Suicide Prevention: What Can Parents Do?

Acknowledging that discussing mental health and suicide can be very awkward, they offer conversation starters, videos on mental health awareness, a list for recognizing the warning signs of suicide ideation and guidance on what to do after that conversation. In their Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention, the AAP presents a video that helps identify young people 12 and older who are at risk for suicide. They remind parents that it can be hard to pinpoint mental health issues at an early age, and that even teens without an underlying mental health issue may be considering suicide.