MENTAL HEALTH GUIDE
Suicide Prevention
Suicide is a serious public health crisis that causes significant pain, suffering and loss to individuals, families and communities. Sadly, it is also one of the leading causes of death in children and adolescents. People may think about ending their lives when they are depressed or feel hopeless. However, there can be other triggers for suicidal thoughts and actions, such as breaking up with a partner, failing in school, being bullied or experiencing abuse, loss or other trauma.
Crisis Resources
If your child expresses thoughts of wanting to harm themselves or others, call 9-1-1 or visit the nearest Emergency Department.
MHSA Suicide Prevention Line:
(877) 7CRISIS or (877) 727-4747
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
9-8-8
Crisis Text Line:
Text “HOME” to 741741
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Download, print or share on social media.
External resources
Mental Health.gov
www.mentalhealth.gov
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
www.nasponline.org
Find a mental health provider
Check your insurance website or the back of your insurance card.
Explore Psychology Today’s “Find a Therapist” tool.
www.psychologytoday.com/us
Call CalOptima Behavioral Health (Orange County, CA).
855-877-3885
Suicide Overview
Feelings of hopelessness and/or depression can contribute to suicidal thoughts or actions. Below are additional risk factors that can contribute to suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt as well as possible warning signs of suicide and suicidal behaviors to look for.
What are the warning signs of suicide?
Talking about concerning topics. A primary warning sign is if someone talks about wanting to die or kill themselves, feeling hopeless, having no reason to live, or feeling like a burden to others. Expressing feelings of overwhelming shame and guilt and making statements that others don’t care, or others will “be better off without me.”
Suicide notes. If someone writes a suicide note — or a note that makes it sound like they are saying goodbye or planning to hurt themselves — it is a very real sign of danger and should always be taken seriously. These notes may be in the form of letters, emails, social media posts, or text messages.
Previous attempts. If someone has attempted suicide in the past, they are more likely to try again.
Final arrangements. This behavior may take many forms. In teens, it might be saying goodbye to friends, giving away prized possessions, or deleting profiles, pictures, or posts on social media.
Dramatic changes. Changes can include withdrawing from friends and family, skipping school or classes, becoming less involved in activities that were once important, avoiding others, inability to sleep or sleeping all the time, sudden weight gain or loss, or disinterest in appearance or hygiene.
Plan/method/access. A suicidal child or adolescent may show an increased interest in guns or other weapons; may seem to have increased access to guns or pills; and/or may talk about or hint at a suicide plan.
What are suicidal behaviors to look out for?
Risky behaviors. Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs, showing rage, or talking about seeking revenge can be warning signs.
Hurting oneself. Self-injurious behaviors (e.g. cutting) are warning signs for young children as well as teenagers.
What factors can place youth at risk for suicidal ideation and/or a possible suicide attempt?
- Perfectionism
- LGBTQ youth
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Substance abuse
- History of sexual or physical abuse
- Low self-esteem
- Academic struggles
- Bullying
- Racism
- Teens lacking social and family support
- Family history of suicide
Learn more about CHOC’s Pediatric Mental Health Services
At CHOC, we specialize in providing a full continuum of pediatric mental healthcare, including inpatient, intensive outpatient and outpatient program services.
Suicide prevention tips for parents and caregivers
No parent wants to imagine that their child would think about ending their life or hurting themselves in any way, but the reality is that kids and teens are not immune to severe symptoms of depression like suicidal thoughts. Here’s what parents can do to help prevent these tragedies.
Know the warning signs. Read over the list above and keep it in a safe place.
Ask your child if they are having thoughts about killing themselves. This will not put the idea into their head or make it more likely that they will attempt suicide.
Listen without judging and let them know you care about them.
Help your child stay engaged in their usual coping activities. For example, encourage family time and sports.
Stay with them if they’re in crisis or ensure the child is in a private, secure place with another caring adult until you can get further help.
Remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt. This includes medications, guns, sharp knives, ropes or cords, or cleaning products.
If the danger of self-harm or suicide seems immediate, call 9-1-1 or take your child to the closest emergency department.
Suicide prevention tips for kids and teens
Many people who have attempted suicide and survived say that they attempted it because they felt there was no other solution to a problem they were having or no other way to end their pain. Remember that no matter how hopeless you feel right now, these emotions will pass. It can get better.
Get help
If your bad feelings or pain become so overwhelming that you can’t see any solution besides harming or killing yourself or others, you need to get help right away. Tell a trusted adult. If talking to a stranger seems easier for you, call 1-800-273-TALK or text “HOME” to 741741.
Having thoughts of hurting yourself or others does not make you a bad person
Depression can make you think and feel things that are unlike you. It does not mean you are a bad person; it just shows how badly you are hurting. Getting help can decrease these unwelcome thoughts.
If your feelings are overwhelming, tell yourself to wait 24 hours
This can give you time to really think things through and to see if those strong feelings get a tiny bit easier to handle. During this 24-hour period, try to talk to someone — anyone — as long as they are not someone else feeling suicidal or depressed. Tell a parent, relative, family friend, or teacher. Or, if talking to a stranger feels easier to handle, call a hotline or text a text line. Remember: there are likely several solutions to whatever problem you are having.
If you’re afraid you can’t stop yourself, make sure you are never alone
Even if you feel like you can’t talk about your feelings, stay in public places, hang out with friends or family members or go to a movie—do anything you can to keep from being by yourself and in danger.
How to help a suicidal friend
As a friend, you may be in the best position to see when a friend might need help and help them get it. You may see signs yourself, hear about them secondhand, or see something concerning online on social media. Never ignore these signs. Never agree to keep this secret for a friend. Suicide can be preventable. By listening, talking, and acting, you could save a life.
Do not be afraid to talk to your friends
Listen to their feelings. Make sure they know how important they are to you. But it is important not to think you can keep them from hurting themselves on your own. Preventing suicide will require help from adults and is never your responsibility alone.
Don’t keep this secret
Never keep secret a friend’s suicidal plans or thoughts. You cannot promise that you will not tell someone; helping your friend requires the help of an adult. Talk to your parent, your friend’s parent, your school’s psychologist or counselor — any trusted adult. Don’t wait. Don’t be afraid that adults will not believe you or take you seriously. If you feel like they don’t believe you, keep talking until they listen. Even if you are not sure your friend is suicidal, talk to someone. It is always important to play it safe.
If danger of self-harm or suicide seems immediate, call 9-1-1.
Learn more about CHOC’s Pediatric Mental Health Services
At CHOC, we specialize in providing a full continuum of pediatric mental healthcare, including inpatient, intensive outpatient and outpatient program services.
Suicide prevention recommended reading
Related guides
Suicidal behaviors and ideation are usually a result of youth experiencing depressive symptoms. In addition to depression, suicidal thoughts and behaviors can also be prompted by other mental health conditions such as anxiety, or social issues such as bullying. For more information on other mental health conditions that can sometimes contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors, please visit our other mental health guides.
Suicide prevention books
- Parenting a Teen Who Has Intense Emotions, Pat Harvey, and Britt H. Rathbone (2015)
- DBT for Parents – Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills Workbook, by M.J. Raymos (2021)
- Living with a Black Dog: His Name is Depression, by Matthew Johnstone (2006)
Additional Resources
The guidance on this page has been clinically reviewed by CHOC pediatric experts.
The contents of this webpage, including text, graphics, audio files, and videos (“Materials”), are for your general information only. The Materials are not intended to substitute qualified professional or medical advice, diagnoses, or treatments. CHOC does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, or other information that may be mentioned on or linked to this webpage. Always call your physician or another qualified health provider if you have any questions or problems. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest emergency department, or call 911.
For more health information for your family visit health.choc.org
