24 Sep Suicide Prevention for Families: How to Talk to Your Kids About Suicide and 988

by: Courtney Lauver, LCSW, Therapist at Bridge Counseling & Wellness in Louisville

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. While we would prefer to avoid thinking of this topic in relation to our children, according to SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration), 3.2 million children aged 12-17 reported they had “serious thoughts of suicide” in 2023, and half of those children made a plan, an attempt, or both. It’s important for parents to have an open dialogue with their children regarding mental health and suicide, while also being aware of the resources available for people with suicidal ideation. It’s equally important for our kids to know who they can call if they need mental health assistance, just as we teach them what to do in any other emergency.

988 Lifeline
In 2020, the 988 hotline was introduced as a simple, easy-to-remember number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Individuals can choose to call or text 988 or use an online chat at 988lifeline.org, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can utilize the 988 Lifeline for support with a variety of mental health crises, including suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, need for deescalation, or problems with alcohol or drug use. 988 will connect users with local resources, help with deescalation, and if needed, dispatch mobile crisis teams. 911 should be called in situations where someone has attempted suicide and/or needs immediate medical assistance.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Suicide
Even if you don’t think your child is having thoughts of suicide, it’s still important to talk to them about mental health and suicide. Teach your children that it is normal to struggle with mental health and that it is okay to ask for help. If your child knows you are willing to listen without judgement or panic, they will be more likely to open up when something is wrong.

– My first piece of advice to parents talking to children about mental health or suicide is to remain calm. Go into the conversation with a deep breath and remind yourself that keeping a neutral tone will help encourage your child to talk about what they’re going through and remind them you are there to help. If your family knows that you are available to listen and to answer questions, it will help your children feel more comfortable speaking openly about mental health. This could also help you notice changes in your child’s mood or behaviors that you can ask them about.

– Use direct language, especially when talking about suicide. It’s a common misconception that if you ask someone if they are thinking about dying by suicide, you are putting the idea in their head. On the contrary, if someone is thinking of self-harm or attempting suicide, they benefit from someone asking them about it directly rather than having to ask for help. If your child tells you they are thinking about suicide, 988 can help assess whether your child needs immediate mental healthcare, and how you can help keep them safe. Suicidal thoughts do not always mean someone needs to go to a hospital, and a trained crisis worker at 988 can help you determine the best course of action.

– Teach your children about 988, just as you taught them about 911. Explain that it is a resource people can use if they are struggling with mental health, including thoughts of suicide or an emotional crisis. Ensure they understand that if they need help, or if they want to help a friend who is struggling, they can use 988 in addition to talking to a parent or safe adult.

Experiencing thoughts of suicide is more common in youth than many parents  expect. It’s important that the whole family knows what resources are available to help them. Just like other emergencies you hope to never experience, knowing what resources are available for a mental health crisis is vital. 988 is there to help if you should ever need it.