If you’re thinking, “my child may hurt themselves—what should I do?” start here. Get clear, immediate next-step guidance for self-harm risk, including how to respond tonight, when to call 911 or 988, and how to keep your child safer right now.
We’ll help you quickly sort what level of risk you may be seeing, what to do in the next few minutes, and what kind of emergency mental health help may be appropriate for your child.
If your child is trying to hurt themselves now, has a weapon, has taken pills or another substance, is unconscious, cannot be kept safe, or has said they plan to act very soon, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now. If there is urgent suicide or self-harm risk but no immediate medical emergency, call or text 988 for immediate crisis support. Stay with your child if you can, move sharp objects, medications, cords, ropes, and other dangerous items out of reach, and keep your voice calm and direct. You do not need to solve everything tonight—you need to focus on immediate safety and getting the right help.
Do not leave your child alone if you believe they may hurt themselves. Remove or lock up medications, knives, razors, firearms, cords, alcohol, and other items they could use to self-harm.
Say what you are noticing without arguing or lecturing: “I’m really glad you told me. My job is to help keep you safe right now.” Ask clearly if they feel they might hurt themselves tonight.
Contact 988, your local crisis team, your child’s therapist, on-call pediatrician, or emergency department if risk feels urgent. If you cannot keep them safe at home, seek emergency help right away.
They are cutting, overdosing, choking, hitting themselves, or attempting any form of self-injury right now, or they cannot stop escalating.
They say they plan to hurt themselves soon, have said goodbye, written notes, searched for methods, gathered items, or seem unable to agree to stay safe.
They are intoxicated, panicked, dissociated, hearing voices, severely agitated, or medically unwell after self-harm or a possible overdose.
Parents often are not sure whether they are seeing self-harm, suicidal thinking, or both. Either way, take it seriously. You do not need perfect wording to help. Ask directly and calmly whether they are thinking about hurting themselves, whether they want to die, and whether they have a plan or access to means. Asking does not put the idea in their head. It helps you understand urgency so you can act. If your teen cannot commit to staying safe, or your gut says the risk is too high, treat it as an emergency.
Based on what you’re seeing, we help you sort whether this points to immediate danger, urgent same-day support, or close monitoring with a clear safety plan.
You’ll get guidance on when to call 911, when to contact 988, when to go to the ER, and when to reach out to a therapist, pediatrician, or crisis service.
Get practical parent guidance for talking with your child, staying calm, reducing access to self-harm tools, and avoiding common mistakes that can increase distress.
Stay with them if possible, remove access to anything they could use to self-harm, ask directly whether they plan to hurt themselves, and get immediate support if risk feels high. Call or text 988 for urgent crisis help. Call 911 or go to the ER if they are in immediate danger, have already injured themselves, taken substances, or cannot be kept safe.
It is an emergency when your child is trying to hurt themselves now, says they will do it very soon, has a plan and access to means, is severely agitated or intoxicated, has taken pills or another substance, or you cannot safely supervise them. In those situations, seek emergency help right away.
Call or text 988 for immediate crisis counseling and help deciding next steps when there is urgent mental health risk. Call 911 if there is a medical emergency, active self-harm in progress, loss of consciousness, dangerous behavior, a weapon, or you cannot keep your child or others safe.
Take it seriously. Self-harm without suicidal intent can still become dangerous and may signal intense distress. Ask whether they also want to die, whether they have a plan, and whether they think they might act tonight. If you are unsure, treat it as urgent and get crisis support.
Use a calm, direct approach: “I’m concerned because I care about you. Are you thinking about hurting yourself or ending your life?” Avoid debates, threats, or long lectures. Focus on listening, staying present, and getting help rather than trying to force a quick promise that everything is fine.
Answer a few questions to understand how urgent the situation may be, what safety steps to take right now, and which emergency support option may fit best for your child.
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Anxiety And Self-Harm
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Anxiety And Self-Harm
Anxiety And Self-Harm