NJ Department of Education Awards Grant to Strengthen Youth Suicide Prevention

A new $550,000 initiative aims to equip educators with vital skills for identifying and assisting at-risk students.

NEW JERSEY STATE – As part of Governor Phil Murphy’s broad effort to bolster youth mental health, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has awarded a $550,000 federally funded grant to the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS). Over a 24-month period, the nonprofit will launch a Youth Suicide Prevention and Awareness Campaign designed to train educators statewide in spotting early signs of suicidal behavior and connecting students with the help they need.

“Youth mental health remains a top priority for my Administration, and we have taken great strides to ensure our students, educators, and communities have the resources they need to prevent tragedies and support the well-being of our children,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Raising awareness for the intervention resources within reach of New Jersey students is critical to fostering safe and supportive environments for New Jersey’s young people. Together, we can provide the education and tools needed to help save young lives.”

Key Takeaways

• Federal Funding: The $550,000 grant supports SPTS’s development of a comprehensive public-awareness campaign.
• Training and Resources: Online training modules for New Jersey educators will be created to help them recognize warning signs of suicidal behavior among students.
• Statewide Conference: Mental health professionals, community leaders, and other stakeholders will convene to share best practices and reduce stigma around mental health struggles.
• SPTS’s Founders: The organization was created by two Monmouth County fathers who each experienced the tragic loss of a child by suicide.

“It’s our duty to respond with a critical sense of urgency to strengthen our suicide prevention efforts throughout the state,” said Kevin Dehmer, Acting Commissioner of Education. “By providing educators with high-quality training, this initiative can help build a culture of care, resilience, and understanding among New Jersey’s youth.”

By enhancing educators’ understanding of youth mental health, officials hope to reduce stigma and increase early interventions for at-risk individuals. The initiative’s overarching goal is to ensure that schools can play a proactive role in suicide prevention, ultimately safeguarding the emotional well-being of New Jersey’s students.

For more information, see the NJDOE’s Youth Mental Health resources and the Youth Suicide Prevention webpage. For more information on the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, see the SPTS webpage.