Monitoring

Parents often wonder how often or how closely they should monitor their adolescents after they have been in the hospital for suicidal behavior.  This may depend on several factors including how recently your teen felt suicidal, how likely you feel your teen will use their safety plan, and how likely it is that your teen will tell you if he or she is feeling suicidal again.

Wondering what exactly you should be “monitoring”? One first step is to be on the lookout for signals that your teen may be struggling. Mental health professionals sometimes call these signals “warning signs.” Click here to learn more about what to look out for.

In the immediate time period following discharge from the hospital, it is important to keep a closer watch on your teen than you might be used to. Be patient with yourself and your teen as you both adjust to having them back at home with you. Monitor and limit their access to any dangerous materials, make sure they are attending their therapy and/or medication appointments, and follow the recommendations of your teen’s care team. Ask your teen’s therapist for recommendations on how closely you should be monitoring and what you should be looking out for. For more information, click on the website topics for Home Safety, Continued Care for your Teen, and/or Medicine for Mental Health Issues.

Talk with your teen. This can be a valuable tool for getting the information you need to decide how closely you should be monitoring your teen at any given time. Ask them how they are doing! Listen to what they say, both with their words and with their actions. Click here for more tips on talking and listening to your teen.