Suicide
What to Do If Your Child Is in Crisis
1. Prioritize Immediate Safety
- Remove Potential Hazards: Secure medications, sharp objects, and anything else that could be used for self-harm.
- Create a Safe Space: Encourage open communication by letting your child know they can share their thoughts without fear of judgment.
- Create a safety plan , it can help guide the conversation with loved ones as well as for yourself if you find yourself in a crisis. A plan for what to do before a crisis occurs is an important step in suicide prevention.
2. Establish a Supportive Environment
- Be Present: Use the framework: Look. Listen. Love.
- Look for signs your child might need extra support.
- Listen to their feelings and validate their emotions without judgment.
- Love them unconditionally by showing patience and understanding.
- Model Calmness: Your emotional state can influence theirs. Take care of yourself so you can stay calm and supportive.
3. Create a Care Team
- Start or Continue Therapy or Counseling: Ensure your child attends follow-up appointments with their behavioral health professional. If you need assistance finding a mental health provider, access the Mental Health Directory.
- Collaborate With Professionals: Keep in touch with your child’s care team, including their primary doctor or school staff, to understand and follow their recommendations. If you’re unsure where to start, reach out to your local Human Service Center for support.
- Use Crisis Resources: Keep the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number accessible for emergencies.
4. Encourage Connection
- Foster Healthy Relationships: Help your child build a circle of supportive friends and family members.
- Engage in Activities: Encourage activities that your child enjoys and finds meaningful.
5. Watch for Warning Signs
- Changes in behavior, mood, or sleep patterns.
- Withdrawal from friends and family.
- Talking about feeling hopeless or burdensome.
6. Take Care of Yourself
- Seek Support: Joining a support group for parents can help you process your emotions and feel less alone.
- Self Care: Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Take moments to recharge so you can continue to provide care.
7. Keep the Conversation Going
- Talk openly about mental health. By normalizing these discussions, you reduce stigma and show your child it’s okay to seek help. Listening is just as important as talking—when you take the time to truly listen, you help your child feel valued and understood.
- Recovery is a journey, not a straight path. Your presence, love, and persistence can make all the difference. You’ve got this—and help is always available.
Crisis Line Safety Plan
This worksheet helps you create a personalized safety plan to manage difficult moments.
Identifying Signs of Stress in Your Children and Teens
Young people, like adults, experience stress. This handout provides tips for parents on how recognize signs of stress in their kids.
Understanding Youth Suicide: Signs, Risks, and How to Help
Parents, friends, and other trusted adults are in a key position to identify the signs of teen suicide and get help. This document highlights the key risk factors and warning signs of teen suicide and ways to respond.
Recognizing and Responding to Suicidal Thoughts in Youth
Youth who are contemplating suicide frequently give warning signs – some more subtle, others more pronounced. Parents, friends, and other trusted adults are in a key position to identify the signs and get help. Suicide is preventable.
Helping Young People Cope and Heal with a Suicide Loss
When your child loses a loved one to suicide, it can feel overwhelming for both of you. You’re likely facing your own grief while trying to support your child through theirs. Your care and patience can make a big difference in helping them heal. Remember, everyone grieves differently and at their own pace.
Supporting Your Child After a Suicide Attempt
This handout offers guidance on how to support your child after a suicide attempt and outlines important next steps.
Suicide Prevention - 4-6-3 Foundation (463foundation.org)
The 4-6-3 Foundation was founded by Todd and Elizabeth Medd in 2021 following the loss of their 15-year-old son, Liam, to suicide.
Fargo Police Department's 'Break the Silence' Documentary on suicide prevention
Over the past year, the Fargo community suffered the tragic loss of two students to suicide. The Community Engagement Team rallied together to find a way to raise awareness and provide education on suicide prevention for the youth in our community and their parents
Suicide Prevention & Response: A Toolkit for Schools
Parents Lead have created a straightforward toolkit with practical resources and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to help your school promote supports, build resilience and provide hope when it’s needed most.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or Text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Mental Health Program Directory
The Mental Health Program Directory provides a single place for North Dakota citizens to search for mental health services that meet their needs. This registry allows users to: Search by location and other details View program information, including program name, address, and phone number.
Public Behavioral Health Clinics
North Dakota's Health and Human Services agency operates eight regional human service centers that provide behavioral health services to North Dakotans. Each center serves a designated multi-county area.
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique
The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique is a stress-management exercise that uses the five senses to help you focus on the present moment. It can help reduce anxiety, improve concentration, and regulate emotions.
Feelings Thermometer
The Feelings Thermometer is a visual tool that helps you (kids and adults) measure how you are doing emotionally and what steps you can take to shift your mood when things are getting tough.
Finger Tracing Cards
Print and cut out these finger tracing calming flash cards to use when you need some quiet, relaxing time. Each card has a different shaped trail to trace with your finger while you relax and breathe. This set comes with 27 finger tracing cards, and a cover card.