Protecting Youth Among Increased Suicide Attempts 10-02-26
October 2, 2026
Protecting Youth Among Increased Suicide Attempts
MOBILE, Ala. — Suicide Awareness Month may have concluded, but the need to support young people and promote early intervention continues every day.
The Mobile County Health Department’s Data Analytics and Epidemiology Division (DAE) monitors a range of community health indicators. As of October 2026, DAE identified a 15 percent increase in emergency department visits for suicide attempts in youths aged 0-17 when compared to the whole of 2025.
“Connection saves lives,” said Dr. Kevin Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. “Even after Suicide Awareness Month, we must continue checking in with our children, listening without judgment, reducing stigma around mental-health care, and ensuring families know where to turn when they need help.”
All statements and behaviors suggesting self-harm should be taken seriously. Asking a young person about suicide does not put the idea in their mind. Instead, a caring conversation can open the door to help.
Young people may experience emotional distress in different ways, warning signs include:
- Sudden drops in grades, school attendance, or quitting enjoyed hobbies
- Leaving group chats, deleting social media, or withdrawing from friends/family
- Major changes in personality, appetite, or sleep habits
- Feelings of worthlessness, feeling like a burden to others, or jokes about death
- Loss of interest in future plans or no reaction to personal successes
- Unusual goodbyes or giving away belongings
- Neglecting hygiene or appearance
- Reckless behavior, including drug or alcohol abuse
- Sudden calm after periods of severe anxiety, depression, stress, or agitation
Prevention also includes practical steps at home. Parents should secure firearms, medications, alcohol, and other potentially lethal means. MCHD offers free gun locks and naloxone at our Prevention and Wellness Kiosks (see locations: https://mobile-county-overdose-surveillance-mc-hd.hub.arcgis.com).
MCHD also encourages parents and students to identify school counselors and community resources.
For immediate emotional support:
- Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and speak with a trained counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Mobile residents can dial 211 to connect with local counseling, social services, and other community resources close to home.
- AltaPointe’s Access to Care line is available at 251-450-2211.
- AltaPointe’s Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Mobile provides around-the-clock crisis assessment, observation, stabilization, medication, therapy, and psychiatric care; the Crisis Center can be reached at 251-662-8000.
If a child or adolescent is in immediate danger or has attempted suicide, call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately.