Every young person deserves to feel seen, valued and supported. Yet for many children and teens, life’s challenges can feel overwhelming. In Nebraska, suicide is the leading cause of death for ages 10 – 14, and the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15 – 24. Behind every life lost is a family and a community in heartbreak. It’s a tragic reality that reminds us just how much our youth need us.

Parents and caregivers play an irreplaceable role in helping youth feel safe and understood. A simple act of listening, offering comfort or encouraging professional support can be life-changing. This National Suicide Prevention Month, let’s explore how parents and caregivers can help protect young lives. Suicide can be prevented, and parents can help.

Read on to learn how you can recognize the warning signs, start open conversations about mental health and connect your child or teen with the support they need to heal and thrive.

Why Youth Mental Health Care and Awareness Can’t Wait

Children and youth are constantly going through new experiences and big changes, especially if they are experiencing some form of trauma or instability. Because of this, young people are highly susceptible to mental health challenges like depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. 

Overcoming the stigma around mental health starts with you. Even if you feel confident your child isn’t at risk of suicide, talking openly about mental health is still powerful. When you normalize conversations about mental health at home, you’re giving them the tools to support themselves and support others. Not only do these conversations strengthen your child’s resilience, but they also equip them to recognize when a friend or classmate may be struggling and to know how to respond with empathy and care. 

By having open conversations with your child or teen about mental health, parents and caregivers can help make the topic more approachable and encourage teens to see their caregivers as a safe person to ask for help.

Mental health support isn’t the sole responsibility of parents, either. There are additional supports out there to help wrap around struggling youth and give them the validation and care they need, such as outpatient therapy for children. KVC therapy services are readily available to any child or teen in need of extra support.

Recognizing the Signs: What Caregivers Should Watch For

Early intervention can literally save lives, making it vital that parents and caregivers both know the suicide warning signs in teens and can provide much-needed emotional support and validation to their children and youth. As a parent hoping to support mental health in Nebraska, here are some suicide warning signs in teens to be aware of:

• Withdrawal from friends, family and activities they previously enjoyed
• Expressions of hopelessness
• Vocalized desire for self-harm or a suicide plan
• Poor custodial care and self-care
• Significant changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Lack of response to positive affirmation
• Irritability or mood swings
• Intense sadness and crying spells
• Social media activity indicating feelings of isolation or depression

While teens may struggle with thoughts of suicide at any point, certain experiences and risk factors may increase the chances of attempted suicide, such as:

• Existing mental health disorders (depression, anxiety, OCD or other co-occurring conditions)
• Addiction or a substance use disorder
• Bullying or social conflict
• Traumatic experiences
• A recent break-up
• Recent loss of a friend, family member or beloved pet
• Access to firearms, drugs or other lethal means
• A family history of mental health and suicide
• A recent major life change, like a move to a new school, a divorce or a significant illness
• Exposure to suicidal behavior in others (in person or through media consumption)
• Impulsive tendencies
• Having attempted suicide in the past

If your child or teen is showing any of these warning signs, take it seriously. You do not have to face this alone. Call or text 988 to connect immediately with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and get support 24/7.

The Power of a Supportive Adult

A supportive adult can make a world of difference for a struggling youth simply by being a validating listening ear. While parents and caregivers are the first line of defense, this support can come from other trusted adults in the community, such as teachers, coaches, counselors or faith leaders (like youth group leaders or pastors). Suicide prevention for youth doesn’t mean having all the answers. It just means being present. The more you know a child or teen and understand their thoughts, feelings and needs, the better equipped you will be to validate them and notice when they need help!

Parent support for mental health in Nebraska also means encouraging teens to seek help without shame. Everyone needs help in different seasons of life, and it’s okay to get professional support as a parent or a teen when things are too big to handle alone.

How to Talk to Youth About Mental Health

Overcoming the stigma around mental health starts with you. By having open conversations with your child or teen about mental health, parents and caregivers can help make the topic more approachable and encourage teens to see their caregivers as a safe person to ask for help.

Conversations about suicide and mental health are part of building a foundation of trust and safety that could protect your child in the future. If your teen seems to be struggling in a way you don’t know how to handle or isn’t sure how to open up to you, it’s okay to suggest therapeutic support. Remind your youth that there is strength in asking for help, and look into teen therapy services together.

Here are some practical tips for talking about mental health with your child or teen:

Consider Their Age Level

Talking about mental health with a young child will look very different from talking to a teenager. When discussing mental health with a child, use simple language they can understand and have visual or physical tools to help them express their feelings. NAMI’s “Meet Little Monster” Coloring and Activity book is a great place to start!

When talking about mental health with teenagers, speak to them as mature and intelligent equals who are capable of understanding on a deeper level, but keep in mind their sensitivities and prioritize listening and compassion. Keeping an open dialogue shows them that they can trust you not only with their own mental health concerns, but that you’re a resource if a friend or classmate is struggling too.

Listen First

Start with listening, not talking. Ask questions that encourage them to share without pressure and keep your own opinions to a minimum. Embrace the silent moments and be patient when they need time to think, process or just sit in their feelings.

Share a Hobby or Activity

While your instinct may be to talk over dinner or during a dedicated time without interruptions, this may lead to stress or anxiety or a feeling of being “on the spot” for a child or youth who is not yet ready to open up. Lower the pressure by having the conversation while doing something enjoyable together:

• Go for a walk
• Play a card game or board game
• Bake cookies
• Play catch (or fetch with the family dog)
• Make a craft
• Ask your kid what they would like to do together

Encourage Self-Care

Self-care is important for everyone. Outside of the conversation, model self-care to your child so they see you practice what you preach. Then, when you’re talking, you can share what you do to take care of yourself and how you find it helpful (“I go for walks every morning because it helps me clear my head before I start my day,” for example), then ask what kinds of things they enjoy that help them decompress. Don’t criticize what they share, even if it’s not something you particularly enjoy. 

Suggest Professional Help

If your teen seems to be struggling in a way you don’t know how to handle or isn’t sure how to open up to you, it’s okay to suggest therapeutic support. Remind your youth that there is strength in asking for help, and look into teen therapy services together. 

We’re Here for You at KVC Nebraska

KVC therapy services are trauma-informed, research-backed and personal to the child or teen in need. Our outpatient therapy for children is available to you and your children in the home, at school and via telehealth so that adolescents can have the support they need when and where they need it!

At KVC Nebraska, we use evidence-based practices that are proven to help empower recovery and equip children and families with strong mental health toolkits. Some of the methods KVC therapists use:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• And Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Therapy isn’t only valuable in times of crisis. KVC child and teen therapy services can be individual, family and group therapy. We accept Medicaid and traditional health insurance, and anyone can make a referral or self-refer for outpatient therapy services by calling 402-880-4926 or emailing our referrals team.

If your child or teen is ever in immediate crisis, call or text 988 to be connected right away with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24/7.

Bonus: Free Resource for Parents

Whether you are concerned about your child or just want to be extra proactive, our free parenting tips guide is available to help you learn how you can better support youth mental health. Download your free copy of Parenting Tips for Supporting Youth Mental Health here.