Educational Resources
Understanding youth suicide risk and how to help
Learn how to recognize warning signs of suicide in children and teens, start supportive conversations, and connect young people with mental health care.
A young person who is struggling may not know how to explain what they feel.
A parent might notice they have stopped spending time with friends. A teacher or coach may see a student becoming unusually withdrawn.
Sometimes, the first sign is a comment that leaves an adult wondering whether to say something. Those moments deserve attention and can start with a simple question: “How are you doing?”
Youth suicide prevention involves recognizing concerns, making room for honest conversations, and helping young people connect with care. Adults can take these steps even when they are unsure what to say.
Pay attention to changes
Emotional distress can affect how young people feel and function.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression in children and teens may appear as irritability rather than sadness. Changes in sleep, difficulty concentrating, or losing interest in favorite activities can also indicate a need for support. These changes warrant a conversation and, when appropriate, an evaluation by a healthcare professional.
Suicide risk is complex. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes that suicide rarely results from one event or circumstance. Mental health conditions, bullying, loss, and social isolation can contribute to risk. Supportive relationships and access to care can help protect young people.
Warning signs that call for prompt action, according to SAMHSA, include:
- Talking about wanting to die or making plans for suicide
- Expressing hopelessness about the future
- Describing overwhelming emotional pain
- Withdrawing from others or showing concerning changes in sleep, anger, or agitation, particularly alongside the signs above
Take these actions and conversations seriously, especially when they are new or intensifying.
Ask directly and listen
If you are concerned about suicide, do not be fearful of directly asking if the person you love is thinking about suicide. Asking directly does not increase suicidal thoughts or behavior. It gives the young person an opportunity to tell you what is happening.
Give them time to answer. Listen without judgment and resist the urge to immediately offer solutions. A response thanking them for telling you and letting them know that you want to help can acknowledge their pain while connecting them with support.
Validating their feelings means taking their pain seriously, even when you understand the situation differently. A problem that seems manageable to an adult may feel overwhelming to a young person.
Avoid minimizing their experience or making them feel guilty. Keep the conversation focused on understanding their distress and getting help.
Take the next step together
If a young person shares suicidal thoughts, seek help promptly. Stay with them while connecting with crisis support or a healthcare professional who can assess their safety. If they say they intend to act, do not leave them alone.
Do not promise to keep suicidal thoughts secret. Explain that you need to involve people who can help keep them safe. Call 911 for an immediate, life-threatening emergency.
Parents and caregivers should also reduce access to potentially lethal items. Secure medications and prevent access to firearms. Ask a healthcare professional to help identify and address other risks in the home, including items that could be used for suffocation or strangulation.
Because some hazards are difficult to remove entirely, discuss what supervision and level of care the young person needs to stay safe. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends safety planning with a healthcare professional, including identifying warning signs, coping strategies, and people to contact when distress increases.
For young people worried about a friend, the next step is to tell a trusted adult. Caring about someone does not mean managing their safety alone.
After immediate safety needs are addressed, families can explore mental health treatment for adolescents to understand options for ongoing care.
Build connection before a crisis
Everyday conversations create opportunities to notice when something changes. Spend time together without making every interaction about school performance or responsibilities. Ask what has been difficult and what kind of support would help.
Help young people identify trusted adults they can approach, including someone outside their immediate family. Feeling connected at home, at school, and in the community can help protect against suicide risk.
Encourage healthy ways to manage everyday stress, such as listening to music, writing, or spending time outside. Ask what helps them feel supported, and keep checking in after the first conversation and aftercare begins. Young people need to know they can speak honestly about their pain and that adults will help them find support.
Continue care with Rosecrance
Once a healthcare professional has assessed a young person’s safety and addressed immediate risk, ongoing treatment can help them manage the concerns behind their distress and strengthen skills for daily life.
Rosecrance Behavioral Health offers mental health treatment for adolescents, including individual, group, and family therapy, psychiatric services, and medication management. Depending on the young person’s needs, care may include outpatient appointments, more structured outpatient programming, or residential treatment. An assessment helps guide the appropriate level of support.
Through outpatient services for youth and adolescents, young people can learn to recognize triggers, manage emotions, and build coping and communication skills while staying in their home environment. Family involvement can help parents and caregivers better understand their child’s needs and support progress at home.
Find a Rosecrance location near you to learn about services and next steps for your family.