{"id":19306,"date":"2026-09-12T15:40:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-12T21:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goldcrownfoundation.com\/?p=19306"},"modified":"2026-09-15T14:53:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T20:53:07","slug":"talk-about-suicide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goldcrownfoundation.com\/es\/talk-about-suicide\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Talk To Kids About Suicide and Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and at Gold Crown, we believe that open communication is one of the most powerful tools we have for supporting young people. Conversations about mental health and suicide can feel difficult, but they matter more than most of us realize. Our partners at Children's Hospital Colorado share expert guidance on how to talk openly with kids and teens, what warning signs to watch for, and why keeping that door open can make all the difference.<\/p>\n

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Suicide remains a critical public health concern for young people across the United States and in Colorado. Despite\u00a0encouraging declines<\/a>\u00a0in Colorado youth suicide rates, it is still one of the leading causes of death for teens and young adults. While this crisis is a concerning reality for caregivers, many mental health experts emphasize that talking openly about difficult topics, including suicidal thoughts, can be a powerful outlet for children and teens.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to mental health or suicide, it can be a really scary topic, and sometimes that can stifle conversations,\u201d says Sarah Brummett, Manager of the Preventing Suicide Initiative for Children\u2019s Hospital Colorado\u2019s\u00a0Instituto de Salud Mental Pedi\u00e1trica<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s important to talk openly with young people so they can come to you if they ever have an issue or want to talk about their feelings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why talking about suicide matters<\/h2>\n

At first, talking about suicide can be complex and difficult for individuals of any age. That said, avoiding conversations about mental health struggles can send kids the message that they should hide or handle their emotions alone, or even worse \u2014 send a message that there\u2019s nothing that can be done to support them.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot having discussions can lead children or teens to think that they\u2019re the only ones who feel sad or depressed, or that there\u2019s something wrong with them,\u201d Brummett says.<\/p>\n

Brummett also explains that talking about suicide does not create suicidal thoughts in a child\u2019s mind. Instead, it gives them a safe place to share their emotions and experiences. Brummett encourages caregivers to normalize emotions through everyday conversations with their teens and young children. This doesn't require constant check-ins \u2014 it\u2019s just creating an open, comfortable space where feelings are welcome.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can be as simple as recognizing your own emotions in front of your kids and letting them know what you\u2019re doing to feel better,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity to be vulnerable and show kids ways that they can cope with emotions.\u201d<\/p>\n

When should parents start talking about mental health?<\/h2>\n

\u201cWe have mental health from the day we\u2019re born,\u201d Brummett says. \u201cIt\u2019s important to normalize feelings and emotions from a very early age.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brummett explains that talking to kids or\u00a0teens about mental health<\/a>\u00a0doesn\u2019t always have to be about\u00a0crisis<\/a>\u00a0prevention \u2014 you don\u2019t have to involve suicide in every conversation about emotions. For younger children, you can frame mental health similarly to physical health: \u201cI want you to tell me when your tummy hurts, but I also want you to tell me when you are sad or having a bad day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starting these conversations early on makes it easier for kids to seek help if and when struggles arise. But even if conversations haven\u2019t been typical with your children before, it\u2019s never too late to start opening up. Whether your child is showing warning signs of depressive thoughts or simply growing more distant, open communication with a trusted adult is a protective factor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWe all need breathers. Giving ourselves tools to fall back on is so important.\u201d<\/p>\n

- SARAH BRUMMETT, MANAGER OF THE PREVENTING SUICIDE INITIATIVE<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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Warning signs of depression or suicide<\/h2>\n

Some\u00a0warning signs<\/a>\u00a0de\u00a0depresi\u00f3n<\/a>\u00a0or suicide overlap with average teenage behavior, so they can be easy to miss. Still, caregivers should pay attention to children or teens who are:<\/p>\n