Aligned with the 988 Lifeline
Suicide Prevention
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10–24 in the United States. LEADD trains students, school staff, parents, and officers to recognize warning signs, ask the hard question, and connect a struggling teen to help — before a moment of crisis becomes a tragedy.
By the Numbers
The cost of inaction.
Leading cause of death among Americans ages 10–24
Source: CDC
Young people (10–24) lost to suicide in the U.S. each year
Source: CDC WISQARS
Of U.S. high schoolers seriously considered suicide in the past year
Source: CDC YRBSS
The free, 24/7 national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text
Source: SAMHSA
Of high schoolers attempted suicide in the past 12 months
Source: CDC YRBSS
Of teens who die by suicide had a documented mental-health condition
Source: AFSP
LGBTQ+ teens are 4× more likely to attempt suicide than their peers
Source: Trevor Project
Of suicide deaths involve a firearm — secure storage saves lives
Source: Everytown / CDC
Why It Matters
More than a statistic.
Behind every number is a teen, a family, a classroom, and a community. Here is the context every parent, educator, and faith leader should understand.
Suicide is rarely impulsive in a vacuum — most teens give warning signs to peers before any adult notices.
Means matter. Limiting access to firearms and lethal medications during a crisis dramatically increases survival.
Asking a teen directly about suicide does NOT plant the idea — decades of research show the opposite.
Recovery is the rule, not the exception. 90% of teens who survive an attempt do not go on to die by suicide.
Warning Signs
What every adult should watch for.
LEADD trains parents, teachers, coaches, and faith leaders to recognize the early signals — long before a crisis.
Talking about being a burden, feeling trapped, or having no reason to live
Giving away prized possessions or saying goodbye
Sudden calm after a long depressive period — often a danger sign
Increased substance use, reckless behavior, or social withdrawal
Searches or social posts about methods, hopelessness, or 'goodbye'
Access to firearms, large quantities of medication, or other means
The LEADD Curriculum
A complete, classroom-ready program.
Each module is delivered by a trained LEADD officer in partnership with the school counselor. Modules can be sequenced over a semester or compressed into a one-week intensive.
- 1
Module 1
Talk Saves Lives
AFSP-aligned overview: the science of suicide, who's at risk, and what protects.
- 2
Module 2
QPR — Question, Persuade, Refer
Hands-on gatekeeper training. Every adult and peer leader leaves certified.
- 3
Module 3
988 in Action
Walk-through of calling, texting, and chatting with 988. Posters and locker tags for the whole school.
- 4
Module 4
Means Safety at Home
Free gun locks, medication lock-boxes, and the conversation parents need to have tonight.
- 5
Module 5
Postvention
If a death occurs: safe messaging, contagion prevention, and supporting grieving students.
How LEADD Helps
Education that changes outcomes.
LEADD officers don't just visit a classroom and leave. We build year-round partnerships with educators, parents, and faith leaders so teens hear a consistent, life-saving message from every adult in their lives.
Gatekeeper training
QPR-style training (Question, Persuade, Refer) for teachers, coaches, faith leaders, and student peer leaders.
988 awareness campaigns
Posters, locker tags, social-media kits, and assembly modules so every teen knows help is one call or text away.
Peer-leader programs
Selected students are trained as trusted listeners and connectors — backed by adult LEADD mentors.
Crisis response coordination
Officers train alongside school counselors and mobile crisis teams so a youth in crisis meets compassion, not handcuffs.
Means safety distribution
Free gun locks and medication lock-boxes distributed to families through schools, churches, and community events.
Postvention support
When a community loses a young person, LEADD coordinates safe-messaging guidance, peer support, and counseling referrals to prevent contagion.
"I texted 988 from the bathroom at school. The counselor stayed with me for an hour. The LEADD officer who taught us about it might have saved my life — and she'll never know."
— Anonymous, 10th grade
For Parents
What you can do tonight.
You are the most important prevention program in your teen's life. These are the actions LEADD officers ask every parent to take — starting today.
- 1
Ask directly: 'Are you thinking about suicide?' It will not put the idea in their head.
- 2
If there are firearms in your home, store them locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition. Use a free gun lock.
- 3
Lock up medications — especially opioids, sleep aids, and Tylenol — in a real lock-box.
- 4
Save 988 in every family member's phone. Practice using it.
- 5
If your teen is in crisis, do not leave them alone. Call 988 or take them to the ER.
What's Included
- QPR gatekeeper training
- 988 Lifeline campaigns
- Peer-leader academies
- Postvention & grief response
- Family & faith-leader workshops
- Free gun locks & medication lock-boxes
- School counselor co-response
Aligned With Trusted Partners
Our curriculum draws on the research, materials, and decades of experience of the nation's leading prevention organizations.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- AFSP — American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Jason Foundation
- SAMHSA
- Trevor Project
- Sources of Strength
National Resources
Trusted help, one click away.
Bookmark these. Share them with your teen, your school, and your congregation. Every one of these organizations partners with LEADD.
Bring this program to your community.
We'll connect you with LEADD officers in your region — at no cost to most schools and churches.
Next Program
Teen Pregnancy