What not to say: “You have nothing to be sad about,” “Other kids have it worse,” “You’re just looking for attention” and “Don’t be dramatic.” Instead, say: “I’m glad you told me,” “I’m here with you” and “We’re going to figure this out together.” Another great step is to create a safety plan. After expressing thoughts of suicide, creating a plan with your child for those days when they’re having suicidal thoughts or feeling sad and lonely can be important. Take practical safety measures like removing access to guns and conducting room checks. Also, look for ways to lean into the things they love or avoid things that aren’t helpful. If you believe your child is in immediate danger of hurting themselves, call emergency services or seek immediate medical help. If your child has never been to therapy, but is open to the idea, this could be a great time to start! While having conversations at home will help you better understand where your child is at, a licensed therapist who specializes in child psychiatry and mental health can help make sense of your child’s emotions and work one-on-one with your family. Not quite ready for this step? That’s okay! Speaking to a pediatrician or a primary
can be even more difficult. Questions like, “Should I ask directly if they’re thinking about suicide?” or “What if they say yes?” can float around. Experts recommend asking directly and calmly. Listen without judgment. Take every mention seriously and seek professional help immediately if needed. College Age/Young Adults Your child has now probably moved out of the house at this stage—how can you tell if they’re struggling? How often should you check in? Show interest and be supportive. Be direct, and ask them if they are considering suicide or have a plan. Don’t be judgmental, give advice or try to talk them out of suicide (and don’t swear to secrecy). What to Do Now? Say you’ve approached your child directly about where they are at mentally. You’ve taken an important first step! Here are some questions to ask your child: How have you been feeling lately? I’ve noticed you’ve been down; can you tell me more about that? It seems like you’ve been sad more often. Did something happen at school? Sometimes when people are feeling the way you are, they think about suicide—have you ever had those thoughts before?
care provider can be another great step for navigating where your child is at and accessing helpful resources in your area. Prevention & Resources By educating ourselves, we can learn what puts kids at the greatest risk for suicide and what protects them. Awareness of risk factors and warning signs, making ourselves available, and practicing assisting children in the awareness that help is always available are key roles in building a child’s mental health. Parents should seek immediate help if a child talks about wanting to die or kill themselves, has a plan or access to lethal means, gives away possessions or says goodbye, expresses hopelessness or feeling like a burden, or shows sudden, dramatic behavioral changes after a period of depression. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Anyone experiencing emotional distress or concerned about someone else can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for immediate support. Parents don’t need to have perfect answers. They simply need to be willing to ask hard questions, listen without judgment and remind their children that they never have to face life’s hardest moments alone.
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 41
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