Pennsylvania has been awarded a federal grant to continue statewide efforts to help prevent youth suicide and promote early intervention, Secretary of Public Welfare Gary Alexander has announced.

“Suicide is, unfortunately, a leading cause of death among young people, but we can change this sad statistic if we work together to know the warning signs and offer swift, effective help to those at risk,” Alexander said.

The grant, awarded by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, will provide Pennsylvania with $477,706 a year, for three years, to build on efforts to promote early intervention, provide assessment services to youth who are at risk, and foster collaboration among programs and services.

Pennsylvania was awarded a similar grant in 2008. While the first grant was focused in three counties in the northeast - Lackawanna, Luzerne and Schuylkill - the latest grant will assist in the expansion of suicide prevention efforts to six counties in the southeast - Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia - and two counties in the west, Allegheny and Westmoreland.

The grant will fund efforts to screen youth ages 14-24 and coordinate referrals with local behavioral health providers for community mental health treatments, as well as provide immediate support and information and resources to families.

More information about the grant and youth suicide prevention efforts in Pennsylvania is available on the Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative's website, www.paspi.org.