At Connecticut Children's, we are committed to reducing youth suicide and supporting those struggling with suicidal thoughts. Our efforts focus on early identification, education, advocacy, and the implementation of evidence-based programs and screening tools.
Through partnerships, quality improvement initiatives, and community outreach, we aim to create safer, healthier communities, reduce stigma, and provide critical support to youth and their families.
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.
1 in 5 patients screened in Connecticut Children’s Emergency Department is at risk for suicide.
Each year, over 2,500 youth—many experiencing active suicidal thoughts—are identified through our screening efforts. Suicide is a leading cause of death among youth aged 10 and older, and early identification is critical to saving lives.
Research shows that it's safe, and even helpful, to directly ask your child if they're having thoughts of suicide. It can give them a sense of hope.
Steven C. Rogers, MD, MS
Universal Suicide Screening in the Emergency Department
A universal suicide screening program was launched in the Emergency Department (ED) to identify youth at risk for suicide.
How it Works
The screening process follows a two-tiered approach, customized for both patients and staff:
High-Risk Identification – Patients flagged as high risk or with any concerns receive a more in-depth evaluation by the behavioral health team.
Who Is Screened?
Patients aged 10 and older
Medically stable individuals
Developmentally able to participate in screening
More than 90% of eligible patients are screened upon arrival
Impact and Success
Helps identify at-risk youth and connect them to care
Establishes a nationwide standard for pediatric emergency departments
Contributes to best practices in youth suicide prevention
This structured approach ensures that young patients receive the critical support and resources they need, improving outcomes and saving lives.
Connecticut Children’s is a Leader in Youth Suicide Prevention
Connecticut Children’s is a leader in youth suicide prevention, providing training and conducting research. Meet our team and learn about our impact:
Our dedicated team not only identifies youth at risk for suicide but also conducts vital research and provides training to ensure life-saving care and prevention strategies are accessible to all.
Kristen Volz-Spessard, MS Youth Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator Question, Persuade, Refer Gatekeeper Instructor
At Connecticut Children’s, our research is dedicated to early identification, intervention, and the development of protective factors to prevent youth suicide. We are committed to advancing best practices in suicide screening and prevention, with a focus on improving healthcare systems nationwide. Our current research priorities include:
Guiding the development of a National Research Agenda on Emergency Mental Healthcare and Suicide Prevention for youth.
Developing a tablet-based behavioral health screening tool for use in the Emergency Department to improve screening efficiency and accuracy.
Expanding universal suicide screening for adolescents across Connecticut Children’s to ensure every patient at risk is identified and receives timely care.
Evaluating the rate of return for at-risk patients within the Emergency Department to better understand follow-up and outcomes for these vulnerable youth.
Creating validated safety planning educational modules for patients, caregivers, and providers to equip them with tools for managing suicide risk.
Researching the potential associations between obesity and suicide risk, aiming to understand how physical health factors contribute to mental health challenges in youth.
Through these initiatives, we continue to lead in transformative suicide prevention research, helping to shape effective strategies and improve outcomes for youth at risk.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Bystander Intervention Training QPR is a proven training method for preventing suicide, available to all adults in Connecticut. This training equips participants to recognize warning signs, intervene effectively, and connect those at risk with the appropriate support, empowering them to serve as "gatekeepers" for those in need.
Training to Establish an Alliance Centered on Hope” (TEACH), is a training grant that offers a bystander intervention training, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), to individuals across Connecticut Children’s and throughout Connecticut. QPR teaches three essential steps to potentially save a life from suicide, turning participants into "gatekeepers" within their communities. From this training, participants learn about common causes of suicidal behavior, recognize warning signs, and gain skills to seek help for themselves or someone in crisis.
If you are interested in a training session, please contact TEACH at teachQPR [at] connecticutchildrens.org.
Insights on Youth Suicide Prevention and Mental Health
Stay updated with the latest blogs and articles on mental health and youth suicide prevention.
