How to help a teen who is thinking about suicide?

Express your concerns

If you’re worried about your teen, listen and try to have an open discussion with them. Share your concerns and encourage them to express themselves. You can also tell them what you have noticed and what worries you about it. For example:
 

• “I noticed you are spending a lot of time alone in your room these days.
• “It seems to me that you have less energy to do the things you usually do everyday.” 
• “I feel like you have been going through some stressful times lately. How do you feel?” 

Listen and validate their experience

"I’m here for you, and no matter what you tell me, I won’t judge you."

Listen to your teen and validate their experience by being empathetic to their situation. Show them you are there to support them and not judge them. This reinforces trust and establishes a safe space for communication.

Ask your teen about suicidal thoughts directly

Ask your teen about suicidal thoughts openly and honestly. The Talking about Suicide with Someone section can offer tips on how to talk about suicide and explain what to do according to your situation.

Explain existing options for support and understand their needs

Adolescence is a period where your teen is developping autonomy. It is therefore important to involve them in decisions concerning their well-being. Take the time to understand what they prefer in terms of resources and be open to their concerns. 

Inform them of what resources exist. If the situation does not involve an immediate danger to their life, you could suggest a meeting with a school counselor, a visit to your local CLSC, or seeing a private mental health professional. You can also look for therapists through the Ordre des psychologues du Québec website to know more about the different approaches in psychotherapy and find out what could work for your teen.

If you think it’s necessary to talk about your teen situation with a professional, tell your teen why you feel it is important and what your responsibilities are as a parent. To preserve their trust, ask your teen if there are aspects of the situation they would prefer to keep between you. It’s important communicate confidence in your teen’s ability to reflect and make decisions for themselves, rather than make their choices for them.

How to know if the situation is urgent?

To determine whether your teen is in danger and if you should call 911, you can visit this page and refer to the “How to determine if a person is in danger” and “When to Call 911” sections. 

Spend some quality time with your teen

Spending quality time with your teen and organizing activities they like can afford you fun moments while strengthening your relationship with them. To respect their rhythm, try not to ask too many questions about what’s going wrong and be ready to listen if they want to talk about it. The goal is to create pleasant moments that allow them to take a break from their suffering and show them they are loved and supported.

Stay vigilant and pay attention to any new signs of distress

It’s important to stay vigilant and attentive to all signs of distress. Stay open to communication and remind them that they can count on your support. To know more about signs of distress, you can visit How Do I Know if my Teen is Thinking About Suicide.

Speak to professionals to get help

As a parent, knowing your teen is thinking about suicide can be very difficult. If you need to, contact counsellors who are specialized in suicide prevention. It’s important to seek out support and not stay alone with your concerns and emotions. If the situation is urgent, the counsellor will be able to help you ensure your teen’s immediate safety as well.

To speak to someone, you can:

• Chat on suicide.ca
• Text a suicide.ca counsellor at 535353
• Call 1 866 277-3553

These services are offered 24/7 everywhere in Quebec.
 

Other resources can also be of help according to the situation you may be facing. Take a look at the Supporting Someone in Difficulty page to find out more