NJ DCF Highlights Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resources for Young People

With suicide remaining a leading cause of death among youth ages 15–24, state officials stress the importance of early intervention and access to support services.

TRENTON, N.J. — October 8, 2025 — The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) is renewing its call for increased awareness and use of youth mental health and suicide prevention resources, following updated findings showing suicide remains a top cause of death among young people in the state.

According to DCF’s analysis of suicide-related data through 2022, suicide is the third leading cause of death for New Jersey residents aged 15 to 24. The report underscores the urgent need for families, educators, and caregivers to recognize warning signs and utilize available support systems.

Findings of DCFs Report on New Jersey:

- Male youth suicide rates were 3 times higher than female rates. However, female youth attempted suicide more often.

 - Female youth and Black non-Hispanic youth are seen in Emergency Departments and hospitalized for suicide attempt-related injuries more often than any other race or gender.

 - Suicide was the third leading cause of death for youth 10 to 24 years old

 - Nationally, high school students who identified as LGBT reported attempting suicide at a rate 5 times higher than heterosexual students.

 - Over sixty percent of all youth who died by suicide between 2020-2022 had a known mental health challenge at the time of their death.

 - Asphyxiation was the most common method of suicide.

 - The second most common causes of suicide were Firearms among males, and poisonings among females.

“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.”

New Jersey offers a range of mental health resources for children and young adults aged 10 to 24, including early prevention and intensive clinical care. Among these is the New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S) program, which delivers brief intervention and prevention services to public school students, families, and school personnel across the state.

To help reduce risk and promote mental wellness, DCF encourages adults to watch for signs such as changes in mood, sleep, appetite, academic performance, social behavior, or self-harming language. Officials advise taking such signs seriously and responding promptly.

“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.”

Recommended strategies include:

• Secure all potentially lethal means, including medications and firearms, keeping them inaccessible to youth.

• Engage in open, non-judgmental communication—asking directly about suicidal thoughts when concerned.

• Leverage school and community-based resources, such as NJ4S hubs, school counselors, and the Children’s System of Care, for timely access to professional support.

Key Mental Health and Crisis Resources in New Jersey:

• Emergency situations: Dial 911 if a young person is in immediate danger.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7 confidential emotional support. Live chat is also available at 988lifeline.org.

• Children’s System of Care (CSOC): Offers 24/7 access to behavioral health services and crisis response for youth under 21. Call 1-877-652-7624.

• 2NDFLOOR Youth Helpline: A confidential and anonymous helpline available 24/7 by calling or texting 1-888-222-2228. Services include chat and message boards, as well as a mobile app for youth engagement.

• NJ4S Regional Hubs: Connects students and families with wellness programs, school-based interventions, and referrals to local mental health services.

In support of the initiative, DCF has released a public service video aimed at raising awareness around youth mental health and suicide prevention, available at: https://youtu.be/7vdZx7IBZTg.

The department urges all residents to remain alert, supportive, and informed, emphasizing that early recognition and connection to care can make a life-saving difference.