As caregivers and parents, one of our most crucial responsibilities is to support and protect our children’s mental health. Teen suicide is a deeply concerning issue that requires our attention and action. It’s a subject that may be difficult to broach, but open communication and understanding can save lives. In this blog post, we will explore how you, as a caregiver or parent, can play a vital role in preventing teen suicide.

Recognizing the Signs

Before we delve into how to support teens who may be struggling, it’s essential to understand the signs that may indicate a teen is in crisis. Some common warning signs include:

• Expressing feelings of hopelessness or despair.
• Withdrawing from friends and family.
• Changes in sleep patterns or appetite.
• Giving away personal belongings.
• Sudden shifts in mood or behavior.
• Decline in academic performance.

If you notice any of these signs in a teen you care about, it’s crucial to act promptly and with compassion.

Active Listening, Validation & Empathy

When a teen opens up about their feelings or struggles, active listening is key. Give them your full attention and allow them to express themselves without interruption. Sometimes, folks just need a safe space to talk and be heard. Try to modulate your reactions. Often when we are faced with difficult conversations with loved ones, or people we care about, their great hurt can hurt us too. Our parasympathetic nervous system often reacts to real or perceived hurt and so in addition to your emotional reactions to the complexities associated with all of these feelings, you might also be having very physical symptoms as well. Remember that in this moment you are giving of yourself to someone in great need and their nervous system is probably over stressed as well. Allow your feelings to come, acknowledge them, and let them pass as you are listening to your youth speak on their feelings. Give them the space to feel how they are feeling without adding what you are feeling into the mix of emotions. 

Validation is equally important. Let them know that their feelings are valid, and it’s okay to feel the way they do. Avoid judgment or criticism, and assure them that you are there to support them unconditionally. Practice empathy by imagining if you were feeling all of the feelings that were just revealed to you. Behave toward your young person the way you would want a gentle caretaker to approach you. When supporting a teen who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts, empathy can bridge the gap between feeling isolated and feeling understood. Express your concern genuinely and let them know you care deeply about their well-being. During this process, realize that as a parent or caretaker, when our loved one is in perceived danger, there is a strong desire to put forth solutions and ‘fix’ things. Sadness and suicidal thoughts can’t always be so quickly addressed. When giving validation it is important to root yourself in the present, avoid moving into future planning and ‘fix it’ solutions. This might make your loved one feel like their problems aren’t being properly heard or understood. 

Connecting to Professional Help

While your support is invaluable, it’s essential to know your limits. Recognize that you may not have all the answers or the professional expertise needed to address their crisis. It’s okay to seek help from mental health professionals, counselors, or therapists. Initiating this conversation with your loved one is crucial. Emphasize that seeking professional help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Offer to research and help them find a suitable mental health expert or crisis hotline. 

Create a plan for safety

While your loved one is struggling with suicide, help them by removing dangerous objects from the home. Secure or remove firearms and any other potentially lethal items. It’s important to note that nearly half of youth suicides involve firearms, and such attempts are tragically almost always fatal. The safest course of action during a period when your teen is struggling with suicidal thoughts is to entirely eliminate access to guns and ammunition. Many families choose to entrust their firearms to relatives or trusted individuals to safeguard their teen during this vulnerable period.

It’s crucial to recognize that firearms aren’t the sole method your child might contemplate for self-harm. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can pose significant risks during a crisis. Families should store medications in a locked space and, whenever possible, reduce the quantity of medications readily available. Additionally, consider purchasing over-the-counter medications in blister packs rather than bottles to slow access to pills.

There are other items and substances that can also be lethal, and it’s important to consider securing them as well:

• Alcohol
• Illicit drugs
• Household cleaning products and other toxic substances
• Compressed air dusters
• Inhalants
• Antifreeze
• Sharp objects such as knives and razors
• Ligatures like ropes, belts, or plastic bags

While the task of securing or removing these items and substances may seem daunting, it’s essential to prioritize your child’s safety. Suicide attempts often occur impulsively, and a crisis can escalate rapidly. Ensuring that your loved one cannot access lethal means during these vulnerable moments is of paramount importance

Maintain Ongoing Communication

Preventing teen suicide is an ongoing process. Even if your teen appears to be doing better, maintain open lines of communication. Regularly check in with them, ask about their feelings and concerns, and continue to be a source of support.

Preventing teen suicide is a collective effort that requires love, understanding, and communication. As caregivers and parents, you have the power to make a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of the teens in your life. Remember that it’s okay to ask for help from professionals when needed. Together, we can create an environment where teens feel safe, valued, and supported, reducing the risk of teen suicide and fostering healthier, happier lives.