Boys Town Highlights the Urgent Need for Youth Suicide Prevention—and Where Families Can Turn Right Now
24/7 help: Boys Town National Hotline 800-448-3000 or text VOICE to 20121; the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is also available nationwide.
Boys Town, Neb. (September 1, 2025) — Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States and is the second leading cause of death for ages 10–34. As communities mark Suicide Prevention Month, Boys Town urges families, schools, and youth-serving organizations to turn awareness into action: learn the warning signs, limit access to lethal means, and connect kids and caregivers to round-the-clock help.
“Behind every statistic is a family looking for answers and a young person who needs to feel seen,” said Nick Zadina, Manager of Training and Quality Assurance at the Boys Town National Hotline. “Parents and caregivers don’t need perfect words, just a plan: ask directly, listen without judgment, and connect to help immediately.”
More than 49,000 people died by suicide in 2023, a historically high level. While overall trends show small year-to-year changes, the burden is not shared equally: males die by suicide at a rate nearly four times that of females, and certain communities experience disproportionate risk. So far in 2025, the Boys Town National Hotline has supported over 46,500 total contacts, including 16,557 youths served. Counselors helped 7,657 young people experiencing suicidal ideation and intervened in more than 270 suicide-in-progress situations, showing clear evidence that timely, compassionate support saves lives.
How Boys Town helps
- Boys Town National Hotline (YourLifeYourVoice): Call 800-448-3000 or text VOICE to 20121 for 24/7, confidential support from trained crisis counselors. Teens and caregivers get immediate coaching, safety planning, and referrals.
- Behavioral Health Clinics: In-person and telehealth options for evidence-based outpatient therapy, psychiatry, parent coaching, and skills training.
- Higher levels of care when needed: Psychiatric Inpatient Care and the Residential Treatment Center for intensive stabilization; Family Home Program for family-style residential care.
- School & family supports: Practical tools, parenting resources, and prevention programming accessible online and in partner schools.
3 steps families can take tonight
- Ask directly about suicide; doing so does not plant the idea and can reduce risk.
- Keep them safe: by locking or removing lethal means (medications, firearms, sharp objects) during a crisis; time and distance save lives.
- Connect to help now: Boys Town Hotline 800-448-3000 / text VOICE to 20121, or call/text/chat 988 for the national Lifeline.
“Prevention is strongest when families, schools, and community providers act together,” said Zadina. “Our team meets kids where they are; from a 2 a.m. text to ongoing therapy, and when necessary, intensive treatment.”
Boys Town experts are available for interviews on warning signs, family safety planning, school response after a concern, and how 988 and Boys Town services work together. To schedule, contact Jordan Weinandt at 531-355-1273 or Jordan.Weinandt@boystown.org.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For mental-health crises and suicidal thoughts, call or text 988, or contact the Boys Town National Hotline at 800-448-3000 or text VOICE to 20121.
About Boys Town:
For over a century, Boys Town has been a beacon of hope, transforming the lives of America's children and families through innovative youth, research, and healthcare programs. Boys Town provides compassionate, research-proven education, prevention, training, and treatment for behavioral and physical problems in multiple locations throughout the United States, with a comprehensive array of resources and services. In 2024, more than 4 million children and families across the United States were impacted by Boys Town programs. You can find more information about Boys Town online at www.boystown.org.
