In Part II of our series we continue our conversation about what parents should know about youth suicide. Today we’ll be narrowing in on how do you know if your child is suicidal?  In addition, we divide this subject into two parts.  How can I tell if my teen is suicidal and how can I tell if my younger child is suicidal?  As we’ve mentioned before, many, many parents do not realize until it is too late that even young children can be vulnerable to suicide.

For some young people, being overwhelmed by a problem and being impulsive proves a lethal combination.  Furthermore, many coming of age experiences can be triggers for suicide in teens and children.  For example, break-ups, failing a test, feeling like you don’t fit in, etc. can, in some cases, make a young person suicidal. Above all, young people don’t have the same tools or life experiences to necessarily bounce back from hardships the way an adult might. 

Additionally, young people are not known for their patience and great judgement. In a crisis they may reach for a firearm or things in the home they can use to end their life.  (If your child or teen is acting erratic, volatile, or has mentioned suicide and there are firearms in the house, lock them up. Firearms used in a suicide attempt are nearly always fatal.)

Certainly if you begin to worry that your child or teen is suffering from poor mental health, depression, or suicidal thoughts, talk to them.  Ask them directly, “Have you ever thought about killing yourself?” Don’t wait for them to come to you. For instance, if there behavior has changed, they’ve gone through a triggering event like a hardship or a breakup, etc. it’s time to talk to your child.  If you do not know how to help them with their crisis, go talk to a mental health counselor.  Remember, it is ok to not have all the answers.  Importantly, you can help your child find someone that they can talk to who has more tools to help.