October 8, 2025 New Jersey Department of Children and Families Raises Awareness about Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resources

New Jersey Department of Children and Families Raises Awareness about Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resources TRENTON - The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) is reminding children, youth, parents, and caregivers that many strategies and services exist to support youth mental health and combat youth suicide.Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for New Jersey youth, and DCF is urging anyone who is worried about a young person to connect immediately with available crisis and care resources."Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy for the family, the community, and the whole of New Jersey," said DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer. "We have an array of services for young people, caregivers, and educators to find help-whether that's an anonymous chat on a message board or app, a school-based prevention or intervention, or assistance coordinated through the Children's System of Care. We're here to help."A recent DCF analysis of youth suicide (covering deaths and attempts among individuals aged 10-24 through 2022) notes that suicide is the third leading cause of death for New Jersey youth between ages 15 and 24. This places suicide prevention among the State's top public-health priorities for young people."The youth mental health crisis has been simmering beneath the surface for some time, but it escalated quickly during the pandemic and is still quite pervasive," said Jeff Carrick, Deputy Director for DCF's Children's System of Care (CSOC), the public mental health system for youth under the age of 21. "From mobile response to in-community care to intensive out-of-home treatment, CSOC has a range of services for a range of conditions, available to all children and youth, as well as their families, regardless of income."New Jersey offers a continuum of supports for youth, families, and caregivers-from prevention to deep-end clinical intervention. Among the low-intensity offerings is the New Jersey Statewide Student Services (NJ4S) program, which provides prevention and brief intervention services to New Jersey public school students, parents / caregivers, and faculty."NJ4S is designed to provide a variety of programs and services to mitigate the need for intensive clinical intervention," said Sanford Starr, Assistant Commissioner for DCF's Division of Family and Community Partnerships, which oversees NJ4S. "We're meeting children and youth where they spend so much of their time and where so many of their concerns and challenges surface-in school and in trusted locations within the community."Some strategies for families, educators, mentors, and others to consider include: If you notice changes in mood, sleep, appetite, school performance, social withdrawal, or talk about hurting oneself, take it seriously and seek help. Keep lethal means (medication, firearms) secured and out of reach of youth. Encourage open, non-judgmental conversations; ask the youth directly about whether they have suicidal thoughts. Use school-based supports (NJ4S hubs, school counselors) and the Children's System of Care to connect youth quickly to services. New Jersey youth mental health resources include: If a young person is in immediate danger, call 911. For an emotional crisis, dial or text 988 (the national 3-digit crisis line) or use the Lifeline chat. Children's System of Care (CSOC) - Access statewide behavioral health services for children and youth (under age 21) and help with referrals, care coordination, and crisis response through the Children's System of Care. Available 24/7 at 1-877-652-7624. 2NDFLOOR Youth Helpline - A confidential, anonymous helpline for youth and young adults (ages ~10-24). Available 24/7 by call or text: 1-888-222-2228, and through online chat and message boards, as well as a downloadable mobile app. NJ Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S) - Regional hubs that connect students and caregivers to wellness services, prevention programs, and referrals to local supports. These hubs operate in schools and community locations across the state. A public service announcement for youth mental health is available from NJ DCF at https://youtu.be/7vdZx7IBZTg. Top ^