If you’ve just learned that your child is suicidal, it’s only natural to feel lost on what to do.
Knowing that your teen is struggling so much that they want to end their life is heartbreaking for any parent. You likely want to swoop them up and protect them, and yet, what you need is a plan.
By starting with the immediate issue and working your way out, you can be critical support for your teen. This strategy involves direct intervention, listening, understanding, and promoting a safe environment.
Finally, there’s truth to the term “it takes a village”. DBT-based teen counseling can serve as another critical link in this support system, as well.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to keep your child safe when they’re suicidal.
Step One: Intervene If Your Child Is Suicidal
First and foremost, you need to intervene if your Suffolk or Norfolk County child is actively suicidal to make sure that they are safe. If your teen is in danger, call 911 for immediate help. Another resource is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 (800) 273-8255, or calling 988.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Sometimes parents might be reluctant to “make a big deal” out of a situation, you may not think help is possible, or you are ashamed of needing to get medical help for your child. This isn’t the time to put off getting help. Temporary discomfort should pale in comparison to your child’s safety.
You can access more suicide prevention resources here: New York Mental Health Resources for Suicide
Step Two: Listen to Your Teen, and Take Them Seriously
Next, it’s essential to listen to your teen and to take their concerns seriously. There may be issues that they are struggling with that you may not have been aware of before.
It can be hard, as a parent, to admit that you didn’t recognize that your teen has been hurting. You might have misinterpreted other behaviors, such as acting out or misbehaving.
Now is not the time for regrets. Instead, focus on listening to your teen. You don’t need to have all the answers, but be present and hear them out. Wait until they’ve had time to say everything they want to before you go into problem-solving mode.
Step Three: Create a Safety Plan and Assess Your Home for Safety Hazards
If your teen has expressed suicidal thoughts or actions, it would be prudent to take some safety precautions at home. Secure sharp objects, such as knives, silverware, and tools. Medications, whether they’re prescription drugs, over-the-counter, or recreational (including alcohol and marijuana), should also be locked, too. The same goes for cleaning solutions and household chemicals. If there is a firearm in the home, lock it up in a safe and secure any ammunition.
Step Four: Take the Time to Connect with Your Teen
A part of any suicide prevention plan should be increasing the amount of time and communication that you spend with your child. This approach serves two purposes. Firstly, you are keeping an eye on their physical safety. Secondly, you strengthen your relationship with your teen.
Do things that are fun and that your family already enjoys. When people, in general, are more connected to others, they feel less isolated and alone. Isolation fuels the mental health problems that lead to suicidal thoughts and feelings.
Step Five: Don’t Be Afraid to Talk About It
Parents can be reluctant to talk about suicide with their teens. They might be afraid that the discussion will inadvertently motivate their teen to want to harm themselves, which is incredibly rare.
Instead, having an honest and open dialogue about what your teen is feeling and experiencing is very helpful towards suicide prevention. Remember, teens, like all people, want to be understood.
By getting to the root issues for why they feel suicidal, you can better support them in the healing process.
Look Into Teen Counseling If Your Child Is Suicidal
It’s critical that you get professional help and that your Suffolk County child participates in teen counseling. This situation is not something that you should or ought to have to face on your own.
A counselor who understands teens and their mental health will be able to shed light on the situation. Also, they will help your child heal emotionally too. Additionally, consider finding a therapist for yourself as well.
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When a child is suicidal, you feel so helpless. You want them to be better. They can get there, with both your help as well as the support of teen counseling.
Please contact our offices today or visit our page on teen counseling to learn more about how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy for Suicidal Ideation
How does DBT help reduce suicidal ideation?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been repeatedly demonstrated to be a highly effective treatment for people who experience chronic suicidal thoughts. It can help people, including teens, dealing with Borderline Personality Disorder, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or any difficulty regulating emotions.
DBT teaches people how to manage their responses to suicidal thoughts through:
- Distress Tolerance: making it through emotionally overwhelming moments without acting on urges
- Emotional Regulation: identifying, managing, and reducing vulnerability to strong, overwhelming emotions
- Mindfulness: staying connected to the present moment to reduce the impacts and urgency of suicidal thoughts
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: skills that improve communication and the ability to have effective interactions, supporting healthy relationships.
What is DBT?
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an adaptation of cognitive behavior therapy to help people manage unhelpful, unhealthy behaviors in response to their emotions and thoughts. Through mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation, DBT guides teens (and adults) with individual therapy, DBT skills group therapy, and on-call therapy support, creating a robust support system for people to build a life that feels like it’s worth living.
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Suffolk DBT proudly provides quality dialectical behavior therapy, a form of cognitive behavioral therapy, at their offices in Manhattan and Long Island, New York and online. Their experienced therapists specialize in serving teens, children, adults, and college students struggling with depression, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, and self-harm. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills and treatment can help you or your kids to manage emotions and work through life’s challenges. Suffolk DBT Manhattan and Long Island offer a free screening call so you can get started right away.