Finding out that your teen has been having suicidal thoughts can be devastating. You may feel lost and totally unprepared to handle this situation, but it’s crucial to be there for your child.

Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among high school-aged students, so if your teen is experiencing suicidal ideation, don’t wait to get help. In this article, we’ll explain when to take suicidal ideation seriously, how to find the right treatment options for your teen, and how to talk to your teenager about suicidal ideation.

When to take suicidal ideation seriously

Teenagers often deal with intense emotional experiences, so it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether they’re dealing with expected teen emotions or if they’re experiencing suicidal ideation. Here are a few warning signs that can point to suicidal ideation in your teenager:

• Talking about killing themselves or saying they wish they were dead
• Seeming to feel hopeless or as if they have no reason to live
• Worrying about being a burden to others
• Seeming to experience a lot of emotional pain
• Increasing their use of alcohol or drugs
• Searching online for methods of suicide or attempt to stockpile pills
• Withdrawing from activities they used to love
• Isolating themselves from family and friends
• Changing their sleeping or eating patterns significantly
• Giving away possessions and saying goodbye to people as if they’ll never see them again
• Experiencing significant anxiousness or agitation
• Acting irritable toward others or experiencing significant mood swings, such as feeling very emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next

One or two of these symptoms on their own don’t necessarily mean your teenager is experiencing suicidal ideation. However, these signs shouldn’t be ignored. They can be indications that your teen is struggling with their mental health. 

If your teen is experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate support.

How to find the right treatment option

Figuring out the right treatment for your teen with suicidal ideation can be a challenge. Depending on the severity of your child’s mental health condition, there are different levels of care they may need.

• One-on-one therapy — If your teen is struggling with their mental health, weekly therapy sessions may be the treatment they need. A licensed clinical therapist can help them understand why they’re thinking and feeling this way and help them learn coping skills to manage those thoughts.

• Intensive outpatient program — If your teen requires more support than weekly therapy sessions to help with their suicidal ideations, an Intensive outpatient program (IOP) may better fit their needs. This is a structured, short-term program that offers more support than traditional therapy without interfering with your teen’s regular school day. They will receive intensive support for their mental health and learn coping skills to help them day to day.

• Partial hospitalization program — For teens who need a high level of care, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) may be best for them. This type of program is for teens who are experiencing mental health symptoms that actively interfere with their ability to function in school and day to day. A PHP offers more focused treatment time and closer monitoring of behavioral issues. It’s a great way to help your teen learn to manage their mental health and slowly transition back to everyday life.

• Psychiatric hospitalization — If your teen needs constant care and mental health treatment for suicidal ideation, they may get the best support from psychiatric hospitalization. Psychiatric hospitalization is short-term, 24/7 emergency care and is often the best option for people who may be a danger to themselves or others.

No matter what level of care your teen needs, help is available. Your mental health professional can help you determine what kind of support will be best for your child.

How to talk to your teen about suicidal ideation

Talking to your teen about suicidal ideation is never easy, but it’s important to communicate with and support them. Here are a few ways to talk to your teen about their mental health:

• Provide support — Listen to your teen’s concerns and feelings and tell them you’re here to support them. Don’t hide from their negative feelings. Instead, listen to what they have to say; then offer support to help them navigate this situation.

• Be honest — Let them be honest with you, and be honest in return. Talk through their challenges and validate their feelings. Then, gently remind them that these feelings are temporary and remind them of the tools they have to get through these challenging times.

• Help them stay connected — Provide opportunities for your teen to connect with family and friends. Social connections can help your teen feel less isolated and remind them of the value of being around other people.

• Ask questions — If you notice your teen withdrawing or displaying concerning signs, ask them if anything’s wrong. They may not want to bring up their mental health, but if you ask, it can help them open up.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to help your teen deal with suicide ideation, but with the right tools, they can learn how to cope with those feelings. 
At Embrace U, our team is dedicated to helping teens and their families deal with mental health conditions through evidence-based treatment plans. If your teen is struggling with their mental health and requires further support beyond their regular therapy sessions, contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.