Most young people who experience suicidal thoughts keep those thoughts to themselves. They might not bring it up on their own unless they are asked directly. Any time your adolescent visits their pediatrician, for any reason, they may be asked a simple question “Have you been having thoughts of killing yourself or ending your life?”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians ask these questions for children and teens age 12 years and older. It’s because pediatricians know that young people may have mental health concerns that they are not sharing with others. If your child shares that they are having suicidal thoughts, their pediatrician will ask more questions to help decide what to do next.

One strategy that your child’s pediatrician may recommend is to create a s

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