Between the years of 2015 and 2018, suicide deaths for Kansas youth, ages 10-17, increased by 70%. This alarming trend, prompted Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, with the cooperation of the Tower Mental Health Foundation, to create a Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force in the spring of 2018. The 2019 report, issued by the Task Force, stated that a youth-focused phone app that would connect youth to resources and information was needed. It also created the position of Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator within the Office of the Attorney General.

Yesterday Schmidt announced the launch of the mobile app. A culmination of the efforts that were started 5+ years ago. The free app, named “Kansas – A Friend AskKS” was developed with the assistance of the Jason Foundation, a national suicide prevention organization. The tool connects youth with resources or to the 988 hotline to help a friend, or themselves, who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. The announcement yesterday morning at the Kansas Suicide Prevention Headquarters Breakfast for Hope in Lawrence coincides with National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, National Suicide Prevention Week, and Saturday’s upcoming observance of World Suicide Prevention Day.

If you or a loved one is contemplating suicide, please connect with the Kansas suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing or texting 9-8-8, in order to be connected with a trained crisis counselor who can provide support.