What to Say to a Suicidal Teenager

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Table of Contents

What to Know About Teen Suicide

What to Say

Prioritze Safety

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While some may think of it as a colloquialism, hearing your teenager say something like, “I should just go kill myself,” should be an immediate cause for alarm.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers between 15 and 19.Family and friends of teens who commit suicide are often stunned, saying they never imagined their loved one would actually do it. This is why it’s important to address it right away if your teenager brings up the subject of suicide, even if you think it’s a bid for attention.

Keep reading to learn more about how to address the subject of suicide with your teenager and learn about actions you can take to save their life.

Press Play to Learn More About Suicide & Suicidal Ideation

If your teen is talking about or threatening to commit suicide, there are some things you should understand. Teens contemplating suicide likely feel utterlyhopelessor out of control and are unable to cope.The pain they are experiencing is intense and substantial, and, in that moment, suicide likely seems the only way out.

However, there is still a part of your teen that doesn’t really want to die. Suicidal teens are just looking for a way to stop their emotional pain, and learning healthycoping mechanismscan help with that.

Warning SignsThe majorwarning signthat a teen may be suicidal is talking about or threatening suicide. Mood swings, changes in routine, withdrawal from friends and family, risky or self-destructive behaviors, and giving away possessions are also signs a child may be thinking about or at risk of suicide.

Warning Signs

The majorwarning signthat a teen may be suicidal is talking about or threatening suicide. Mood swings, changes in routine, withdrawal from friends and family, risky or self-destructive behaviors, and giving away possessions are also signs a child may be thinking about or at risk of suicide.

College and Teen Suicide Statistics

What to Say to a Suicidal Teenager

If you suspect your teen is considering suicide, talk about it immediately.Take it seriously and don’t dismiss it as acting out, looking for attention, or teenage drama.

Some believe talking about suicide with someone will plant suicidal ideas in their heads, however, it does the very opposite.In fact, addressing the topic head-on can help your teen identify the problem and create a plan for what to do if they have suicidal thoughts or behaviors. It can teach them how to ask for help.

To encourage your teen to talk to you about their feelings, try these strategies:

It is also important to ask if your teen has a specific plan for suicide. The more specific the plan, the higher the risk.

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After gaining a better understanding of the situation at hand, it’s important to offer your teen emotional support. The following are suggestions you can adapt to best fit you, your teen, and the situation:

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Make Safety the Top Priority

Factors that can increase the risk of teen suicide include having a psychiatric condition (such asdepressionoranxiety), bullying issues, interpersonal issues, andsubstance use. Getting your teen help with these issues is also an important part of suicide prevention.

Summary

Teen suicide is a serious concern and you should never dismiss suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Take any sign of suicide seriously, show your child understanding and compassion, and ensure that they are safe until you can get them the help that they need. It may also be helpful for you as a parent to seek therapy to process the emotions of experiencing this with your child and to learn the best ways to help them.

If you or your child are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or your child are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

How to Help a Loved One Who Is Feeling Suicidal

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.CDC Wonder.Underlying cause of death, 1999-2020 results: Deaths occurring through 2020.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk and protective factors.Suicide Prevention Lifeline.We can all prevent suicide.Suicide Prevention Lifeline.Help someone else.Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (BPBH) Office of Suicide Prevention.The myths and facts of youth suicide.American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Suicide in children and teens.Minnesota Department of Health.Suicidal Ideation Risk Assessment.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.CDC Wonder.Underlying cause of death, 1999-2020 results: Deaths occurring through 2020.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk and protective factors.Suicide Prevention Lifeline.We can all prevent suicide.Suicide Prevention Lifeline.Help someone else.Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (BPBH) Office of Suicide Prevention.The myths and facts of youth suicide.American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Suicide in children and teens.Minnesota Department of Health.Suicidal Ideation Risk Assessment.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

CDC Wonder.Underlying cause of death, 1999-2020 results: Deaths occurring through 2020.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk and protective factors.Suicide Prevention Lifeline.We can all prevent suicide.Suicide Prevention Lifeline.Help someone else.Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (BPBH) Office of Suicide Prevention.The myths and facts of youth suicide.American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Suicide in children and teens.Minnesota Department of Health.Suicidal Ideation Risk Assessment.

CDC Wonder.Underlying cause of death, 1999-2020 results: Deaths occurring through 2020.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk and protective factors.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline.We can all prevent suicide.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline.Help someone else.

Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (BPBH) Office of Suicide Prevention.The myths and facts of youth suicide.

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Suicide in children and teens.

Minnesota Department of Health.Suicidal Ideation Risk Assessment.

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