💛 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

You are not alone. Hope and help are here.

Every September, we come together to talk openly about mental health, remember those we have lost, and remind every person in our village that their life matters. Parents, caregivers, siblings, and the children and teens we serve all carry heavy loads at times. Reaching out is a sign of strength.

Children Can Struggle Too

Many people believe young children are too little to have thoughts of suicide, but children as young as 5 years old can have these thoughts. Young kids may not have the words to tell us how much they are hurting, so it shows up in what they say, how they play, and how they act. Every sign deserves to be taken seriously.

Know the Signs: Look Out for All of Them

Disconnecting

• Pulling away from family, friends, or classmates.
• Losing interest in favorite toys, games, shows, or activities.
• Spending more time alone, seeming far away, numb, or "not there."

Random or unusual conversations

• Out-of-the-blue talk about dying, death, or going away, even if it seems casual or comes up during play.
• Saying things like "I wish I was never born," "I want to disappear," or "Everyone would be better off without me."
• Drawings, stories, or pretend play that keep returning to death or hurting themselves.
• Saying goodbye in unusual ways or giving away special belongings.

Changes in mood and behavior

• Talking about feeling hopeless, trapped, worthless, or like a burden.
• More sadness, crying, anger, irritability, or meltdowns than usual.
• Big changes in sleep, eating, energy, or school performance.
• Frequent stomachaches or headaches with no clear cause.
• Going back to younger behaviors, or acting out in new, risky ways.
• After bullying, a loss, or a big change at home, seeming to not bounce back.

For children who communicate differently, including children who are autistic or use AAC, changes in behavior, routines, sleep, or regulation may be the first and only signs that something is wrong. Trust what you notice.

How You Can Help

• Take it seriously. Never brush it off as "just a phase" or attention-seeking, no matter how young the child is.
• Ask directly. Asking someone if they are thinking about suicide does not put the idea in their head. It opens the door. With young children, use simple words: "Have you been thinking about hurting yourself or not wanting to be alive?"
• Listen without judgment. You don't need the perfect words. Stay calm and stay close.
• Help them connect. Call or text 988 together, and reach out to your child's pediatrician, a counselor, or a mental health professional.
• Stay in touch. Keep checking in. A simple "I'm here, and I love you" can make a real difference.

Caring for Caregivers

Raising and supporting a child with special needs is full of love, and it can also be exhausting and isolating. Your mental health matters too. Rest, ask for help, and lean on your village. 988 is there for you as well.

Check on your people. Check on your little ones. Check on yourself. Every life is worth holding onto.

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