Safety Planning with Kids
Suicidal ideation among children and adolescents is a growing concern and an uncomfortable reality, but awareness contributes to prevention.
Intense emotional pain is often dismissed in young people, but many face overwhelming stress, trauma, or challenges that can lead to unsafe thoughts or behaviors. Early recognition and open conversations are essential for risk reduction.
When communities are well informed about warning signs, preventative measures can be employed. Suicide prevention may include access to mental health resources (including the suicide hotline), hospitalization, and the development of a safety plan that empowers kids with strategies to navigate crisis moments.
According to a review by Geoffroy et al. (2022), “a high number of children in the general population can experience suicidal ideation and self-harm behaviors, thus underlining the need for more research on childhood suicide, including developmentally appropriate preventive strategies, such as youth-nominated support teams or dialectical behavioral therapy.”
Early intervention can be life-saving. A safety plan is a personalized roadmap that kids can reference in times of distress. These plans work best when they are workshopped with a trusted adult to help kids identify triggers, pinpoint coping mechanisms, recognize gratitude, and determine safe people and places that can offer support.
When developed collaboratively with a trusted adult, safety planning shows kids that they are valued and that there is hope and help for them.
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, Text, or Chat
If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here.
“At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.”
REFERENCES
988 Lifeline. (n.d.). 988 Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org
Geoffroy, M., Bouchard, S., Per, M., Khoury, B., Chartrand, E., Renaud, J., Turecki, G., Colman, I., & Orri, M. (2022). Prevalence of suicidal ideation and self-harm behaviours in children aged 12 years and younger: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 9(9), 703–714. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(22)00193-6
