Teen Suicide Prevention Research

suicide has increased

25%

across the country in the past three years.

Source: KFF

For Ages

15-19

suicide is one of the top 3 leading causes of death.

Source: CDC

Colorado's teen suicide rate jumped

58%

from 2017-2019

Source: Colorado Public Radio

And then came the most shocking statistic of all

“Acute conflict with parental figures precedes 40% of teen suicide cases.”

Source: National Institute of Health 2018

I had to dive in. This is a public health crisis. More personally, as a mother of six teens and young adults, I needed more insight into what we as parents can do to help protect our kids from such heartbreak.

Because of this, in the summer of 2019 a group of youth and I started a research project to ask teens the question, “What do you wish your parents knew?”

In response to the critical issue of rising teen suicide rates, Kerry initiated the “Bridge the Gap” project. This endeavor was inspired by a striking statistic: acute conflicts with parental figures precede 40% of teen suicide cases. Recognizing the profound impact of parent-teen relationships on youth mental health, Kerry assembled a dedicated research team in the summer of 2019 to delve deeper into this pressing concern.

The research team, comprising high school graduates and university students, engaged directly with teenagers to gather authentic insights into their experiences and perspectives. They posed pivotal questions such as, “What do you wish your parents understood about you?” and “What advice would you give to parents to improve communication?” Additionally, the team surveyed parents and consulted mental health professionals to gain a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics at play.

The findings from this research have been instrumental in shaping Kerry’s approach to family therapy, aimed at reducing conflicts and fostering healthier relationships between parents and teens. 

This initiative underscores the mission to transform the dynamics of parent-teen interactions, promoting open communication and mutual understanding to safeguard the well-being of young individuals.

Take two minutes to watch the video we made

If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to me. I am also applying learnings from this research in my “Family Alchemy” model of family therapy. I am determined to help families reduce conflict between parents and teens.

“I want to hear more about their lives.”

“I’m struggling with depression a lot more than they think.”

“How difficult some of my relationships have been, and rather than telling me what to do, they would just listen.”

“I am my own person, not just a project of theirs.”

“I just want them to be proud of me.”

“I want to be closer to them, even though I don’t really act like it.”

We surveyed parents and interviewed mental health professionals.

We learned a lot about parent-teen relationships. I had my flight and hotel booked, ready to present this research at the annual conference the International Family Therapy Association in Basel, Switzerland in mid-March, 2020. It was COVID-cancelled. I am looking for ways to share what I learned with 1) mental health professionals and 2) parents of teens. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to me. I am also applying learnings from this research in my “Family Alchemy” model of family therapy. I am determined to help families reduce conflict between parents and teens.

Meet the Research Team

Kerry Stutzman

Marriage & Family Therapist · Parenting Educator · Mother

Anabelle Adams

University of Illinois · Analyst at CMD Global

Maggie Wright

Emory University · Research advisor

Haley Hammond

Heather Rynders

2019 Arapahoe H.S. graduate · Ministry Intern at Red Rocks Community Church

Vara Tummala

2019 graduate of Arapahoe H.S. · Headed to the University of Arizona

Amanda Brice

2020 University of Denver graduate in biology · UCD Anschutz for Master of Public Health in epidemiology

This research is a big part of the reason why we launched "Care for the Kids"

We're on a mission to safeguard the mental health of kids during divorce

I collaborate with my son Palmer, a youth resilience coach and marriage and family therapist, combining my therapy background with his unique perspective as someone who grew up through divorce. We’re passionate about helping families navigate this challenging journey while safeguarding kids’ mental health. Our work together includes:

  • Speaking to divorce professionals about what children really need during family transitions
  • Supporting parents in protecting their children's emotional well-being during the ups and downs of divorce
  • Offering our online course "Care for the Kids: Safeguarding Your Child's Mental Health During Divorce"

We’ve poured everything we’ve learned about helping kids thrive (not just survive) through divorce into this comprehensive resource for parents.

Learn About the Divorce Class for Parents

Discovery Call Request

The best way to find out if we’re a fit to work together is to have a good old-fashioned conversation. I offer 25-minute complimentary, no-pressure chats so we can meet each other. On our call, I’ll ask you questions about your goals and be honest about whether I can help. If we both think it’s a good fit, you can schedule your first online or in-person therapy session. So easy. 

I look forward to talking with you!

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Most Sunday mornings, my goal is to share stories from the heart, and thoughts about parenting, relationships, and self-awareness. I will also keep you posted about upcoming events and courses.

I promise not to overload your inbox and I will never (ever) share your email. I take this space very seriously, so my promise to you is always be transparent and speak straight from my heart, as open and honest as I know how to be. 

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How We Use AI

Short version: the ideas, the stories, and the advice on this site come from us. AI helps us with the work around the writing, not the writing itself.

We think you deserve a straight answer about that, so here it is.

What we write ourselves

Every article, lesson, and course module here starts as a blank page and one of us sitting in front of it. Kerry has spent decades as a therapist working with families in the middle of divorce. Palmer brings his own experience to the same problem. What you read is drawn from real sessions, real conversations, and real mistakes we have watched parents make and recover from. None of that can be generated. It has to be lived first and then written down.

When we tell a story about a client, that story happened. When we recommend a way to handle a handoff at the front door on a Sunday night, it is because we have watched it work.

Where AI actually helps

We use AI tools the way we use a good research assistant or a careful copy editor.

Research. Checking a statistic, finding a study we half remember, pulling together background on a custody arrangement we have not encountered before. We verify anything we publish against the original source, because these tools are confidently wrong often enough that we do not take their word for it.

Proofreading. Catching the typo, the sentence that runs on for four lines, the paragraph that made sense in our head and nowhere else.

Organizing. Sometimes we have forty minutes of talking about a topic and need help seeing the shape of it before we start writing.

Site and technical work. Behind the scenes, AI helps with the software that runs this site.

Where we do not use it

We do not have AI write our articles. We do not have it invent client stories or examples. We do not use it to answer questions that call for clinical judgment, and we do not let it stand in for the professional experience that is the reason you came here in the first place.

If you ever read something on this site and feel like nobody was home when it was written, tell us. That is a failure on our part, and we want to know about it.

Why we are telling you this

A lot of sites in this space have quietly handed their content to a machine and hoped nobody would notice. We are not interested in that, partly because it would be dishonest and partly because it would not work. Divorce is a hard, specific, personal thing. Generic advice does not help anybody through it.

We would rather tell you plainly how the sausage is made and let you decide whether to trust us.

Questions about any of this? Contact us. We will answer them.

Last updated: July 2026

Are Your Kids Okay?

Kerry and Palmer are putting the final touches on this class right now. As soon as we are ready, you’ll know.

Add your name to the priority list and get notified as soon as we launch.

(We don’t like spam any more than you do! We will NEVER, EVER share your email, and we promise not to clutter up your Inbox.).

Live Outside Colorado?

At this time, I am only licensed as a therapist within the state of Colorado. However! If you are a parent looking for help, I can offer virtual parent coaching. Fill out the form below and let me know what you are looking for. I’ll get back to you soon!

I look forward to discovering if we are a good fit.