It can be difficult to know when your child's behavior is part of a hard moment, or when something more serious may be happening.

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Self-harm, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, substance use, threats of violence, and experiences of abuse can all be frightening for parents to navigate. You don't need to diagnose your child or have all the answers. What matters most is noticing when something seems wrong, starting a conversation, and knowing when to bring in additional help.

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If you're concerned, trust that instinct. It is always okay to ask questions and seek professional support.

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Start Here: How Concerned Should I Be?

 

1. Is my child safe right now?
Consider whether your child:

• Has seriously hurt themselves or someone else

• Has taken an unknown or dangerous amount of drugs, alcohol, or medication

• Is talking about suicide and has a plan or intention to act

• Is threatening to seriously hurt someone

• Is extremely confused, disconnected from reality, or unable to keep themselves safe

• Is experiencing serious physical symptoms such as loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, seizures, or collapse

• Is currently being physically or sexually harmed or is in immediate danger

If you believe there is an immediate threat to your child's life or safety, seek emergency help now.
 
Where to get immediate crisis support: 

• 911 - If your child is in immediate danger, do not hesitate.

• 988 - Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call or text. Free, 24/7.

• 211 - Local Florida services, any need, anytime.

• 800-656-HOPE - RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline

• 1-866-488-7386 - TrevorLifeline for LGBTQ+ Youth

• 800-799-7233 - National Domestic Violence Hotline

• Florida Abuse Hotline, 1-800-962-2873

 
2. Is something getting worse?
You may notice changes that build over days, weeks, or months: your child is eating less, hurting themselves more often, using substances more heavily, becoming increasingly paranoid, talking about death, or struggling to function in ways they weren't before.
A pattern that is becoming more frequent, intense, dangerous, or disruptive is a reason to seek professional help, even if you're unsure exactly what is happening.

Know the warning signs: 

• Significant changes in mood, including persistent sadness, irritability, anger, fear, numbness, or extreme highs and lows

• Withdrawing from friends, family, school, work, activities, or relationships they previously cared about

• Sudden or significant changes in sleep, appetite, eating habits, hygiene, or daily routines

• A noticeable drop in school, work, or everyday functioning

• Increasing secrecy, isolation, or behavior that feels very different from your child’s usual personality

• Talking about feeling hopeless, trapped, worthless, like a burden, or that life is not worth living

• Talking about death, suicide, self-harm, hurting someone else, or disappearing

• Unexplained cuts, burns, bruises, injuries, or attempts to hide parts of the body

• Increasing preoccupation with food, weight, exercise, body shape, calories, or rigid food rules

• Significant changes in substance use, intoxication, blackouts, or using drugs or alcohol to cope

• Increased impulsivity, dangerous behavior, aggression, or loss of control

• Fear of a particular person, sudden changes in behavior around someone, unexplained injuries,  or other changes that raise concern about possible abuse

• Giving away meaningful belongings, saying unusual goodbyes, researching ways to die, or making preparations that suggest concern for suicide

• Unusual suspiciousness or paranoia, hearing or seeing things others do not, significant confusion, strange or unusually intense beliefs, or difficulty distinguishing what is real

• Any behavior that makes you worry your child may not be able to keep themselves or someone else safe

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You Don't Have to Decide Whether It's "Bad Enough" To Get Support

You don't have to wait until you're certain.

 

Start a conversation. Tell them what you've noticed. Listen more than you talk. And consider contacting someone who knows your child or knows how to assess the situation, such as their pediatrician, primary-care provider, therapist, psychiatrist, school mental-health professional, or another qualified mental-health professional.

 

When you're unsure, asking for help earlier is better than waiting for things to become a crisis.

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Not Sure Where to Start?

Pediatrician or primary-care provider: A good first step when you notice significant changes in your child's mood, behavior, eating, substance use, thinking, sleep, or functioning.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for immediate emotional or behavioral-health crisis support. You can call because you're worried about your child.
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment information and referrals for mental-health and substance-use concerns.
FindTreatment.gov: Search for mental-health and substance-use providers and treatment programs near you.
211: Call 211 to connect with local health, social-service, family, housing, food, and community resources. The service is free and confidential.
Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873 to report suspected child abuse, neglect, or abandonment in Florida.