For Immediate Crisis, Call and/or Text:

How to talk to your own teen: 

Talk to your kids to establish that they can talk to you, and to establish a baseline of their knowledge and understanding

• You already teach them life skills
• They are accustomed to learning from you
• Talking about suicide won’t plant the idea
• If you don’t talk to them and teach them, who will?

Ask them: 

• “Do you know about the Yellow Ribbon program?”
• “Do you know anyone who has talked of suicide?”
• “You can come talk to me about suicide”
• “Do you know anyone who has attempted suicide?”
• “Have you ever thought of attempting suicide?”
• “What can I do to help?” “We are in this together!”

How to Respond if their answer is yes I need help

• Breathe! Catch your breath!
• Be genuine, caring, and show respect.
• Don’t lie or make promises you can’t keep. 
• Tell them:

“I am glad you called/came/talked to me”

“I do care. Tell me what’s happening in your life”.

“How can I help”?

“Let’s find someone who can help you get through this”.

Tips for preparing to have the conversation with your teen/youth

• Identify your resources
• Identify a buddy you can call
• Remember to say the “S” word
• Choose an appropriate time to talk with them

Often, what appears to be a singular, external pressure or occurrence is merely “the last straw” when added to ongoing stressors, depression and/or hopelessness.  Suicide is the result of a long-term “wearing-away”, an erosion of a person’s ability to cope.  The more warning signs shown and risk factors present, the higher the risk.

Warning Signs

• Acting differently than they normally do
• Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself
• Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Displaying extreme mood swings
• Giving away possessions

Risk Factors

• Previous Suicide Attempt
• Problems with school or the law
• Breakup of a romance
• Unexpected pregnancy
• A stressful family life (having parents who are depressed or are substance abusers, or a family history of suicide)
• Loss of security…fear of authority, peers, group or gang members
• Stress due to new situations: college or relocating to a new community
• Failing in school or failing to pass an important test
• A serious illness or injury to oneself
• Seriously injuring another person or causing another person’s death (example: automobile accident)
• Major loss…of a loved one, a home, divorce in the family, a trauma, a relationship

Suicide victims are not trying to end their life – they are trying to end the pain!