- Teen suicide is also a growing problem.

And that's why Focus on the Family

has developed a new training to combat it.

It's called Alive to Thrive.

And we're joined nowby President Jim Daly.

Jim, thanks for joining us.

Heather, it's good to be with you.

- Well tell us,

it sounds like there reallyare some proactive steps

that people who have teensin their lives can take

to help them prevent suicide.

What can be done?

- Well, there's suicide hotlines.

I think the culture is waking up to this,

you know, terrible situation.

You think of the numbers,

there's approximately 30 million people

that fit that demographic 18 to 24,

and that's seven,approximately 7 million people

that have had suicidethoughts or ideation.

And that's exactly why wecreated Alive to Thrive,

to equip caregivers to the teens,

those in relationship with them,

parents, most of all,

but also coaches and youthleaders and others, pastors,

to be able to identifythose teens that are at risk

and those 20-somethings at risk

so that they can interveneand do what they need to do

to help save a life.

And I think Heather,

the biggest issue in the culture right now

is just this diminishing

of the value of human life generally.

And I think that suicide ideation

is just part of the downstream flow

of us disregarding beingmade in God's image.

- It's really fascinatingto think about that.

How can people tap into this resource?

- Well, they could certainlycome to focusonthefamily.com,

the website and navigate that to find it,

or they can call1-800-AFAMILY, and it's free.

We are not charging for this.

That's how much we believe inthis program and curriculum.

So we just want to getit into everybody's hands

so that fewer people willsucceed at taking their own life.

- Hmm.

What are some of the warning signs

that you're encouraging people to look for

that teens might be sending

indicating they'rehaving suicidal thoughts?

- Well, unfortunately COVID-19

has made these more amplified.

But you look at isolation,

it can be a chronic depression, obviously,

sleeping long periods of time,

no social interaction,isolation, bullying,

all these things contributeto the self esteem issues

that some young people suffer from

and then decide because of that pressure

and those external influences

that my life just isn't worth living.

I just signed a letter,I mean, 10 minutes ago

to a physician friend of minewhose son just took his life.

That's how real it is

and that's how common,

unfortunately, it is inthe culture right now.

- And just briefly

for people who are seeingthese warning signs,

what can they do?

What do you encourage them to say or do?

- Get help.

I mean, that's the key thing.

If you don't know, butsomething is gnawing at you,

don't hesitate to getthe help that's needed.

My wife's brother committed suicide

and on the back end ofthat, after he succeeded,

the family had so much guilt

that they didn't act onthe signs that they saw.

And I would say if you're concerned,

go with that gut hunch and get help,

talk to a physician,

call the suicide hotline,

call Focus on the Family.

We're here to help you too.

- All right, really sobering information,

but helpful information.

Jim Daly with Focus on the Family.

Thanks for your time.