Youth Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Parents

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Why do I need to watch for suicide?

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for those ages 10 to 24 in the U.S.
For each suicide death, family and close friends are at a higher risk for suicide themselves. If you are concerned, talk to your child immediately.
Knowing the risk factors and warning signs helps you help your child with concerns about himself or another student.
Asking directly about suicide tells your child it’s ok to talk about it with you.
Take all suicidal thoughts, threats, and behaviors seriously.
Most suicidal people want to end severe emotional pain.
Emotional pain makes it hard to think clearly, consider options, or remember reasons for living.

Risk factors

Prior suicide attempt

This is the strongest predictor of future attempts.

Substance use

Using alcohol and other drugs can be an attempt to self-medicate to ease the pain related to depression, traumatic events, or other issues.
96% of drug-related suicide attempts involved prescription drugs.

Mental illness

1 in 5 teens will have depression at some point.
Many teens with depression are undiagnosed.
Childhood depression often continues into adulthood, especially if left untreated

Interpersonal conflict

Conflicts are a basic part of everyday life. For youth, some conflicts can seem impossible to deal with. As an adult, listening with empathy and providing support is key.

Bullying: In-person or cyberbullying.
Trauma: Examples may include injury, assault, legal trouble, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
Relationship breakups: Impulsivity combined with potential inability to think through consequences before acting can increase risk for suicide following a breakup.
Sexting: Teach your children to never take images they don’t want family or future employers to see. Forwarding a sexual picture of a minor is a crime, even for a minor who forwards it.
Recent loss: Examples include moving, changing schools, divorce, or death of a loved one.
Sexual orientation/gender identity: LGBTQ+ youth are more likely than their non-LGBTQ+ peers to be depressed and attempt suicide.

Warning signs

Call 911 if:

A suicide attempt has been made
A weapon is present
The person is out of control

Take immediate action and call 800-231-1127 (Common Ground) if someone:

Makes a serious threat to kill himself or herself such as:
- "I wish I were dead."
- "If ...... doesn't happen, I'll kill myself."
- "What's the point of living?"
Looks for a way to carry out a suicide plan
Talks about death or suicide in text messages, on social media sites, or in poems/music
Gives away possessions

Call 800-231-1127 if someone exhibits uncharacteristic behavior such as:

Hopelessness
Rage, anger or seeking revenge
Reckless or risky behavior
Expressions of feeling trapped, like there's no way out
Alcohol or drug use
Withdrawal from family or friends
Anxiety, agitation, or sleep irregularity
Dramatic mood changes
Discussions of no reason for living or no sense of purpose
Depression

Prevention

What you can do right now:

Know suicide risk factors and warning signs.
Have a discussion with your child about what to do if they are concerned about themselves or a friend.
Teach skills in problem-solving and conflict resolution.
Maintain a supportive and involved relationship with your child.
Encourage involvement in sports, activities at school/place of worship, or volunteering.
Help your teen develop strong communication skills.
Get medical care for depression and substance use.
Don’t leave a depressed or suicidal teen home alone.
Most suicides occur in the early afternoon/evening in the teen’s home.

Remove these items or secure in your home:

Prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Keep medications, including vitamins with iron, where your kids or their friends cannot access.
- Don’t keep lethal doses of medication on hand. A pharmacist can advise you on safe quantities.
- Safely discard unused medications. Visit Operation Medicine Cabinet for drop-off locations
Alcohol and drugs
- Talk to your kids about substance use as a major risk factor for suicide.
- If your teen has a pattern of substance use, seek treatment services. Substance use could be an attempt to self-medicate a mental illness.
- Substance use makes youth more likely to choose lethal means, such as guns. Remove firearms from your home.
Poisons
- Lock up potentially harmful common household products, including household cleaners, products containing alcohol (such as mouthwash, hand sanitizer, etc.), and cosmetics (such as nail polish remover, perfume, etc.)
Guns
- Remove firearms from your home. More than half of all suicide deaths result from a gunshot wound.

Talking to your kids

How to start a conversation after a relationship breakup:

I am so sorry you are going through this.
What did you notice about yourself in the relationship?
What is positive? What would you like to change?
Were there patterns or issues that brought you into this relationship or caused it to end?
What are your goals in life?
Who are you on your own and how do you want to live your life?
What support do you need at this time?

How to start a conversation about suicide:

“I have been feeling concerned about you lately.”
“Lately, I’ve noticed some differences in you. How are you doing?”
"What happened? It might help to talk about it.”

Questions you can ask:

“When did you begin feeling like this?”
“Did something happen that made you start feeling this way?”
“How can I support you right now?”
“Could you tell me more about that?”

What to say that can help:

“You are not alone – I’m here for you.”
“I may not understand exactly how you feel, but I love you and want to help.”
“I think you feel there is no way out. Let’s talk about some options.”

Myths and Facts

Myth: A youth threatening suicide is not serious about it.
Fact: It's better to overestimate the risk of suicide and intervene than to ignore or minimize behaviors.

Myth: Suicide cannot be prevented because a suicidal youth will find a way to do it.
Fact: Most suicidal youth do not want to die, they want their pain to end. Recognizing the warning signs is key.

Myth: Talking about suicide will cause youth to attempt.
Fact: Talking about suicide reduces the risk. Be direct in a caring, non-confrontational way.