Spotting the warning signs of teen suicide could save a life

Bree Walker, LMSW

Submitted photo

Where to Find Help

If you believe a child or teen is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to an emergency room.

For non-emergencies, kids and teens can call or text 602-248-TEEN (8336). Phone support is available 24/7; texting is available from noon to 9 p.m. weekdays and 3 to 9 p.m. weekends. For more information, visit teenlifeline.org.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for teens in Arizona, but it’s also preventable. Most young people who attempt suicide give warning signs beforehand. As adults, our challenge is recognizing those signs and knowing what to do next.

At Teen Lifeline, a local 24/7/365 crisis hotline, trained teen peer counselors respond to thousands of calls and texts each year from Arizona youths. While the majority of callers are teens, suicidal thoughts can begin earlier than most people realize. In fact, 15%, or nearly 7,000, of the calls and texts to Teen Lifeline last year came from children ages 12 and younger.

That’s why September, Teen Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, is a vital time to remind ourselves that prevention starts with paying attention.

Suicide prevention is more than just the responsibility of parents. It requires an entire community. Friends, teachers, coaches, extended family and neighbors are sometimes the first to notice something isn’t right, alert parents and take action to seek help.

Watch for warning signs

Any significant change in a child’s or teen’s typical behavior should raise concern. Some of the most common warning signs include:

• Talking, writing or drawing about death, dying, suicide or feelings of falling apart
• Major changes in sleeping or eating habits
• Feeling sad, hopeless or depressed for more than two weeks
• Withdrawing from friends, family or activities they used to enjoy
• Experiencing extreme mood swings or sudden irritability

Sign of depression in younger kids may look different than for teens or adults. A persistently grumpy mood, sudden drop in grades, unexplained stomachaches or headaches, or a lack of energy or effort may signal deeper emotional struggles.

The risk of suicide increases if these behaviors are new, getting worse or connected to a painful event or loss. And sometimes, the most important signal is a parent or caregiver’s gut feeling that something is wrong.

What to do if they say yes

If you’re concerned, start by asking the child or teen how they are feeling, and then really listen. Ask open ended questions like: “When was the last time you felt really excited about something?” Don’t be afraid to ask directly if they’ve thought about suicide. Research shows asking won’t plant the idea in their head, but it can open the door to resolving the situation.

If they say yes, thank them for trusting you. Stay calm, avoid judgment and validate their feelings. Keep your voice even and your body language open. Take what they share seriously.

If you’re not the parent, talk to the child’s parents and urge them to seek professional help. Parents should act immediately. A licensed therapist can support both the teen and their family. Organizations like Teen Lifeline can provide a variety of resources for finding affordable professional care.

While waiting for care, families should take safety measures like locking up medications, sharp objects and chemicals. We also recommend securing all firearms, storing ammunition separately and changing the code on your gun safe — because no matter how careful you think are, your teen likely knows the code. Families may even consider removing firearms from their home completely when a child is experiencing suicidal thoughts. 

Editor’s note: Bree Walker, LMSW is a clinical preventionist at Teen Lifeline, a Phoenix-based nonprofit dedicated to preventing teen suicide in Arizona. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.