September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to bring greater attention to mental health, suicide prevention, and the importance of making sure people know they are not alone.

For parents and caregivers, this topic can bring up a lot of emotions. You may wonder:

• How do I know if my child is struggling?
• What if I say the wrong thing?
• Should I ask my teenager about suicide?
• How can I help if they don’t want to talk to me?

These are difficult questions, but you don’t need to have all the answers to make a difference.

Suicide prevention starts long before a crisis. It can begin with something as simple as connection.

Creating a home or environment where children and teens feel comfortable expressing difficult emotions, asking for help, and talking about what’s happening in their lives is one meaningful way to support emotional well-being.

Why Connection Matters

Children and teenagers need to know that they matter to the people around them.

That doesn’t mean parents and caregivers have to prevent every difficult experience or make sure their children are happy all the time. Growing up naturally involves disappointment, frustration, conflict, loss, uncertainty, and uncomfortable emotions.

What children need is the confidence that they don’t have to face those experiences alone.

A connected child knows there is someone they can turn to.

A connected teenager knows that asking for help isn’t a weakness.

And a connected family creates opportunities for difficult conversations to happen before a situation reaches a crisis point.

Connection is built through hundreds of small moments.

It might be a simple as:

• Sitting together at the kitchen table
• Driving your child to practice
• Watching a favorite show together
• Taking the dog for a walk
• Playing a video game
• Making dinner together
• Asking about something they care about
• Sending a supportive text
• Saying goodnight
• Giving a hug
• Listening when they want to talk

While these moments may seem ordinary, they communicate something powerful:

“You are important to me, and I want to know what is happening in your world.”

Start the Conversation – Even When It’s Uncomfortable

One of the biggest barriers to supporting children and teens is the fear of talking about difficult subjects.

Parents sometimes worry that bringing up suicide, depression, self-harm, or other serious mental health concerns could make the situation worse.

If you’re concerned about your child, avoiding the conversation doesn’t make the concern disappear.

Instead, think of the conversation as an opportunity to listen and understand.

You don’t need to interrogate your child.

You don’t need to immediately offer solutions.

And you don’t need to turn the conversation into a lecture.

Start with curiosity.

Try: “I’ve noticed you’ve seemed different lately. How have you been doing?”

Or: “You seem like you’ve had a lot on your mind. Do you want to talk about it?”

For a teenager who isn’t ready to talk, you can keep the door open: “You don’t have to talk right now. I just want you to know I’m here whenever you’re ready.”

That last part is important. A full conversation doesn’t have to happen all at once.

Sometimes the first step is to simply let your child know that the door is open.

Listen Before You Try to Fix

As caregivers, our instinct is often to solve problems.

When our child is hurting, we want to make the pain go away.

But when a child or teenager shares something difficult, jumping immediately into problem-solving can sometimes make them less likely to continue talking.

Try listening first.

Instead of: “You shouldn’t worry about that.”

Try: “That sounds like it has been really hard.”

Instead of: “You’ll feel better tomorrow.”

Try: “I’m glad you told me. Let’s figure out what support you need.”

Instead of: “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Try: “Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me now. Let’s work together on what we can do next.”

Pay Attention to Changes

Children and teens don’t always have the words to explain that they’re struggling.

Sometimes emotional distress shows up through behavior instead.

Parents may notice changes such as:

• Increased irritability or anger
• Frequent emotional outbursts
• Withdrawing from friends or family
• Losing interest in activities they previously enjoyed
• Difficulty concentrating
• Significant changes in sleep
• Changes in appetite
• Increased anxiety
• Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
• Giving away possessions or saying goodbye in unusual ways
• Talking about death, dying, suicide, or not wanting to be here
• Sudden changes in behavior or mood

It’s important to remember that one behavior or symptom does not automatically mean a child is suicidal.

Kids have bad days.

Teenagers can be moody.

Stress can affect sleep and appetite.

It’s the bigger picture matters.

Pay attention to significant, persistent, or increasing changes, especially when they occur alongside major stress, loss, conflict, bullying, trauma, or another difficult experience.

When something feels different, it’s okay to check in. You don’t need to wait until you are certain there is a problem.

What If My Child Says, “I’m Fine”?

Many parents are familiar with this response.

“How was your day?” “Fine.”

“What happened at school?” “Nothing.”

“Are you okay?” “I’m fine.”

Sometimes “fine” really does mean fine.

Other times, it means:

• I don’t know how to explain it.
• I don’t want to worry you.
• I’m embarrassed.
• I’m afraid you’ll be angry.
• I don’t have the energy to talk.

If your child isn’t ready to open up, don’t stop trying. Keep showing up.

Try connecting through an activity instead of sitting face-to-face for a serious conversation. Teens, especially, may find it easier to talk while driving, walking, cooking, or doing something together.

You can also say: “Okay. I won’t push you right now, but I’m always here if you want to talk.”

Then follow up later. Consistency matters.

Skill of the Month: Connect + Check In

This September, we’re encouraging families to practice a simple skill: Connect and Check In

CONNECTING:

Look for small, everyday opportunities to spend meaningful time together.

This doesn’t have to be elaborate.

Try:

• A five-minute bedtime check-in
• A weekly family meal
• A walk around the neighborhood
• Doing chores together
• Playing a game
• Getting coffee or a snack with your teenager
• Asking your child to teach you about something they’re interested in
• Creating a regular one-on-one parent-and-child activity

The goal isn’t quantity. It’s quality and consistency.

CHECKING IN:

Use open-ended questions that make it easier for your child to share.

Try:

• “What’s something that made you smile today?”
• “What was the hardest part of your day?”
• “Is there anything you’re worried about right now?”
• “Who do you feel most comfortable talking to when you’re having a hard time?”
• “What could I do that would make things a little easier?”

And sometimes the best question is simply: “How are you—really?”

Creating a Home Where Asking for Help Is Okay

Suicide prevention isn’t just about recognizing warning signs.

It’s also about creating a culture where seeking help is normal.

Children learn from the adults around them.

When parents talk openly and appropriately about emotions, stress, therapy, mistakes, and asking for support, they send the message that needing help is part of being human.

Parents might say:

• “Everyone needs support some times.”
• “You never have to handle something difficult by yourself.”
• “There isn’t a problem you’re going to get in trouble for telling me about.”
• “If you don’t feel comfortable talking to me, we’ll find another safe adult you can talk to.”

That last message can be particularly important for teenagers. Your child doesn’t have to tell you everything.

They do need to know that someone safe is available to help.

Build a “People Who Help Me” List

A practical activity for families this month is creating a list of trusted people your child or teen can turn to.

Sit down together and identify several people in different parts of their life.

At Home

• Parent or caregiver
• Grandparent
• Older sibling
• Another trusted relative

At School

• Teacher
• School counselor
• Coach
• School social worker
• Trusted staff member

In the Community

• Therapist
• Pediatrician
• Mentor
• Trusted family friend

Crisis Support

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• Local crisis services
• Emergency services when necessary

Write the names down. Put the list somewhere accessible.

For older teens, make sure they know how to access crisis resources independently as well.

Knowing who to contact before a crisis occurs can make reaching out feel less overwhelming when emotions are intense.

You Don’t Have to Wait for a Crisis to Seek Counseling

Sometimes families wait to seek counseling because they aren’t sure whether their child’s struggles are “serious enough.”

There doesn’t have to be a crisis before a child, individual, or family receives support.

Counseling can help develop healthy ways to cope with stress, communicate emotions, navigate relationships, build confidence, manage anxiety, work through difficult experiences, and better understand “self”.

It can also give parents tools for responding to challenging behaviors and supporting their child’s emotional development.

Asking for help isn’t an admission of failure. It’s an investment in well-being.

What Should I Do If I’m Worried About My Child?

If your child tells you they’re thinking about suicide or hurting themselves, take what they say seriously.

Stay as calm as you can and focus on keeping them safe.

Listen without judgment and help connect them with appropriate professional or crisis support.

You don’t have to determine the perfect next step by yourself.

Call or text 988

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or a mental health crisis. You can also contact 988 when you’re concerned about someone else and need guidance about how to respond.

If there is an immediate danger or life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Seeking help is not an overreaction. When it comes to safety, it’s okay to take concerns seriously.

 

A Message for Parents

If there is one thing we’d like families to take away from Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, it’s this:

You don’t have to say everything perfectly to make a difference.

• You don’t need a perfect parenting strategy.
• You don’t need to know exactly what your child is thinking.
• You don’t need to fix every problem.

Start by being present.

Ask. Listen. Notice. Follow up.

And when something feels bigger than what you can manage on your own, reach out for support.

Your child doesn’t need you to have every answer. They need to know they don’t have to face difficult moments alone.

Connection Is Prevention…Everyday

Suicide prevention is not something we should think about only in September.

It is part of the everyday work of building families and communities where children and teens feel valued, supported, and comfortable asking for help.

• A five-minute conversation matters.
• A listening ear matters.
• A parent who notices a change matters.
• A teacher who checks in matters.
• A counselor who provides a safe place to talk matters.

Connection matters.

And sometimes, one person simply being willing to say, “I’m here. Let’s figure this out together,” can be the beginning of getting someone the support they need.

This September, make time to connect.

Ask the extra question. Listen a little longer. Keep the conversation going.

And remind the children and teens in your life:

“You matter. You are not alone. And you can always ask for help.”

Need Support?

If your child, teen, or family is experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges, professional support can help.

KidStuff Counseling provides compassionate counseling services for children, teens, adults, and families.

📞 970-775-7061
🌐 kidstuffcounseling.com

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support available 24/7.

If there is immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.