Asking children about suicidal thoughts is terrifying. As parents and caring adults, we don’t want to imagine children could be contemplating ending their life. Adults may struggle with anxious thoughts. Asking, “What if I say the wrong thing? What if they say no – did I just put the idea in their head? What if they say yes, what do I do? Is this my fault?”
This webinar discusses how service providers can assist parents in talking with their children about suicide. This session explores developmental considerations in how to ask about suicidal thoughts, how to be prepared for a yes answer, what role 988 can play, and what to do next.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Identify developmental considerations in talking with children about suicide
- Discuss an approach for talking with your child about suicide
- Identify steps for if youth say “Yes, I have thought about suicide.”
- Describe how and when to use 988
