FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A new research letter published in JAMA Pediatrics found that fewer than half of young adults experiencing suicidal thoughts receive mental health care, highlighting ongoing challenges in addressing mental health needs.<\/p>\n
Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Cambridge Health Alliance analyzed data from the 2022-2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which included more than 27,000 people aged 18 to 25. The study found that about 1 in 8 young adults reported suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts in the previous year. Among those individuals, less than half received any mental health care.<\/p>\n
Amanda Nugent Divine, CEO of Kings View, said suicide remains a significant concern for young people.<\/p>\n
“It’s the second leading cause of death for those ages ten to 24. For 10 to 14, there are divisions that we research: groups and cohorts; one is 10 to 14, and then 15 to 24. And so for both those cohorts, it is now the second leading cause of death, according to the CDC.”<\/p>\n
Kings View provides crisis support services in Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties. Darrell Hamilton, Kings View regional director, said the organization plays a key role in the region’s crisis response system.<\/p>\n
“We are the only crisis response providers in the Central Valley. Well, Kingsville has the pleasure of having crisis mobile response teams in Fresno County, Kings County and Tulare County.”<\/p>\n
According to Kings View, the organization received more than 24,000 calls during the last fiscal year, averaging about 3,500 incoming calls each month.<\/p>\n
Nugent Divine said family members and friends can watch for warning signs that someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.<\/p>\n
“If someone starts talking about death, expresses hopelessness, or a feeling of not being able to see a way through. We have also often identified when someone says something along the lines of: ‘I think everybody would be better off without me around.’ Now I want to be clear, that is not a sure sign. It’s not like everybody says that they are absolutely going to attempt suicide because that’s not true. But it is a statement to pay attention to.”<\/p>\n
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline<\/a> at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).<\/p>\n Danyelle Burke North: For news updates, follow Danyelle Burke North on Instagram<\/a> and TikTok<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n