Below you will find some things that the experts recommend not doing when you feel a child or adolescent is considering suicide. Remember not to:

Act shocked
Encourage guilt
Physically attempt to take a weapon away, if the youth is in possession
Promise total confidentiality
Minimize the problem
Leave the youth alone
Give up hope
Panic


It's critical that you follow-up by finding professional help after managing the initial interaction with the youth.

(If you are in Maine and are in a crisis now, please call the confidential statewide crisis hotline at 1-888-568-1112. If you are outside the state of Maine, Please call your local crisis response service or 911. If you are in the need of Acadia Services, please call 973-6100 or 1-800-640-1211 and ask for the Access Center.)