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Do NOT leave your child alone.
Do NOT leave your child alone.
This is a difficult time for your child and your family. Enlist the help of trusted adults to support you and your child.
Remove or secure weapons
Remove or secure weapons
Ensure guns are locked up or inaccessible to your student; remove knives, razor blades or other sharps your child could use to harm themselves.
Supervise access to prescription drugs and other medications.
Supervise access to prescription drugs and other medications.
Consider keeping medications in a locked box or cabinet and supervise your child when they take their medication.
Talk with your child.
Talk with your child.
In addition to feeling suicidal, your child may feel shame, embarrassment, and guilt. They need reassurance from you that they did the right thing by coming forth with their suicidal thoughts. Listen in a nonjudgmental way and offer your support. It can also be a good idea to monitor your child’s social media accounts.
Do NOT punish your child.
Do NOT punish your child.
Asking for help is difficult for many people. Punishing your child for sharing their thoughts and feelings can be counterproductive and may cause your child to avoid asking for help in the future. Even if you feel they are exaggerating or attention seeking, take their comments seriously.
Be a part of the care plan and ask questions.
Be a part of the care plan and ask questions.
Depending on the outcome of the evaluation with medical staff, your child may or may not need to be admitted to the hospital to keep him/her safe. Ask questions if you have them.
If your child is admitted to a hospital facility, consider signing a Release of Information (ROI) for specific PSD staff to talk with hospital personnel.
If your child is admitted to a hospital facility, consider signing a Release of Information (ROI) for specific PSD staff to talk with hospital personnel.
This can be very helpful for the student’s re-entry back to school after a hospital stay.
If your child sees a therapist or other mental health professional outside of school, consider signing a Release of Information for specific PSD staff to talk with your child’s therapist.
If your child sees a therapist or other mental health professional outside of school, consider signing a Release of Information for specific PSD staff to talk with your child’s therapist.
This can be very helpful for coordinating care and interventions between the therapist, family, and school. Such staff can include, but is not limited to, school counselor, mental health specialist, social worker, and/or school psychologist.
Utilize your resources:
Utilize your resources:
Local Crisis Services: Available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
Local Crisis Services: Available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
Community Crisis Center: 970-494-4200 (press 1 to speak to someone); 24/7 Walk-in or call services
Located at: 2260 West Trilby Road, Ft. Collins, CO 80526
Poudre Valley Hospital (UC Health Systems): 970-495-7000, ask for the Crisis Assessment Center
Located at: 1024 S. Lemay Ave, Fort Collins in the Emergency Room
Ongoing Counseling Services
Ongoing Counseling Services
CAYAC: 970-221-3308
Mental Health Connections: 970-221-5555
SummitStone Health Partners: 970-494-4200
Call your insurance provider to get a comprehensive list of who they cover
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.com
Suicide Resource Center: (970)-635-9301 or www.suicideresourcecenter.org
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