Crisis Support
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to a crisis resource.
How Parents Can Talk to Teens About Suicidal Thoughts
A structured overview of what credible sources and parent perspectives commonly say about this topic.
Quick answer
Parents should approach conversations about suicidal thoughts with direct, compassionate language, such as asking, 'Are you thinking about hurting yourself?' Options for support include mental health professionals, school counselors, and crisis hotlines like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
At a glance
Things to try now
What to do now
- 11. Ask gently but directly: 'Sometimes when people feel really down, they think about hurting themselves. Have you had thoughts like that?'
- 22. Listen carefully without interrupting or judging, showing empathy through phrases like 'That sounds really hard.'
- 33. Ensure the teen knows they are not alone and that help is available by saying, 'I'm here for you, and we can find support together.'
What to say
- “I want to understand what you’re going through because your feelings matter to me.”
- “It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, and talking about it can help us figure out what to do next.”
- “If you ever feel like hurting yourself, please tell me or someone you trust right away.”
What to practice consistently
- Regularly checking in on the teen’s emotional state without pressure
- Creating a home environment where feelings can be expressed safely
- Building knowledge about mental health resources and crisis contacts
What to avoid
- Dismissive responses like 'You’re just seeking attention' or 'It’s not that bad.'
- Reacting with anger, panic, or threats which can shut down communication
- Ignoring or minimizing warning signs or changes in behavior
These are common approaches mentioned in sources and by parents. They are informational, not prescriptive.
Related questions
Look for changes in mood, withdrawal, talking about death, giving away belongings, or risky behaviors.
Mental health therapists, school counselors, pediatricians, and crisis hotlines like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Maintain open communication, follow treatment plans, monitor safety, and encourage ongoing therapy.
Related articles on Parent.wiki
How Parents Can Foster a Growth Mindset in Children
Fostering a growth mindset in children involves encouraging them to see abilities as developable through effort and learning rather than fixed traits. Parents can support this by praising effort over innate talent, modeling resilience, and engaging in responsive, supportive interactions that promote steady progress.
How Parents Can Foster a Growth Mindset at Home
Encouraging a growth mindset at home involves praising effort rather than innate ability, responding warmly and promptly to children’s cues, and focusing on steady progress instead of comparison. Parents can use specific language that values learning from mistakes and persistence, creating an environment where children feel safe to try and grow.
Supporting Your Child's Math Learning at Home: Practical Strategies for Parents
Parents can support math learning at home by engaging children in everyday activities that build number sense, counting, and problem-solving skills. Responsive interactions, such as talking about numbers during daily routines and playing math-related games, help develop foundational math understanding from an early age.
Supporting Child Learning Without Library Access
Parents can support their children's learning at home without library access by engaging in responsive caregiving, interactive communication, and using everyday materials for educational activities. Key approaches include talking, reading, singing, and play-based learning, which build language and cognitive skills foundational to development.
From around the web
Talking to Teens About Suicide
Guidance on how parents can approach conversations about suicide with their teens.
American Academy of Pediatrics
Suicide Prevention
Information on suicide risk factors, prevention strategies, and resources.
CDC
Suicide Prevention Resources for Parents
Resources and research-based information on suicide prevention.
National Institute of Mental Health
How to Help a Suicidal Teen
Practical advice for parents supporting teens with suicidal thoughts.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Track what works
Coming soonUse Rosie to remember what you tried and whether it helped.