September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Alpine School District is reminding parents and students that no one has to navigate suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis alone.
According to the Utah State Board of Education, Utah consistently ranks in the top ten in the nation for significant mental health concerns. While youth suicide remains a serious public health crisis, recent 2025 SHARP survey results offer a glimmer of hope. The percentage of Utah youth who “seriously considered attempting suicide” dropped from 17% in 2023 to 12% in 2025, while the percentage of students “struggling in silence without reaching out” decreased from 42% to 38% over the same period.
These small improvements suggest that students are learning resiliency skills and can overcome mental health struggles when given the right support. Mental health help is available 24/7 to students in Alpine School District and across the state.
Help Is Available 24/7
Resources such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, SafeUT, and the Huntsman Mental Health Youth Crisis Care Program give students and families access to support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988, or through online chat at 988lifeline.org or 988.utah.gov. It provides free, confidential, immediate emotional and mental health support from trained crisis workers. For students or others who may find it difficult to talk about what they are experiencing, text and chat provide additional ways to reach out for help. Over 150,000 calls were made to the 988 Lifeline and Warmline in Utah last year alone.
Utah students, parents, and school staff can also download and use the SafeUT app, visit safeut.org, or call 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388). The SafeUT app allows users to connect through confidential chat with crisis counselors or submit a tip. These master's-level counselors are employed by the Huntsman Mental Health Institute at University of Utah Health and are trained in supportive listening, collaborative problem-solving, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention. Last year, 32,936 SafeUT chats and tips connected individuals directly to help.
Additionally, the Huntsman Mental Health Youth Crisis Care Program offers compassionate, immediate, and specialized support tailored specifically for children and teens ages 5 through 17, giving families a space to pause, reset, and connect to the right level of care.
Know the Warning Signs
Knowing when to reach out can be just as important as knowing where to turn. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline identifies warning signs in youth that include talking about or making plans for suicide, expressing hopelessness about the future, and displaying severe or overwhelming emotional pain or distress.
According to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Other warning signs can include significant changes in behavior, such as changes in sleep or increased agitation or irritability. Parents who notice these signs or are concerned about a student’s well-being do not need to wait until they are certain there is a crisis before reaching out for support.
“Connectedness is considered the single most critical protective factor against suicide. Connection is everything — and connection is a vital foundation of our work in ASD schools,” said Karen Hunter, Prevention Specialist at Alpine School District.
Support at School
Support is also available within every ASD school.
“ASD has licensed service providers at each school (school counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and nurses) who are trained and equipped to help any student navigate thoughts of suicide,” Paxman said. Students have access to these school-based professionals who can assess their needs and connect them to the proper support to keep them safe. This commitment is reflected in ASD's Climate, Culture & Connection Survey data, where students rated 'adults at school care about me' at 3.89 out of 5.
Students or parents seeking support at school should reach out directly to our licensed school professionals, such as counselors, social workers, or school psychologists. These dedicated staff members are uniquely trained to provide appropriate guidance, care, and resources.
For parents, supporting a student does not mean having to navigate a difficult situation alone. Families, schools, and trained crisis professionals can work together to help students find support when they need it.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Utah students and families can also download the SafeUT app or call 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388) for confidential crisis support. Sometimes helping starts with something as simple as making a connection. Knowing the resources — and being willing to use them — can help ensure students know there is always someone ready to listen.