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Warning Signs of Suicide in Children and Teens

Table of Contents


Overview

Warning signs of suicide in children and teens include:

Not everyone who's at risk for suicide has these signs. They may have others. For example, they may seem hopeless, anxious, or depressed. Or they may quit caring about how they look.

There may also be other reasons for these behaviors.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If your child talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.

What puts children and teens at risk for suicide?

It's hard to know if a child or teen is thinking about suicide. But you can look for things that may make them more likely to have thoughts of suicide or to make a suicide attempt. These include their personal experiences and their family history.

Take any mention of suicide seriously. If a child or teen talks about suicide, self-harm, or feeling hopeless, get help right away.

Personal experiences

Children and teens may be more likely to think about or attempt suicide if they:

Family history

Children and teens may be at higher risk of suicide if they have:


Credits for Warning Signs of Suicide in Children and Teens

Current as of: June 24, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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