For Parents

“Trevor was an intelligent, athletic, volatile child. He played varsity football, coached his younger brother's basketball team and earned a 3.95 GPA with awards in chemistry, geometry and the arts. He wasn't involved in drinking or drugs, but was quick to anger, easily frustrated, perfectionistic and impulsive. On January 19, 1992, Trevor killed himself. We now know that he was upset about loosing his girlfriend, that he was probably depressed, that he had talked with a friend about suicide and that, in anticipation of his death, he had given away his favorite baseball cap.

After the funeral we read about youth suicide and learned that there are ‘warning signs’. Because we were not educated about suicide, Trevor's cries for help fell on deaf ears.

We attended conferences and seminars. We joined national associations that promote suicide awareness. We met with the principal of Trevor's high school in the hopes of starting a suicide prevention program. We did not want other survivors to be asking these same questions: 'Why wasn't more done to educate the general public?' 'Why wasn't my son given the choice of life over death?' 'Why could no one hear his pain?' “

— Scot and Leah Simpson, couple who initiated youth suicide prevention in Washington state

Many parents don’t know about youth suicide, or how to identify or intervene with an at-risk young person. To help educate parents, YSPP offers a free brochure, “A Parent’s Guide to Recognizing and Treating Depression in Your Child,” and guides to early warning signs of problems in teens. To request copies of the Depression brochure, click here, and for the teen slides, use this form to request copies.

Free presentations:
YSPP frequently educates parents and community members about the issue of youth suicide. Presentations are interactive and encourage participation.
• Speakers may include a parent-survivor, a mental health professional and/or children’s advocate
• Speakers can be arranged for many different groups, including PTA, Rotary and service organizations, church groups, “brown-bag” lunches at places of employment, etc.

Tips for Parents

1. Know the Warning Signs.
2. Show You Care. Communicate your concern in a non-judgmental way.
3. Ask the Question. Talking to your children about suicide will not put thoughts into his head. In fact, talking to your child lowers the risk of suicide.
4. Get Help. If your child indicates he/she is contemplating suicide, or if your gut instinct tells you they might hurt themselves, take immediate action. Do not leave your child alone. Even if he denies "meaning it," stay with him. Reassure her. Seek professional help. If necessary, drive your child to the emergency room to ensure she is safe until a psychiatric evaluation can be completed.