As a parent, you want what is best for your children, and in the complex stages of hormones and adolescence, emotions can be awry. Although fluctuations in mood and figuring out core pieces of identity are a staple of growing up, at what point should you open the conversation about teen suicide prevention when feelings seem to worsen?
Although a difficult conversation, opening the space between you and your teen about teen suicide prevention is crucial to creating and maintaining a safe space. Understanding warning signs, the importance of communication, and knowing when to connect with resources can help decrease the likelihood of teen suicide.
What Risk Factors Can Teens Present?
There is not a catch-all indicator of suicidal thoughts in teens, but there may be warning signs and risk factors that you and others can pay attention to early on. Although depression and suicide can be linked, a common misconception is that depression equals suicidal behaviors. However, not all teens who are depressed are suicidal, and not all who are suicidal are depressed.
Having a mental health condition does not mean that a teen will experience suicidal thoughts. However, certain mental health conditions and experiences can increase vulnerability, particularly when combined with other risk factors.
Potential Risks
- Health
- Depression
- Personality disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Traits of aggression or mood swings
- Relationship struggles
- Environmental
- Exposure to suicide
- Prolonged stress (divorce, bullying, life transitions)
- Drugs and/or alcohol
- Access to weapons
- Stigma regarding sexuality
- History
- Past suicide attempts
- Generational instances of suicide/suicidal attempts
- Family history of mental health concerns
- Childhood abuse
- Generational trauma
What Are Potential Warning Signs?
- Teens may talk about:
- Killing themselves
- Hopelessness
- Having no ambition or reason to live
- Feeling trapped
- Experiencing unbearable pain
- Feeling like a burden
- Grades dropping
- Problems with eating
- Sleeping issues (too much or too little sleep)
- Isolating from family and friends
- Withdrawing from hobbies
- Changes in behavior
- Calling or saying goodbye to others
- Shame
- Sudden relief or improvement, particularly following a period of significant distress
- Self-harm
It is important to remember that these signs do not automatically mean that a teen is suicidal. However, noticeable changes in behavior or mood, especially when several signs occur together, can be a reason to check in with your teen and seek additional support.
How to Help Your Teen
Seeing these behaviors can be terrifying as a parent, but taking the right steps can help your teen stay safe. The most important thing is that your teen feels confident and comfortable in their safe spaces and knows that they can approach you. Listen to concerns with empathy and recognize that events like a breakup might not seem that big, but to them can feel intense. Building trust in communication allows for a foundation for conversations.
Expressing your concern is the first step. If you believe your teen may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, sharing your thoughts and feelings can send the signal that you care and are worried about them. Ensure that you maintain your relationship. Isolation can worsen symptoms, so even doing small things like playing, doing activities, or watching TV can help. Additionally, remind them that you care for them and express your affection.
If your teen denies suicidal thoughts but your judgment tells you otherwise, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Take further safety measures, such as creating a safety plan and reaching out for support.
Removing or securely storing access to weapons and other potentially dangerous means can be an important part of keeping your teen safe. Contacting mental health support professionals right away is also very important. Finding your teen a physician who can help and a therapist who specializes in teen therapy, like Evolve Therapy Group, can help navigate suicidal behaviors and provide additional support.
What If Your Teen Needs Urgent Help?
There are resources available for emergencies. If your teen is experiencing a mental health crisis, calling or texting 988 will connect you with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, where trained crisis counselors can provide support and help determine what resources or next steps may be appropriate.
Additionally, call 911 if you believe your teen may need more urgent help such as if they’re a danger to themselves or others.
Other options may include taking your teen to a nearby emergency center or emergency mental health clinic if one is nearby, depending on the situation and guidance from a medical or mental health professional.
Identify Risks, Watch for Signs, Communicate, Act
Navigating mental health and suicide can be one of the most difficult challenges for a parent with their teen. However, keeping track of risks, signs, opening up the channels of communication, and acting if needed can mean all the difference in teen suicide prevention.
If you ever begin to have concerns, never hesitate to reach out to a therapist who specializes in Teen Therapy, like those at Evolve Therapy Group. Always consult resources like physicians or emergency services if needed.
