Brightline team
Sep 12, 2024
As a parent or caregiver who wants their child to be safe and healthy, talking about suicide can feel scary. But it’s an important conversation to have.
Knowing the risk factors and warning signs of suicide can help you keep your child safe and supported.
Understanding the facts
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. for children, teens, and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24. We also know that even youth younger than 10 years old experience suicidal ideation.
Many factors can raise a child’s risk, including:
Mental health challenges
Alcohol and substance abuse
Struggling with sexual orientation or gender identity
Family history of suicide
Bullying
Signs your child may be struggling
Sometimes it becomes difficult to manage big emotions and youth begin to experience intense and persistent thoughts of hurting or killing themselves.
Signs may include:
Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
Withdrawal from friends and/or activities
Changes in sleeping and/or eating habits
Loss of energy and/or more irritability or frustration
Substance use
Difficulty tolerating distress in other forms, like anxiety
How to help your child
Talk about your own mental health. You don’t have to handle your own emotions perfectly. It’s about showing them that you are able to find healthy ways to cope with stress on a day-to-day basis.
Keep the door to conversation open. Let your child know they can always come to you with their feelings, even when it feels hard or confusing. If they aren’t comfortable talking with you, give them other options. Mention another trusted adult they can rely on like a family member, teacher, counselor, or coach. You can also seek help from a coach or therapist.
Watch your child’s behaviors. Sometimes kids don’t have the words (or desire) to express how they’re really feeling. If you see something that concerns you (for example, your child is withdrawing from activities they typically enjoy), talk with them about why or ask a professional for help.
Get support from Brightline
Our coaches and therapists have years of experience helping kids express feelings and manage difficult experiences. And our parent resources can help you connect with your child about challenging topics, including bullying, depression, and suicide.
If you or your child need more support discussing suicide or processing difficult emotions, Brightline is here to help. Sign up or sign in for helpful resources and access to coaching and therapy.
Note: If your child has talked about suicide or hurting themself or anyone else, it’s important that you seek support immediately. An expert can assess their risk and help you come up with a safety plan. If you’re not sure who to talk to, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. (You can also chat from your computer with a trained counselor at 988lifeline.org.). Additional resources are available at hellobrightline.com/safety. If this is an emergency and you’re concerned that your child will immediately harm themselves or others, call 911.
