If your teen is in immediate danger, call 911. For help right now, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line at 1-800-715-4225, available 24/7.
Quick answer: Warning signs of suicide in teens include talking about wanting to die or being a burden, withdrawing from friends and family, hopelessness, giving away belongings, sudden calm after a period of distress, and increased drinking or drug use. If you notice these signs, ask your teen directly about suicide, listen without judgment, secure medications and firearms, and get professional help today.
How we put this guide together
Perry Behavioral Health is a residential mental health program in Perry, Georgia, for middle and high schoolers, including teens experiencing suicidal thoughts. This guide draws on national data from the CDC and SAMHSA and on widely used suicide prevention guidance. It’s written for parents and caregivers who are worried and want to know what to do next.
How common are suicidal thoughts in teens?
More common than most parents realize. In the CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 20.4% of high school students had seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, and 9.5% had attempted suicide. SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that an average of 11.9% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 had serious thoughts of suicide each year from 2022 to 2024.
These numbers are frightening, but they also mean you’re not alone, and that help is available. Most teens who get support through a suicidal crisis go on to recover.
Warning signs at a glance
| Type of sign | What you might notice | What to do |
| What they say | Talking about wanting to die, being a burden, or having no reason to live | Ask directly and get help today |
| Mood | Hopelessness, intense anger, anxiety, or sudden calm | Stay close and ask how they’re doing |
| Behavior | Withdrawing, giving away belongings, saying goodbye | Treat it as urgent |
| Daily life | Changes in sleep, eating, school and activities | Talk with a professional |
| Risk-taking | More drinking or drug use, reckless behavior, self-harm | Remove access to dangerous items; get help |
1. Talking about death, dying or being a burden
Statements like “I wish I wasn’t here,” “Everyone would be better off without me,” or “Nothing matters anymore” are serious warning signs, even if they’re said casually or as a joke. The same is true of social media posts, texts, drawings or school assignments that focus on death. Take every comment seriously.
2. Hopelessness and feeling trapped
Teens at risk often describe feeling stuck, like their pain will never end and nothing will change. Phrases like “What’s the point?” or “It’s never going to get better” signal hopelessness, which is one of the strongest warning signs for suicide.
3. Pulling away from friends, family and activities
Spending more time alone, avoiding friends, dropping out of sports or clubs they used to love, and shutting the family out can all signal deepening depression. Withdrawal is easy to mistake for normal teenage independence, so watch for changes that last more than a couple of weeks.
4. Giving away belongings or saying goodbye
Giving away prized possessions, writing goodbye messages, or making unusual efforts to resolve conflicts or “settle things” can mean a teen is preparing to die. These signs call for immediate action.
5. A sudden calm after a period of distress
A teen who has been deeply depressed and suddenly seems peaceful or upbeat may be improving, but it can also mean they’ve made a decision to end their life. If the change is abrupt and unexplained, check in directly.
6. Big changes in sleep, eating or school
Sleeping much more or much less, losing or gaining weight, falling grades, skipped classes and trouble concentrating are common signs of depression. On their own, they don’t mean a teen is suicidal, but together with other signs they deserve attention.
7. More drinking, drug use or risky behavior
Increased alcohol, cannabis, vaping or other drug use can be a way to numb emotional pain, and substances can make impulsive actions more likely. Reckless driving, dangerous stunts and other risky behavior can also signal that a teen has stopped caring about their own safety.
8. Self-harm
Self-harm, such as cutting or burning, isn’t always a suicide attempt, but it signals serious distress and raises the risk of future suicide attempts. Unexplained injuries, long sleeves in warm weather, or hiding parts of the body deserve a calm, caring conversation and professional support.
What to do if you’re worried
- Ask directly. Ask, “Are you thinking about suicide?” Research shows that asking about suicide does not plant the idea. It often brings relief and opens the door to help.
- Listen without judgment. Let your teen talk. Avoid arguing, lecturing or promising to keep secrets.
- Make the home safer. Lock up or remove firearms, and lock up medications, including over-the-counter ones, and alcohol. Reducing access to lethal means saves lives.
- Don’t leave them alone if you believe they’re in immediate danger. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Get help today. Call or text 988, or call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line at 1-800-715-4225, which can dispatch a mobile crisis team.
- Follow up with ongoing care. After a crisis, connect your teen with a therapist, psychiatrist or treatment program, and stay involved.
When ongoing treatment is needed
When suicidal thoughts keep returning, or weekly therapy hasn’t been enough, a higher level of care may help. Perry Behavioral Health treats suicidal ideation in teens through residential treatment that combines group and individual therapy, daily schooling and required family involvement. If you’re not sure what your teen needs, call us at (478) 324-4948 to talk it through. If your teen is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
FAQ
Will asking my teen about suicide put the idea in their head?
No. Research consistently shows that asking directly about suicide does not increase the risk. Many teens feel relieved that someone noticed and cared enough to ask. Use clear words, such as “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”, and be ready to listen and get help.
What is the difference between 988 and the Georgia Crisis and Access Line?
Both offer free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support. 988 is the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available by call or text. The Georgia Crisis and Access Line, 1-800-715-4225, can also dispatch mobile crisis teams and connect families with crisis services across Georgia. Either is a good place to start.
Should I take my teen to the emergency room?
Yes, if your teen has a plan to end their life, has access to the means to do it, has made an attempt, or you believe they’re in immediate danger. Call 911 if you can’t get them there safely. The emergency room can assess risk and arrange hospital care if needed.
Can my teen recover from suicidal thoughts?
Yes. Suicidal thoughts are often temporary and treatable. With support, including therapy, treatment for underlying conditions like depression, and a safer home environment, most teens who go through a suicidal crisis recover and go on to live full lives.
What should I do after a crisis is over?
Stay closely involved. Keep medications and firearms secured, schedule follow-up care quickly, create a safety plan with your teen’s clinician, and keep checking in. The weeks after a crisis or hospital stay are a vulnerable time, so ongoing support matters.