We’ve partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to develop a guide to better foster discussions to help you and your family understand how to take care of and protect your mental health. We hope you find it helpful and that you’ll share it with other parents so that it can be an important tool in the effort to save lives.

HOW TO USE THE GUIDE

As a parent, you can approach mental health care and suicide prevention in the same way you do other health and safety issues with your children. By educating yourself, you can learn what you can do in times of need to protect them. Checking in on your child’s mental health and asking the right questions— in the right way—is an important starting place.

UNDERSTANDING ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, SUICIDE AND RISK FACTORS

Just as we all have physical health, which can vary from day-to-day, we also have mental health, and it’s just as important to be cared for and looked after. Mental health is not stagnant. The internal and external factors that contribute to our mental health are always in flux. However, ongoing stressors can harm mental health. Someone with mental health challenges that become exacerbated or go untreated may consider suicide or harming others.

Parents play a critical role in helping identify changes in their teen’s mood or behavior, and can help support their children by having more regular conversations about mental health, and seeking help should struggles turn into a crisis. Suicide is complex and is never the result of just one stressor. Parents who understand and recognize warnings signs—as early as possible—can step in to safeguard their child’s mental health and seek outside help if needed.

The first step for parents concerned that their teen may be contemplating suicide or harming themselves is to examine risk factors, which fall into three areas:

1. HEALTH FACTORS
2. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
3. HISTORICAL FACTORS

It’s important to know that suicide is never the result of one risk factor, but instead the convergence of several life stressors, and even then, most people do not attempt suicide.

Mental health experts also agree that one of the most effective ways to reduce suicide is preventing access to methods of harming oneself. While there are several commonly used lethal means, firearms were used in 51 percent of all suicides among Americans in 2018. Understanding the warning signs and proactively preventing unauthorized access to firearms and other means by those at risk can help reduce harmful behaviors.

Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it’s also preventable—and secure firearm storage is an important part of suicide prevention. This is especially true for teens, whose access to lethal means typically comes by way of their own homes. Practicing safe firearm storage and curtailing access for at-risk individuals can be the difference maker in the life of a teen who is contemplating self harm.

WHEN AND HOW TO TAKE ACTION

Once a parent recognizes or even begins to suspect signs of suicide risks in his or her teen, the most important thing is to reach out and talk with your young person. If you suspect your teen is in crisis or faces an imminent risk, the best thing to do is to contact a crisis outreach center immediately.

• Don’t wait—trust your gut. If you notice changes in your teen’s normal behavior, such as becoming more withdrawn, disconnecting from friends, or grades dropping, or they’re just not being themselves, that’s a time to connect and talk with them about their feelings and mental health and consider reaching out to a healthcare professional. Talking about mental health or suicide does not increase risk.
• Ask your teen specifically about suicide and suicidal thoughts. Here’s how: “Sometimes when people are feeling overwhelmed, they may have thoughts of suicide. Have you had those kinds of thoughts?” If your teen indicates suicidal thoughts or you are left feeling uneasy, reach out to a healthcare professional for further assessment.
• Hold all discussions in a nonjudgmental, empathetic manner. Listening and conveying that you are here to help is more important than giving advice. Stay in regular touch with teachers and coaches, as well as your teen’s friends and teammates.
• Follow up regularly and express your care and concern. If you don’t see any improvements or your child continues to struggle, seek help.
• Contact a healthcare professional. While a mental health professional is ideal, you can also turn to your child’s primary care physician or even a walk-in clinic, urgent care center or your local emergency room if you are concerned about your child’s safety
• Secure your firearms, medicines and harmful chemicals and ensure that all family members who have access to them know the procedures to keep them secure. This means not having firearms, ammunition, lock keys and other methods of security accessible to the person who is distressed.

UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO FIREARMS

Complementing the crucial role of mental health support, removing or reducing a potentially suicidal person’s access to lethal means can be the difference in stopping a tragedy. Because firearms are the leading means used in teen suicide, securing a firearm is one of the most important steps a parent can take to prevent a suicide attempt or act of violence.

There are several best practices for responsible and secure firearm storage for anyone, and especially where there may be someone at risk:

• Store firearms unloaded, and store ammunition separately in locked storage, when not in use.
• Consider disassembling firearms as an added measure of security to prevent access—know the functionality of each firearm you own, so you can safely disassemble and store it.
• Double check that your firearm is unloaded when moving it in or out of storage.
• Use multiple safeguards at once.

There are multiple options to store a firearm, and the right choice will depend on how many firearms you need to secure, your budget and whether you need to transport the firearm.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s More than Sad resource for parents, high school students and teachers
• Seize the Awkward peer-to-peer resources for teens and young adults
• Visit StopBullying.gov for bullying- and cyberbullying-specific resources