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Youth Suicide Prevention

Throughout his tenure, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has promoted awareness and prevention and youth suicide in Arkansas. Such tragedies are unnecessary and avoidable through prevention efforts and a focus among all Arkansans to recognize warning signs. McDaniel offers a positive prevention approach that includes educational presentations to schools and community groups, as well as annual poetry and public service announcement contests.

The Poetry and PSA contest is open to students in grades six through twelve.  Contest information is available at the link below and it is distributed to schools throughout the state each fall. The Poetry and PSA contest is co-sponsored by the Jason Foundation at Pinnacle Pointe in Little Rock.  Each spring, a youth conference and awards ceremony is held to recognize the statewide contest winners and to highlight Youth Suicide Prevention Week.

Youth Suicide Prevention Week is observed in the month of March to provide schools with an opportunity to educate students and adults about the facts of suicidal behavior along with a chance to discuss local resources that could save a young life.

The Attorney General’s Office has experts that can discuss youth suicide prevention. In fact, employees of the Attorney General’s Office typically offer professional in-service training for Arkansas teachers required to obtain knowledge of youth suicide prevention.

The educational presentation addresses common warning signs, statistics, myths, and helpful resources designed to help an observer recognize suicidal behavior and get help for a troubled youth.

The Arkansas Crisis Center offers help and counseling to those contemplating suicide. Its hotline number is (888) CRISIS2 (274-7472).

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