Asset Building

Suicide is the final outcome of what can be a complex, cumulative and interacting set of risk factors. Many intervention programs do not address the issue of suicide itself and focus instead on risk factors such as mental health issues, substance abuse, academic failure, delinquency, family conflict, access to lethal means and the influence of media violence.

But we can't stop there.  Youth suicide prevention is also about mental health promotion, asset-building and positive youth development.  We need to find ways to boost psychological hardiness in a world that may feel troubling and confusing to youth who are struggling to find their way.