Suicide & Self Harm Prevention Safety Guide 

As a parent supporting a teen with suicidal ideation and self-harm struggles, I realized it was imperative to take proactive safety steps at home to keep my teen safe. Along the way, I learned a lot a lot and having a suicide and self-harm prevention safety guide was critical for me to create a safer space for my child. Furthermore, I cannot stress enough the importance of keeping the lines of communication open and encouraging honest, ongoing dialogue with your child.

I want to be clear: I am not a mental health provider, and the following is simply the list of steps I followed. Please consult with your child’s doctor or mental health provider for personalized and ongoing guidance.

Developing a Safety Plan For Thoughts of Suicide & Self Harm

A safety plan is a personalized and practical tool designed to help your child navigate moments of crisis by providing a structured list of coping strategies and support resources. In addition, it serves as a guide that your child can turn to when they feel overwhelmed or are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Importantly, safety plans are tailored to the unique needs and preferences of your child, ensuring that they feel supported and empowered during difficult times. For us, it’s not just a tool for emergencies-it also a way to build resilience and develop healthier coping mechanisms over time.

Here are two examples of safety plans my teen used:      Safety Plan 1         Safety Plan 2

To ensure accessibility, I made several copies of the completed safety plan so it would always be with reach for both of us. My teen and I treated it like a contract, and we both signed it. I kept print copies at home and also stored it on my phone for quick access.

Additionally, it’s essential to work closely with school staff, such as counselors or administrators, to develop a plan that supports your child’s safety while they are at school. For my child, this collaboration was incredibly helpful and made a significant difference.

How to Keep Your Child Safe

I made it a priority to monitor Ryan’s whereabouts and emotional state as best as I could. Though this could sometimes feel overwhelming, I found the following strategies helpful in maintaining a balance between vigilance and respect for their independence:

• Check on them often at home, even if they seem to be doing well. At times, I felt like I was being a pest, but I learned that sometimes being a pest was necessary. For example, Ryan agreed to keep their bedroom door open, which helped me monitor them in a way that felt natural and non-intrusive.
• Communicate your location so they know how to reach you quickly if needed.
• Ensure that a trusted adult is always present when your child visits friends or family.
  • Importantly, this adult should be informed about and supportive of your child’s safety plan.

Talking to Your Teen

Supporting Ryan through their self-harm and suicidal struggles made me realize that open communication is one of the most vital aspects of healing. Creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for dialogue wasn’t just helpful—it was healing. I knew my words and actions could have a profound impact on their journey, so I made every effort to approach these conversations with care and intention.

Helpful Tools I Used:

1. Be Fully Present. Whenever Ryan was ready to talk, I made sure they had my undivided attention. This meant putting away distractions—yes, even my phone—and sitting with them to provide a calm, open space for sharing their thoughts. Even if Ryan didn’t always want to talk, we found other ways to connect, like watching movies or TV series together.
2. Educate Yourself About Their Struggles. I took time to learn about self-harm and suicidal behaviors because understanding their challenges empowered me to respond thoughtfully rather than react out of fear.
3. Validate Their Feelings. Teens struggling with mental health often have difficulty articulating their pain. I made sure to acknowledge Ryan’s feelings by using phrases like, “I hear you,” or “I’m here to help you figure this out.” Even when I didn’t have all the answers, simply being there and listening made a difference.
4. Encourage Professional Support. While my role as a parent was critical, I also knew the importance of involving trained professionals. I supported Ryan in attending therapy and reminded them that seeking help wasn’t a sign of weakness but a step toward healing.
5. Practice Coping Together. Therapy introduced new coping tools, which I actively practiced with Ryan. From mindfulness exercises to journaling and working through the safety plan, engaging in these activities together showed them that we were in this journey side by side.

Importance of Communication

Talking to your child about their struggles requires patience, love, and bravery. At times, their pain may feel overwhelming for both of you. However, don’t underestimate the power of simply being present. Your willingness to listen and learn sends a clear message: You matter, and I’m here for you—every step of the way.

How to Keep Your Home Safe

Creating a safe home environment is a critical step for teens experiencing suicidal and self-harm thoughts. Click below for a list I used to secure and remove potential hazards from my home. Hopefully, I didn’t miss anything, but everyone’s home is different. Just know this list may not include all dangerous items around your home.

Click here for printable Suicide & Self Harm Prevention Safety Guide.

By creating a Safety Plan, maintaining open communication, and taking the necessary steps to secure your home, you can provide a supportive environment to help your child. Always remember that professional help and crisis resources are there to support both you and your child.

 In the Event Of An Emergency

If your child expresses thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please take them seriously. Below is a list of potential options:

1. Contact your child’s doctor
2. Reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
   • • Call: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
     • Call or Text: 988
3. If the situation is critical, then call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.