Preventing Suicide: What Parents Need to Notice, Ask and Do

According to the ONS, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in young people. There is rarely a single cause or simple explanation, and there is no “typical” young person at risk. It is usually the result of growing distress that builds over time; sometimes visible, and sometimes hidden.

Distress looks different in different teenagers and can be subtle and misread. It doesn’t always look like self-harm or obvious depression. It can also look like anger, withdrawal, irritability, risky behaviour, disrupted sleep, losing interest in things they once cared about, or simply seeming different from their usual self. Some teens want to talk, some want to guard their privacy, some may carry on as if everything is fine.

For parents, what matters most is noticing change, especially small but persistent shifts in mood, behaviour or personality which makes early open conversations at home even more important. If you have worries and concerns about your young person, asking calmly and directly about suicide does not put the idea into a young person’s head, but avoiding the question does not make it safer.

In this sensitive session, we will talk clearly and practically about what parents can notice, what they can say, how to say it, and what to do next. We will also explore how the online world can influence vulnerable teens, with algorithms that distract, but may also serve content that isn’t helpful to a young person’s state of mind.

This is a steady, informed conversation, to help parents build confidence, confidence, clarity and connection over the most challenging of topics.

What We’ll Cover

• The current landscape and why there is rarely one single cause
• The diverse ways distress can show up in teenagers
• What to notice, what to say, how to say it and how to follow up
• The online world and how algorithm-driven content can affect vulnerable teens
• Suicidal thoughts and emotional literacy; how understanding feelings can protect
• Safety planning - what it is and how it works in practice