Suicide Prevention for Teens: What Can Parents Do?
September is Suicide Prevention Month—a time to raise awareness, offer support, and promote resources for mental health and well-being. For teens, it's important to know that help and support are available. If you as a parent believe your teen is struggling and might be considering ending their life, here's a guide to understanding suicide prevention and taking care of your mental health.
Understanding Suicidal Thinking in Teens
Suicide in teens is a heavy topic to talk about, especially for parents who want to see their kids happy, healthy, and thriving. However, understanding the issue is the best way to learn how to approach it. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, there were approximately 100,000 teen suicide deaths (ages 15-19) between 1975 through 2015, the most recent year covered by the study. The majority of adolescents who attempt suicide have a significant mental health disorder, usually depression. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology reporte that among teens, suicide attempts may be associated with feelings of stress, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, disappointment, and loss. For some teens, suicide may appear to be a solution to their problems.
Is Your Teen Thinking About Suicide?
Being aware of the warning signs can help you recognize when your teen might be at risk of suicide. If you notice these signs in your teen, it's important to take them seriously and seek help:
Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
Withdrawing from friends and activities
Changes in mood, behavior, or personality
Giving away possessions
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
What Can Parents Do When Their Teen is Suicidal?
Stay Calm: Even if your teen has made vague statements or threats about suicide, never dismiss or ignore these signs. Your calm demeanor can help reassure your teen and facilitate open communication.
Listen and Validate Their Feelings: Encourage your teen to talk openly about their feelings and struggles without judgment. Let them know it's okay to feel the way they do and that you are there to support them.
Remove Access to Means of Suicide: Ensure firearms, medications, sharp objects, or other potential means of self-harm are inaccessible. Supervise access to any potentially harmful substances or environments.
Seek Professional Help: If your teen is in immediate danger, call 911 or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or take them to the nearest emergency room. Additionally, get your teen involved in counseling. Individual therapy and DBT skills group at Mindful Healing is designed specifically for teens and provides guidance and support in a time of crisis.
Stay Connected and Involved: Continue to talk to your teen about their feelings and experiences. Attend therapy sessions or doctor appointments with your teen to show your support and stay informed about their progress.
Educate Yourself About Suicide and Mental Health: Along with learning about the signs of suicidal ideation and mental health conditions that may contribute to these thoughts, it is important to educate yourself on available resources for your teen. These could be support services in your community or online.
Create a Supportive Environment: Promote regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep, which can support mental well-being. Help your teen manage academic and social pressures by encouraging relaxation techniques or hobbies they enjoy. Continue non-judgmental listening with your teen.
Monitor and Follow Up: Continue to monitor your teen’s behavior, mood changes, and any new signs of distress. Ensure your teen adheres to prescribed medications, therapy sessions, or other treatment recommendations.
Seek Support for Yourself: Managing a teen's mental health crisis can be emotionally draining for parents. Seek support from friends, family, or a therapist to help you cope. Consider pursuing parent coaching at Mindful Healing to learn skills to take care of both yourself and your teen.
Create a Safety Plan: Work with your teen and mental health professionals to create a safety plan outlining steps to take during a crisis. Identify triggers for suicidal thoughts and develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress. What can they do in the moment to prevent suicidal actions? Who can they call? Where can they go?
Suicide Prevention Month is a reminder for parents that with an understanding of why teens consider suicide, knowledge of warning signs, and a plan of action, they can be empowered when their teen starts having dark thoughts. Remember that help is available, and you are not alone. Your teen’s life matters, and there are people who care and want to help. Together, we can work towards a future where suicide is prevented and everyone has the support they need to thrive.
