If your child is talking about suicide, self-harming, spiraling emotionally, or you’re unsure whether this has become a mental health crisis, this page can help you decide when calling 988 makes sense and what to do next.
Start with how urgent the situation feels right now. We’ll help you sort through warning signs, level of risk, and when parents should call 988 for suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or a teen crisis.
988 connects you to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for urgent emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, self-harm concerns, and other mental health crises. Parents often call because they are asking, “Should I call 988 for my teenager?” or “How do I know when this is serious enough?” You do not need to wait until a child has made an attempt or has a fully formed plan to reach out. If your child seems at risk, is saying they want to die, is self-harming and becoming harder to calm, or the situation feels beyond what you can safely manage at home, calling 988 can be an appropriate next step.
Call 988 if your child or teen says they want to die, talks about killing themselves, expresses hopelessness, or you’re worried about suicidal ideation even if they later minimize it.
If your child is self-harming, escalating in intensity, unable to stop, or talking about not wanting to be here, 988 can help you assess immediate risk and next steps.
If emotions are escalating quickly, your child is panicking, dissociating, threatening to run away, acting recklessly, or you feel unsure you can keep them safe, calling 988 is reasonable.
Call 911 if your child has taken steps to attempt suicide, has a weapon, has ingested pills or substances, is unconscious, or is in immediate physical danger.
If there is severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, trouble breathing, seizure activity, or another urgent medical issue, emergency medical care should come first.
If your child is actively violent, cannot be supervised safely, or may act within moments, emergency services may be needed right away.
Many parents hesitate because they worry about overreacting. In reality, uncertainty is one of the most common reasons to call 988. You can reach out when you are trying to figure out whether this is a crisis, whether self-harm has crossed into suicide risk, or whether your teen’s behavior needs urgent support. Calling 988 is not only for the worst-case scenario. It can also help parents think clearly, reduce panic, and decide on the safest next step.
If you’re worried they may act soon, stay nearby, keep your voice calm, and avoid leaving them alone until you have more support.
Move medications, sharp objects, cords, firearms, and other dangerous items out of reach or out of the home if possible.
Ask clearly if they are thinking about hurting themselves or ending their life. Direct questions do not plant the idea and can give you important information fast.
Yes, you can. A plan is not required to call 988. Statements about wanting to die, feeling hopeless, or not wanting to be here can still signal meaningful risk and deserve immediate support.
Yes, especially if self-harm is increasing, happening repeatedly, tied to suicidal thoughts, or leaving you unsure about safety. 988 can help you sort out whether the behavior reflects a broader crisis.
That is a valid reason to call. Many parents use 988 because they need help deciding how urgent the situation is and what kind of support is needed right now.
Parents can call 988 directly. If your child is unwilling, overwhelmed, or unable to talk, you can still reach out and explain what is happening.
Call 911 if there is immediate danger, a suicide attempt in progress, access to a weapon with intent to use it, a serious overdose, or any urgent medical emergency.
Answer a few questions about your child’s current safety, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and how quickly things are escalating. You’ll get personalized guidance designed for parents facing this exact decision.
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