In the article Recognizing the Signs Your Young Person Needs Support in Stressful Times, we discussed how stressors such as trauma, community violence, and uncertainty are risk factors for adverse mental health outcomes, and the role parental engagement and monitoring play as protective factors for young people. We also discussed warning signs for depression and suicide risk.
Suicide rates for Black and Hispanic/Latine youth have increased in recent years (Suicide Rates for the Three Leading Methods by Race and Ethnicity: United States, 2000–2020). In 2022, suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death among Black or African Americans between the ages of 10 and 24 (Mental and Behavioral Health – Black/African Americans).
Know the risk and protective Factors
It is critical to emphasize how important it is to be proactive when addressing risk factors for suicide and actively working to enhance protective factors. Risk factors for suicide among young people include:
- Conflict with family/friends
- Discrimination
- Feeling emotionally or physically unsafe within the educational environment
- Bullying
- Trauma
- Socioeconomic status and pressures
- Isolation and marginalization
Protective factors include:
- A strong and trusted community of family and friends
- Access to culturally aligned mental health care
- Problem-solving skills
- A supportive and safe educational environment
- Trusted and compassionate adult figures and/or role models
Create a safe and open environment
One of the most important steps you can take as a parent or caregiver is to create a safe and open environment where your young person feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings. Your role? Practice being a supportive presence, and know that you don’t have to have all the answers.
By cultivating a safe space for your young person to talk regularly, you set the stage for them to feel they can come to you when they are feeling down and that you can handle even their deepest emotions with compassion, empathy, and support.
You can create a safe space as you:
- Listen without judgment: Show empathy and understanding. Avoid the urge to offer advice or solutions right away.
- Validate their feelings: Help them feel seen and heard by acknowledging their strengths and talents.
- Be a model of healthy coping: Share your own experiences managing stress and difficult emotions. This can make them feel more comfortable opening up.
| Key Question: Asking about it
Does asking someone if they are having suicidal thoughts put them at greater risk? Answer: No. When someone is contemplating suicide, they feel isolated and alone. If you are concerned that a friend or loved one is at risk of harming themselves, asking them about it directly communicates that you see them and you care. It opens the door to further conversation and support, and, if necessary, emergency intervention. |
Key Resource: Text STEVE
If you or a loved one is experiencing active thoughts of harming yourself or others, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or text “STEVE” to 741741 for support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
Additional Resources
- Recognizing the Signs Your Young Person Needs Support in Stressful Times
- Supporting Your Teen Experiencing Mental Health Challenges
- Honoring Hispanic Heritage and Mental Health
- Keeping Young Women Safe from Self-Harm
- A Guide for Parents: Helping your teen balance academics and mental health
- A Guide for Parents & College Students: Navigating College Campus Support Systems
- Stress-Relieving Exercise: Give yourself a few minutes of calm by following your breath
- Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents
