During this community forum, Adolescent Counseling Services’ program directors will discuss the warning signs of mental distress & strategies for suicide prevention that can be used to help teens before they reach their crisis point. Our panel of experts will present their solutions with particular emphasis on the vulnerable groups identified by the CDC and SAMHSA’s preliminary report, which includes LGBTQQ+ youth, teens who abuse substances, and other marginalized communities. In February 2016, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in conjunction with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD), launched an epidemiological investigation into the youth suicide clusters in Santa Clara County, which were identified as an urgent public health crisis. As mental health professionals & parents, we hope that with these findings we’ll be better able to address the needs of our youth.