If your teenager may be in a mental health crisis, having suicidal thoughts, or self-harming, 988 can connect you to immediate support. Learn when parents should call, what happens on the call, and get clear next-step guidance based on your situation.
Start with how urgent your teen’s situation feels. We’ll help you understand when to call 988, when to text, and when emergency services may be the safer choice.
Parents can call 988 when a teen is talking about suicide, showing signs of a mental health crisis, self-harming, or becoming emotionally overwhelmed in a way that feels unsafe or hard to manage alone. You do not need to wait until you are completely sure it is an emergency. If you are asking yourself whether your teen’s behavior is serious enough, 988 is designed for exactly that kind of moment. A trained crisis counselor can help you think through risk, de-escalate the situation, and decide on the safest next step.
Call if your teen says they want to die, talks about not wanting to be here, mentions a plan, or gives other signs that make you worry about suicide risk.
If your teen is self-harming, threatening to hurt themselves, or spiraling into panic, hopelessness, rage, or shutdown, 988 can help you respond calmly and safely.
Many parents call because they are not sure whether the situation is immediate danger or a fast-moving crisis. 988 can help you sort out urgency and next steps.
You will be connected with a trained counselor who listens, asks about what is happening, and helps assess how urgent the situation is for your teen.
The counselor may guide you through calming the moment, reducing access to means of self-harm, deciding whether your teen should stay with you, and identifying immediate supports.
Depending on risk, they may suggest staying on the line, using local crisis resources, going to the ER, or calling 911 if there is immediate danger right now.
A good option when you want to talk through a teen mental health crisis in real time, especially if you need help judging risk or managing the situation as a parent.
Some parents prefer the 988 text line when speaking out loud is difficult, privacy is limited, or texting feels easier in a tense moment.
Use emergency services if your teen has a weapon, has taken an overdose, is unconscious, has severe injuries, or is in immediate danger of acting on suicidal thoughts.
Yes, calling 988 can be appropriate if your teen is self-harming or talking about wanting to hurt themselves. Self-harm does not always mean a suicide attempt, but it is still a sign that your teen needs support and a safety-focused response. If there is severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, ingestion of substances, or any immediate medical danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Yes. Parents can call 988 to get guidance even if the teen is unwilling, unable, or not ready to speak. The counselor can help you assess risk, respond in the moment, and decide what to do next.
Start with your teen’s age, what you are seeing, what was said or done, whether there has been self-harm or suicidal talk, and whether there is immediate danger right now. You do not need perfect wording to get help.
Not automatically. The goal is to provide crisis support and determine the safest response. Emergency services are typically considered when there is immediate danger that cannot be managed safely otherwise.
Yes. Parents can use the 988 text line if texting is more practical or feels easier during a crisis. It can be a useful option when you need support but cannot speak freely.
Yes, it can still be appropriate to call. Suicidal thoughts should be taken seriously even if your teen says they do not plan to act. 988 can help you evaluate risk and make a safety plan.
Answer a few questions to receive personalized guidance for your teen’s current situation, including when to call 988, when texting may help, and when emergency care may be needed.
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