Crisis Lines for Parents Worried About Their Child

Yes, crisis lines are for worried parents too

You don't have to wait until your child is on the phone, or until things reach the worst point, to reach out. Crisis lines are for anyone affected by a mental health crisis — including parents and caregivers who are frightened, unsure, or simply need to talk something through 1Ref 1Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2024).988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Frequently Asked Questions.Explains how 988 operates, who it serves, and its specialized services for Veterans, Spanish speakers, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing users.. Reaching out for support is itself one of the recommended steps when you're worried about someone you love 2Ref 2National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (2024).5 Action Steps to Help Someone Having Thoughts of Suicide (Ask, Be There, Keep Them Safe, Help Them Connect, Follow Up).Evidence-informed action steps for helping someone at risk — ask, be there, keep them safe, help them connect, follow up — and that asking about suicide does not increase risk..

There is no question that's "too small." If your gut says something is wrong, that's reason enough to call.

What 988 is and how to reach it

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is the national crisis line in the United States. It's free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, every day, by call, text, or chat, connecting you to trained counselors through a network of more than 200 local crisis centers 3Ref 3Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2024).988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.988 provides free, confidential, 24/7 call/text/chat crisis support through a national network of 200+ local crisis centers..

• Call or text 988 any time, day or night.
• Chat online through the 988 Lifeline website.
• 988 also offers specialized support, including options for Veterans, Spanish speakers, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing callers 1Ref 1Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2024).988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Frequently Asked Questions.Explains how 988 operates, who it serves, and its specialized services for Veterans, Spanish speakers, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing users..

You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. If your child is in immediate physical danger, call 911.

What happens when you call

When you reach 988, a trained counselor listens without judgment and helps you sort through what's happening 3Ref 3Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2024).988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.988 provides free, confidential, 24/7 call/text/chat crisis support through a national network of 200+ local crisis centers.. You can describe what your child has said or done, and the counselor can help you recognize warning signs, decide whether this is an emergency, and plan a safe next step 4Ref 4National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (2024).Warning Signs of Suicide.Warning signs of suicide that should prompt help-seeking and crisis-line contact..

They may walk you through calming the moment, help you talk with your child, or guide you toward an urgent evaluation or emergency care if needed 3Ref 3Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2024).988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.988 provides free, confidential, 24/7 call/text/chat crisis support through a national network of 200+ local crisis centers.. The call is confidential, and you can stay on the line as long as you need.

While you wait or call: keep your child safe

If you're worried about your child's safety, a few steps help right away. Stay close and don't leave them alone if you think they may be in danger. Calmly ask whether they are thinking about suicide — asking does not increase risk and can open the door to help 2Ref 2National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (2024).5 Action Steps to Help Someone Having Thoughts of Suicide (Ask, Be There, Keep Them Safe, Help Them Connect, Follow Up).Evidence-informed action steps for helping someone at risk — ask, be there, keep them safe, help them connect, follow up — and that asking about suicide does not increase risk..

Reduce access to anything they could use to hurt themselves; securing or removing lethal means such as firearms and medications is one of the most effective ways to prevent harm in a crisis 5Ref 5Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Means Matter (2024).Lethal Means Counseling.Reducing access to lethal means, especially firearms, is an evidence-based suicide-prevention strategy.. These same steps — ask, be there, keep them safe, help them connect, follow up — are recognized actions for supporting someone at risk 2Ref 2National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (2024).5 Action Steps to Help Someone Having Thoughts of Suicide (Ask, Be There, Keep Them Safe, Help Them Connect, Follow Up).Evidence-informed action steps for helping someone at risk — ask, be there, keep them safe, help them connect, follow up — and that asking about suicide does not increase risk..

When a clinician helps

A crisis line is the right call in the moment, and a mental health clinician is the right partner for what comes next. A clinician can use validated tools — such as the ASQ for youth or the C-SSRS — to assess how serious the risk is and what level of care your child needs 6Ref 6Horowitz LM, Bridge JA, Teach SJ, Ballard E, Klima J, Rosenstein DL, Wharff EA, Ginnis K, Cannon E, Joshi P, Pao M (2012).Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ): A Brief Instrument for the Pediatric Emergency Department.The 4-item ASQ has high sensitivity for identifying suicide risk in youth aged 10-21.7Ref 7Posner K, Brown GK, Stanley B, Brent DA, Yershova KV, Oquendo MA, Currier GW, Melvin GA, Greenhill L, Shen S, Mann JJ (2011).The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale: Initial Validity and Internal Consistency Findings From Three Multisite Studies With Adolescents and Adults.The C-SSRS is a validated measure of suicidal ideation severity and behavior in adolescents and adults.. They can build a collaborative safety plan, an evidence-informed best practice that gives your child concrete steps and contacts for when difficult thoughts return 8Ref 8Stanley B, Brown GK (2012).Safety Planning Intervention: A Brief Intervention to Mitigate Suicide Risk.The Safety Planning Intervention is a brief, collaborative, evidence-informed best practice for mitigating acute suicidal crises..

A clinician can also rule out or address underlying conditions, connect your family to evidence-based treatment, coordinate with your child's school, and arrange follow-up so support continues after the immediate crisis passes 9Ref 9Shaffer D, Pfeffer CR; AACAP Work Group on Quality Issues (2001).Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Suicidal Behavior.AACAP practice parameter detailing assessment, emergency management, and prevention strategies for suicidal youth.. Ongoing professional care and follow-up are part of keeping a young person safe over time 2Ref 2National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (2024).5 Action Steps to Help Someone Having Thoughts of Suicide (Ask, Be There, Keep Them Safe, Help Them Connect, Follow Up).Evidence-informed action steps for helping someone at risk — ask, be there, keep them safe, help them connect, follow up — and that asking about suicide does not increase risk..