09/25/2025
Nationally, su***de is the second leading cause of death for 10- to 19-year-olds.
Most children and adolescents who attempt su***de show warning signs.Su***de in children and adolescents is a major public health issue; Affecting people of all backgrounds.
However, there are ways to decrease risk and help young people navigate crises. Most children and adolescents who attempt su***de show warning signs. It is vital that families are aware of these signs and discuss concerns, ideally prior to a life-threatening mental health crisis.
According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2019, approximately 1 in 5 high school students reported seriously considering su***de in the past year. Additionally, 1 in 11 high school students indicated they had made a su***de attempt within the past year and almost 2.5% receive medical attention for a su***de attempt. Research is helping us better understand youth su***de.
Su***de attempts are far more common than deaths by su***de, but any suicidal behavior is serious and can have lasting consequences. Most teens who are suicidal do not actually want death. They are in severe emotional pain and want the pain to stop. They may not know how to move forward and are unsure if there are ways to feel better.
A video from the Kids Mental Health Foundation, focuses on great ways to have these types of conversations with younger generations!
https://www.kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org/mental-health-resources/su***de-prevention/kids-su***de-conversation
Here are some notes from the video, on how to check in with your kids and teens about their mental health:
-Do not wait for a crisis to talk about emotions and safety concerns. Many times, we respond to a child when there is a crisis, but part of preventing su***de is being aware of mental health issues before things become overwhelming. This can mean asking about how they are doing at the dinner table or during car rides and letting them know you will be there for them no matter how difficult their struggles may be.
-Check in regularly about their lives, how they are doing, and how you can support them.
-Ask open-ended questions that can’t be answered with “yes/no” or “IDK” to allow for a deeper conversation. Beginning your questions with “What...” can be a great place to start.
-Provide emotional space to talk. Many children believe they shouldn’t show their emotions to “be strong” but research has shown that addressing difficult emotions head on can reduce how intense and how long they last. Allow them to share whatever they are feeling and normalize all emotions. Validate their difficulty managing intense emotions.
-Look for changes in mood or behavior that might be a warning sign that something is wrong. For example, if your child seems really down, they stop doing things they normally enjoy, or you notice significant changes in eating or sleeping.
-Ask directly if they have had thoughts of ending their own life. Even if your child is not struggling with su***de or depression, asking the question shows your child that it is healthy to talk about serious emotional concerns and that you are willing to talk about hard things. It also models for them how to seek support from other trusted adults and the importance of reaching out to check in on friends and family.
**If you're struggling, know that you're not alone—and that support is available. Taking care of your mental health is not a sign of weakness, but a step toward healing. Whether it's through a trusted friend, a therapist, or a support line, reaching out is an act of strength. You matter, and help is always within reach.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, you can call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline—it's free, confidential, and available 24/7. You can also visit 988lifeline.org for more resources, including chat support. Or text HOPELINE to 741741 or chat with the Centeer for Su***de Awarness Crisis Lifeline.
For support specific to the LGBTQ+ community, The Trevor Project offers 24/7 crisis counseling via chat, phone, or text at 1-866-488-7386 or text "START" to 678678. Or dialing (877) 565-8860, for the Trans-Lifeline.
For support or resources specific to Veteran Su***de Awareness visit https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/, or text 838255; You can also dial 988, & press 1
Your well-being matters. Please take gentle care of yourself—and know that there is always hope and we are here to help.**
Creating a safe space to talk about su***de can save a child’s life. We have steps that can make a big difference for a young person and get them on the pathway to living an emotionally healthy life.
