Speaking about death, disappearance or being a burden
Ask what is happening now, whether suicidal thoughts are present and whether the person can remain safe while help is contacted.
Suicidal Thoughts in Teenagers: A Guide for Parents
One safe step at a time.
Take any disclosure or sign of suicidal thinking seriously, respond calmly and ask directly about thoughts of suicide and immediate safety. Asking does not put the idea into a young person’s head.
Direct answerSay what is happening.
Say what is happening.
Bring another person in.
Take any disclosure or sign of suicidal thinking seriously, respond calmly and ask directly about thoughts of suicide and immediate safety. Asking does not put the idea into a young person’s head.
Changes in mood, withdrawal, sleep, school attendance, self-harm, substance use, giving possessions away or hopeless statements can have several explanations. No checklist can determine safety. The teenager’s account, current circumstances, developmental needs and access to danger require direct professional assessment.
A proportionate next step
Stay with the young person when safety is uncertain, reduce access to danger without confrontation, and contact NHS 111, an urgent GP appointment or the young person’s mental-health team. Call 999 or go to A&E if they may act or cannot stay safe.
Signals to take seriouslyLook for change.
Look for change.
Ask about safety.
No list or score predicts suicide. These prompts help begin a direct conversation and decide whether urgent services are needed.
Self-harm, preparations or giving possessions away
Ask what is happening now, whether suicidal thoughts are present and whether the person can remain safe while help is contacted.
Abrupt withdrawal or a marked change in behaviour
Ask what is happening now, whether suicidal thoughts are present and whether the person can remain safe while help is contacted.
Saying they cannot stay safe or do not want to be alone
Ask what is happening now, whether suicidal thoughts are present and whether the person can remain safe while help is contacted.
What to doUse a short
Use a short
safety sequence.
The aim is not to produce a diagnosis. It is to reduce isolation and reach the right level of help.
Ask directly and listen
Use calm, plain language. Give the person time to answer and reflect back what you heard without debate, guilt or forced optimism.
Clarify immediate safety
Ask whether the person may act, has made preparations or can stay safe. Do not use a risk score or a verbal promise as a substitute for professional assessment.
Create connection and distance from danger
Stay together when safety is uncertain, move towards a safer shared place, involve another trusted person and reduce access to danger without confrontation.
Use the appropriate UK route
Stay with the young person when safety is uncertain, reduce access to danger without confrontation, and contact NHS 111, an urgent GP appointment or the young person’s mental-health team. Call 999 or go to A&E if they may act or cannot stay safe.
Important boundarySupport is shared.
Support is shared.
Safety is not a private burden.
Parents should not carry the assessment alone or promise absolute secrecy. Explain that information will be shared only with people needed to help protect safety and obtain appropriate care.
Suicidal thoughts require human contact and, where indicated, professional assessment. Never delay NHS or emergency help while waiting for an iMetaWellness response.
Conversation prompts
Four clear questions.
Adapt the language to age, communication needs and the relationship, while keeping the meaning direct.
Are you thinking about suicide?
This names the concern without euphemism and gives the person permission to answer directly.
Do you feel you may act on those thoughts?
A “yes”, uncertainty or inability to answer clearly can require urgent or emergency action.
Can you stay safe while we contact help?
Do not leave someone alone when safety is uncertain. Call 999 or go to A&E for immediate danger.
Who else can help us carry this now?
Identify a trusted person and the relevant NHS, GP, mental-health or emergency route.
Non-crisis supportUrgent route first.
Urgent route first.
Private enquiry afterwards.
Once immediate safety and clinical support are established, use the patient form to ask whether complementary wellbeing support is suitable.