If you think your teen might be suicidal you can take advantage of online resources such as a mental health toolkit. You should also consider carefully how you speak to them and interact with them afterward.
Clear out obvious things they might use to commit suicide
First remove or lock away anything that they might use to hurt themselves. It might seem like a daunting task but it is important. Often even though people might talk about suicide the actual act is a spontaneous thing. Something pushes them and they see something they can use so they do. For example, guns are very commonly used in teen suicides where parents do not lock them away (50%). A teen reaches a crisis point and grabs a gun and shoots themselves.
Take away all the guns around the home and place them somewhere safe and secure. Do the same thing with other lethal substances like poison, or if anyone takes a strong enough medication, or other lethal tools. You could give them to someone else to hold for you until it is safe to have them in the home. Or invest in somewhere that is locked and make sure they do not have access to the key or combination. You could alternatively dismantle the gun and store the parts separately. Lock away medications even over-the-counter types. Do the same with cleaning solutions and things like bleach and pest control items, alcohol, antifreeze, knives and other sharp items, rope and inhalants. Parents can use a behavioral health toolkit to help judge whether the risk is imminent.
While they are going through treatment give them reason to hope
While you and your child’s team use tools like a mental health toolkit to take the teen through certain steps, at home you need to give them reasons to maintain hope. Medication might be a part of that, as well as therapy, but there are also techniques to learn at home for reducing stress, meditation, things like Yoga, and journaling. Reassure them and keep reminding them the bad times do not last. There is no need to feel shame either, 1 in 5 people need help with mental health at some time in their life.
Build up social engagements with friends and family
While your child might not want to be around other people it really is a part of the healing process. Social support from friends and family can be everything. At first, they might need more encouragement but eventually, you will be able to get them more involved in events and gatherings.
Try to get them to exercise
Physical activity helps anyone feel better because of the production of endorphins so is a good way to help as well as get them into better physical shape. Just a daily walk is good but it could be anything, swimming, running, a gym, whatever they are able to manage. It will also help them sleep better which is also good for their mental health.
Make sure they are easy on themselves
It is easy to be harder on yourself than you might be on someone you know. Talk to them about being easier on themselves and engaging in acts of self-care. Turn tasks that seem too large into smaller ones until their confidence grows.
Setbacks happen
As a parent you can use a behavioral health toolkit to help guide your approach but you and your teen need to know that setbacks happen. Progress is not steady and constant. Be prepared and be patient.
