thousands of at-risk youth.
Connecticut Children’s is one of the first pediatric health systems in the country to establish such a comprehensive prevention program. Our high staff compliance rate — over 90% for five years in a row — has made it one of the strongest screening efforts nationwide. We support this work through regular staff training, clinical review meetings, a real-time data dashboard, and ongoing quality improvement and research.
QPR Training – Recognize, Respond, Refer
We offer Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training to staff, providers, and community members. This bystander intervention helps people recognize warning signs of suicide and teaches them how to respond effectively.
By learning the three steps — Question, Persuade, and Refer — anyone can become a gatekeeper with the tools to help someone in crisis. Gatekeepers don’t need a medical background; they can be friends, teachers, parents, coaches, or neighbors. This approach empowers communities to act as a first line of prevention.
Research-Driven Solutions
Our work is guided by data and innovation. We conduct research focused on identifying at-risk youth, intervening early, and understanding protective factors. These insights help shape more effective prevention strategies, and we share our findings with other healthcare organizations to expand the impact.
Looking Ahead
We remain focused on expanding universal screening, developing new ways to identify and support youth at risk, and continuing our research, advocacy, and program development. Every step we take brings us closer to a future where young people facing mental health challenges receive the support they need — and the hope they deserve.
Take Action Today
Every one of us has the power to save a life. Join us in building a safer, more supportive future for our youth. Visit our website to learn more and sign up for a free QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training. In just one hour, you can gain the tools to recognize the signs of suicide and respond with confidence and compassion.
Be the reason someone finds hope.