Notify a trusted co-parent or caregiver when safe and appropriate.
Arrange a professional mental-health assessment.
Coordinate with the school counselor while protecting privacy.
Leave with a written follow-up and safety plan.
Questions to ask the professional
What level of supervision is recommended right now?
What should we remove, lock, or change at home?
What signs mean we should return for urgent help?
Who do we call after hours?
When is the next appointment?
What should the school know?
What not to say
“How could you do this to us?”
“You have nothing to be sad about.”
“You are only trying to get attention.”
“Promise me and we will forget this happened.”
“If you keep this up, you will lose your phone or friends.”
After the immediate crisis
Follow-up is part of care. Confirm appointments, understand discharge instructions, support siblings, and keep asking your child what helps them feel connected and safe.
A return of suicidal thoughts does not mean the family failed. Use the safety plan, ask directly, and reconnect with care.
Common questions
Clear answers for the next decision.
Should I ask my child directly about suicide?
Yes. Ask calmly and directly whether they are thinking about suicide. Clear language does not create suicidal thoughts and can make honesty easier.
Should I leave my child alone?
Do not leave a child alone when immediate danger may be present. Stay close and bring in 988, a qualified clinician, or emergency help as appropriate.
When should I call 988?
Call or text 988 when your child is having suicidal thoughts, you are unsure about safety, or you need help deciding the next step.
When is emergency medical care necessary?
Contact emergency services for an active attempt, urgent medical need, or immediate physical danger.
What should I tell the school?
Share the minimum information needed to support safety, identify a trusted school contact, and coordinate a reentry or response plan consistent with professional recommendations and school policy.
Qualified review pending — not clinically endorsed. A licensed youth mental-health clinician and a suicide-prevention specialist must review this page. A qualified privacy or youth-safeguarding reviewer must review confidentiality, caregiver-disclosure, and minimum-necessary-sharing language.
Last editorial update
July 30, 2026
Review schedule
Initial qualified review required before broad promotion
Editorial status
Cited editorial guidance. It is not clinically endorsed. A licensed youth mental-health clinician and a suicide-prevention specialist must review this page. A qualified privacy or youth-safeguarding reviewer must review confidentiality, caregiver-disclosure, and minimum-necessary-sharing language.
