If your child has made a suicide threat or suicidal statement, it can be hard to know how soon to call, what to say, or whether email is enough. This page helps you think through when to contact the therapist, how to share what happened clearly, and what kind of support to ask for next.
Start with how urgent this feels right now, and we’ll help you think through timing, what information to share, and how to reach out in a clear, supportive way.
In most cases, it makes sense to inform your child’s therapist after a suicide threat, suicidal statement, or other concerning comment about wanting to die. Therapists need current information to understand risk, adjust treatment, and guide next steps. If you are worried about immediate safety, emergency support comes first. If the immediate crisis has passed, contacting the therapist as soon as possible can still be an important part of follow-up care.
Share the exact words if you can, along with any actions, threats, self-harm behavior, or signs that made you concerned.
Let the therapist know when the suicide threat happened, whether it was repeated, and if there were triggers such as conflict, bullying, loss, or a sudden mood shift.
Mention any safety steps you took, whether your child was evaluated, and whether there is still current concern about access to means or ongoing suicidal thoughts.
A phone call is often best when you need help the same day, want to explain urgency, or are unsure how serious the situation is.
An email can help you organize facts clearly, especially if you want to include exact statements, timing, and what support you are requesting.
Many parents call first for urgent guidance and then send a follow-up message so the therapist has a written summary for the record.
Start plainly: your child made a suicide threat or suicidal statement, and you want guidance on next steps and safety.
You do not need perfect wording. Clear facts are more helpful than trying to sound calm or clinical.
You can ask whether your child should be seen sooner, whether a safety plan needs updating, and what you should monitor at home.
Yes, it is usually wise to inform the therapist. Even if your child later minimizes it, the therapist needs to know about suicidal statements or threats to assess risk and guide care.
If there is immediate danger, seek emergency help right away. If the immediate crisis has passed, contact the therapist as soon as you reasonably can, ideally the same day or next available opportunity.
Either can be appropriate. Call when you need timely guidance or are worried about urgency. Email can be useful for sharing details clearly. In some situations, doing both is the best approach.
If a statement raised concern about wanting to die, self-harm, or not wanting to be here, it is reasonable to tell the therapist. You do not need to decide on your own whether it was serious enough before reaching out.
Briefly explain what your child said or did, when it happened, what you observed, and whether you are worried about current safety. Then ask what the therapist recommends for follow-up and support.
Answer a few questions to sort through urgency, what information to share, and the next step that fits your situation.
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