A Gentle Reminder This Suicide Awareness Month

No parent wants to imagine their teen struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide. The possibility can feel overwhelming, leaving you unsure of what to look for, what to say or where to turn for help.

Suicidal thoughts are more common in youth today than you may realize, with one in ten high school students saying they have attempted suicide. But the good news is that early recognition can save lives! Seeing the warning signs early and responding with compassion can make a meaningful difference. While self-harm and suicidal thoughts should always be taken seriously, they are treatable, and many teens go on to heal and thrive with the right support.

September is Suicide Awareness Month, a time to talk openly about suicide prevention with youth in your home. Recognizing suicidal thoughts in teens and reaching out can change everything. This guide will help you recognize common warning signs, start supportive conversations and understand when it’s time to seek professional care so your teen doesn’t have to face these challenges alone.

Understanding Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts in Teens

Self-harm and suicidal thoughts are different conditions that both deserve serious attention and compassionate support. While the two conditions may occur simultaneously, either one can happen without the other.

Self-Harm

Self-harm, also referred to as nonsuicidal self-injury, is a way to cope with overwhelming feelings by purposefully injuring oneself. It is not an illness, but rather a behavior that stems from underlying challenges like severe anxiety, depression, trauma or other emotional distress.

Warning signs of self-harm may include:

• Patterns of scars from frequent cutting or burning
• Fresh cuts, scratches, bruises, bite marks or other wounds
• Excessive rubbing of an area to create a burn
• Sharp objects or other items used for self-injury hidden in bedroom or backpack
• Wearing long sleeves or long pants to hide self-injury, regardless of weather
• Frequent claims of accidental injury or excuses for noticed injuries
• Struggles connecting with others and withdrawal from relationships
• Impulsive, intense and unexpected changes in behaviors and emotions
• Talk of feeling helpless, hopeless or worthless

Suicidal Thoughts

Suicidal thoughts involve a desire to end one’s life. Similar to self-harm, it happens when a teen feels overwhelmed or hopeless, has experienced trauma or is struggling with other emotional distress.

The warning signs of suicidal thoughts can vary and should always be taken seriously. Some signs a teen may be having suicidal thoughts include:

• Talking about suicide. Saying things like “I’m going to kill myself,” “I wish I were dead,” or “I wish I hadn’t been born.”

• Creating a plan. Buying a gun or stockpiling pills.

• Social withdrawal and wanting to be left alone.

• Mood swings, like being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next.

• Substance use. Frequent or increased use of alcohol or drugs.

• Hopelessness. Expressing feeling trapped or hopeless in a situation.

• Changes in habits. Noticeable changes in routines such as eating or sleeping habits.

• Risky behaviors. Taking self-destructive risks like using drugs or reckless driving.

• Saying goodbye. Giving away important belongings, writing goodbye letters or getting their affairs in order when there’s no other logical reason to do so.
• Personality changes. Suddenly being severely anxious, irritated or withdrawn.

Not every teen who shows one of these signs is experiencing a mental health crisis. However, if you notice several warning signs, a sudden change in behavior or your instincts tell you something isn’t right, trust your concerns and start the conversation.

How to Respond with Compassion and Care

Recognizing suicidal thoughts in teens or signs of self-harm is the first step. The next step is responding to the warning signs with compassion, care and understanding. Starting the conversation about self-harm or suicide can be nerve-wracking as a parent or caregiver. The most important thing is to let your teen know that you are there for them and that you’re listening.

Before starting the conversation, be prepared to:

• Listen without judgment
• Have the conversation in a safe, comfortable space
• Validate their feelings and use supportive phrases
• Stay calm and maintain a relaxed, soothing tone
• Use “I” statements instead of “you” statements
• Provide other resources for support if needed
• Care for yourself afterwards — you deserve to feel safe as well 

It’s okay if you aren’t sure what to say. Here are a few simple questions for easing into the conversation:

• “I feel like you haven’t been yourself lately, and I want to check in. Can we talk?”
• “I want to respect your privacy, but I’m worried about you. Do you mind if I ask you how you’re doing?”
• “I care about you, and I can tell something is wrong. Can you talk to me about it?”
• “I know you’ve been having a difficult time recently. Can you tell me what has been going on?”

If you see significant warning signs of suicidal thoughts in your teen or someone you care about, don’t hesitate to be direct in a compassionate, supportive manner.

Experts at Children’s Mercy recommend asking about thoughts, plans and attempts:

• Thoughts: “Have you wished you were dead or wished you could go to sleep and not wake up?”

• Plans: “Have you been thinking about how you might do this?”
• Attempts: “Do you intend to carry out this plan, or have you tried to in the past?”

Keeping Your Teen Safe Right Now

The purpose of recognizing signs of suicidal thoughts in teens is keeping them safe. If they are showing warning signs of suicidal thoughts or have expressed a desire to end their life, take immediate action to ensure their safety. Restrict any means by safely storing medications, sharp objects and firearms. This is important to create a space for help to work. When possible, create a safety plan with your teen for future challenges.

When and How to Get Professional Help

If your teen requires immediate professional help, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or get help online. Those in Kansas or Missouri can also call Camber Mental Health at 913-890-7468 to find children’s psychiatric treatment near you. Many families benefit from specialized youth mental health programs that offer therapeutic support tailored to teens, like those offered at Camber hospitals.

If your teen is in the LGBTQ+ community, reach out to the Trevor Project’s 24/7 suicide hotline for immediate crisis support.

If action has been taken or someone is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Long-Term Support and Building Connection

Continuing to support and care for your teen during and after treatment is just as important as that very first conversation. Suicide prevention doesn’t end after a single check-in, but is an ongoing process of connecting with your teen and showing them you’re available when they need help.

Keep checking in with your teen to stay involved in their life and establish yourself as a safe person to go to in crisis. Encourage them to practice self-care and healthy coping skills by demonstrating them yourself, and continue to stay involved with their school and care teams. 

Remember to Take Care of Yourself Too

Supporting a teen through thoughts of self-harm or suicidal thoughts can feel incredibly heavy. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, scared or even guilty as a parent or caregiver. You cannot pour from an empty cup, so it is important to reach out for your own support while you are helping your child. 

Talk to a trusted friend, partner or your own doctor about what you are going through. Many parents find it helpful to connect with resources like NAMI or a therapist who understands the unique stress of supporting a child in crisis. Taking small steps to care for yourself is not selfish. It helps you stay present for your teen when they need you most.

You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone

Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not failure. Every conversation, every appointment and every step toward treatment is an investment in your teen’s future. Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but with compassionate support and evidence-based care, hope is always possible.

If you or someone you know is struggling, Camber offers compassionate programs designed to meet teens where they are. When a teen arrives at Camber, our first priority is helping them feel safe. Our multidisciplinary team completes a thorough assessment, stabilizes immediate concerns and develops an individualized treatment plan. Throughout treatment, we partner closely with families because healing works best when parents and caregivers are involved.

Contact Camber Admissions at (913) 890-7468 or admissions@cambermh.org if your teen needs specialized, trauma-informed mental health care. Your teen’s story is still being written, and there is hope and help available every step of the way.