Suicide Prevention for Teens
- Written By: Marta
- Reviewed By: Stephanie Weatherly, DNP, PMH RN-BC, FACHE
- September 22, 2023
Learn more about suicide prevention for teens at Embrace U in Brentwood, TN.
Suicide Prevention for Teens
Hearing that your child is thinking about suicide can be deeply unsettling. It’s critical that you seek treatment from a mental health professional if your child is experiencing suicidal ideation or suicidal thoughts. Parents should take any child’s expression of suicidal thoughts seriously, including drawings or writing. It is important to listen and empathize with their feelings, providing support and comfort. Overcoming suicidal ideation and behavior in adolescents revolves around understanding, education, and treatment.
Embrace U can help adolescents struggling with suicidal thoughts. Our outpatient therapy programs help treat suicidal ideation and offer parents a support group and resources to deepen their understanding of why a child may be thinking about suicide. Our clinical team includes psychiatric providers and licensed therapists who use evidence-based treatment to help adolescents (10 to 18) manage symptoms of a mental health challenge. Contact our outpatient mental health treatment center to learn more about how we can help your child today.
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Understanding The Difference Between Teen Suicidal Ideation and Intent
Knowing what to do can be challenging when your child is thinking about suicide. Understanding the dangers and realities of suicidal ideation and suicidal intent are vital to knowing your next steps. Our adolescent treatment team is experienced in dealing with suicidal ideation and intent, and can help develop a plan to keep your child safe.
The pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may lead to suicide can be divided into a few distinct categories. These ideas may overlap, and teens may slide between each.
- Suicidal Ideation: When a child has thoughts of wanting to die or attempting suicide. These thoughts can be recurring or temporary.
- Suicidal Intent: Suicidal intent refers to a clear plan or active desire of someone to take their own life.
- Suicidal Behavior: Suicidal behavior refers to actions or signs a child may be experiencing either suicidal ideation or suicidal intent. Suicidal behaviors can include talking about suicide, expressing hopelessness, self-isolation, changes in sleeping habits, or showing hostility or irritability towards others.
If your child is showing any signs of suicidal behavior, it is important to seek treatment. If you believe your child is showing signs of suicidal intent, we recommend immediately calling a youth crisis helpline (988).
Paying attention to suicidal ideation can help you keep your child safe before things escalate.
To learn more about Embrace U’s adolescent depression treatment in Brentwood, contact our admissions team today.
How Can Parents Help Their Child Overcome Suicidal Ideation?
As a parent, friend, or loved one, wanting to take away your child’s pain is understandable. The best way to help someone through suicidal ideation is to be accessible, supportive and get them the care they deserve.
- Seek Professional Treatment. You can only do so much to help a child or teenager on your own. Don’t try to navigate this challenge alone. Reach out for help as soon as you can. Mental health treatment from licensed professionals can help adolescents get to the root of their suicidal ideation, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and begin to heal.
- Learn More. Educate yourself on suicidal ideation and learn the warning signs so you can intervene if necessary. Try to understand and empathize with what your child may be experiencing. Understand what resources are available and ensure your child can access them.
- Become an Ally. Above all else, support your teen or child as best you can. They’re likely juggling strong emotions and may attempt to isolate themselves from others. Fostering open communication about these concerns can help show your child you’re safe to turn to for help.
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WHY TEENS NEED TREATMENT
Signs of Suicidal Ideation to Look For
Often, telltale signs of suicidal ideation can be tricky to spot. For example, if you notice your child is isolating from friends, it could be suicidal behavior, a sign of developing anxiety, or typical teenage moodiness.
If you are concerned about your child’s mental well-being, the most important thing you can do is educate yourself on the signs of suicidal ideation and understand the best ways you can help them.
Common signs associated with adolescent suicidal ideation may include:
- Discussing suicide or expressing a want to die
- Extreme mood swings
- Expressing hopelessness
- Isolating themselves from friends and family
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Talking about feeling trapped or being a burden on loved ones
- Substance abuse
The most urgent signs that parents should watch for, if they believe their child is at risk of suicidal behaviors, is evidence of suicidal intent.
These signs can include:
- Statements expressing intent (i.e., “I’m going to commit suicide.”)
- Indirect verbal cues, such as “I won’t be around to bother you much longer” or “Everything will be over soon.”
- Sudden and extreme shifts in mood: An adolescent may appear happy and warm after a severe bout of depression
- Writing suicide notes
- Giving away prized possessions or throwing away beloved items
- Researching suicide methods or weapons
Why Embrace U? Why Now?
Embrace U was founded to combat the growing mental health crisis among adolescents in Middle Tennessee.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 50% of parents have reported their adolescents being diagnosed with mental health issues.
The Tennessee Department of Education found that Tennessean children and adolescents are experiencing mental health issues at a growing rate.
Over 50% of Tennessee adolescents diagnosed with depression received no care last year.
What Causes Chronic Suicidal Ideation in Teens?
Adolescence can be challenging and children can become overwhelmed by stress, feelings of isolation, humiliation or sadness. Changing hormones, lifestyles, and relationships can also drive suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation and behaviors can be caused by:
- Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD
- Stress at home or school
- Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
- Social challenges, such as changing friendships or romantic relationships
- Grief or loss
- Emotional and physiological shifts that accompany hormonal changes
Feeling alone or unprepared to manage these challenges can lead young people to take dangerous actions to find relief. If you believe your child is experiencing suicidal ideation or is at risk to do so, finding compassionate treatment you can trust can be crucial.
WHY TEENS NEED TREATMENT
How Embrace U Can Help
At Embrace U, helping young people take charge of their lives and heal is our mission. We offer tailored teen mental health treatment options that give teens the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to overcome their challenges. We believe that helping your teen live their life shouldn’t have to come at the expense of their happiness.
Our adolescent mental health treatment program gives our clients a space to express their feelings and hear from others who share their experiences. We also help adolescents gain valuable coping skills and discover new ways to manage their mental health needs. The goal is to empower our clients to make positive changes in their lives while helping them connect with peers who truly understand.
We take teen suicide prevention seriously.
Embrace U understands the importance of comprehensive and effective suicide prevention for teens. We rely on evidence-based treatment approaches to help teens pinpoint the root of their emotions. From there, we can help isolate individual needs and replace unhealthy thought patterns with more positive, beneficial alternatives. Our clinical staff is here to support teens however they need as they work through their individual treatment plans.
You're Not Alone: Find Support at Embrace U
At Embrace U, we know that suicide prevention for teens is an ongoing effort. We also know that adolescents of all backgrounds may face challenges that hold them back from living their happiest, healthiest lives. That’s why we’ve created our treatment programs with young people in mind.
To get started on the road to healing and recovery and to learn how our Brentwood IOP and teen PHP in Tennessee can help, reach out to us at info@embraceu.com, by calling us at (615) 656-8624, or by filling out our contact form.
Suicide Prevention Resources for Teens and Families
No matter how the situation may feel, you aren’t alone. The following suicide prevention resources for teens and their loved ones can provide either immediate support or give you the information you need to act fast.
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988): An emergency hotline that provides free, confidential support 24/7. Call or text 988 to speak to someone immediately, or use the anonymous chat to get help.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center: A resource hub funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services division.
Suicide Awareness and Prevention Toolkit – Children’s Mercy Kansas City: A comprehensive guide designed to help families respond to suicidal ideation and help teens access the support they need.
The Trevor Project: An organization focused on supporting LGBTQ+ youth and navigating mental health challenges, including suicidal ideation.
Teen Line: A hotline and text line offering peer support for teens via phone, message, or email. Trained peers answer questions, listen, and connect teens with appropriate resources.
If this is an emergency, please call 911. You may also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or you can use their Lifeline Chat. Services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
