Okay. And we have this last question here, and it’s a little bit of a heavy one, but a very important question: how to deal with a child who is having suicidal thoughts or ideation.
This is a great question because a lot of parents have this experience. In today’s culture, it’s very common. First and foremost—relationship comes first. The child must know we care. Parents can either overreact or underreact. Ideally, we find a middle ground: a space where the child feels safe saying, “It’s okay to talk with me about this.”
Parents need to be comfortable talking about it—not fearful—because our fear can increase their fear. So the key is to calmly ask, “What are you experiencing?” and be specific: “Do you have a plan?” “Have you had a plan?” That helps determine the level of risk, which is critical information.
Greg Hudnall has a course on ParentGuidance.org that helps parents learn how to talk to their children about suicidal ideation. I highly recommend checking out that resource—it covers this much more thoroughly than I can in a few minutes.
But some key takeaways: Open dialogue is essential. Don’t be afraid to talk about it or ask directly. If the child has a plan or has considered one, it’s important to remove access to means—such as guns, poison, or anything else that could be used to harm themselves.
Children, especially those in high-stress situations, are more likely than adults to act on impulse. Their brains are still developing. Research shows some children can attempt suicide within five minutes of a triggering event. So impulse control is crucial.
Help them understand: if they ever feel that way, they can say, “I need help,” and you will be there—because you love them, you need them, and you want them in your life. Let them know they matter and are loved deeply. That kind of emotional safety is essential.
Also, educate yourself and let your child know you are comfortable having these conversations. I also recommend the My Life is Worth Living video series. There’s one especially moving episode about a father and son talking after a soccer loss and being mocked on social media—that could be a great resource to share.
In closing, thank you, Dr. Skinner, and thanks to everyone for attending. Dr. Skinner, any final thoughts?
I just want to thank everyone for showing up, for being here, and for asking these important questions. I hope it’s been helpful. If so, please share with others in your schools or districts. Hopefully, we can help more people in need. Thank you very much.
