When Your Teen Is in Crisis: A Parent's Guide to Mental Health Emergencies

Immediate Crisis Signs:

• Expressing clear suicidal thoughts or plans
• Self-harm behaviours that are escalating or severe
• Complete inability to care for basic needs (eating, sleeping, hygiene)
• Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions)
• Extreme agitation or aggression beyond their normal range
• Substance use that puts them in immediate danger

Warning Signs That Crisis May Be Approaching:

• Dramatic mood changes that persist for weeks
• Withdrawing completely from family, friends, and activities
• Giving away possessions or saying goodbye messages
• Increased risk-taking behaviours
• Talking about feeling hopeless or trapped
• Searching online for suicide methods or content

Listen Without Judgment:

• Avoid phrases like "You're being dramatic" or "Things aren't that bad"
• Don't try to problem-solve immediately
• Validate their feelings: "This sounds really overwhelming for you"
• Ask direct questions: "Are you thinking about hurting yourself?"

Ensure Immediate Safety:

• Don't leave them alone if you're concerned about self-harm
• Remove obvious means of harm if possible (medications, sharp objects)
• Stay physically close without being overwhelming
• Call 000 if there's immediate danger

Call 000 If:

• Your teen has seriously injured themselves
• They're threatening immediate suicide with a plan
• They're experiencing psychotic symptoms
• They're extremely agitated and potentially dangerous
• You genuinely fear for their life

Go to Emergency Department If:

• Your teen has made a suicide attempt (even if seemingly minor)
• They're expressing persistent suicidal thoughts
• You can't ensure their safety at home
• Their behaviour is completely outside their normal range

Contact Your GP or Mental Health Service If:

• Your teen is struggling but not in immediate danger
• You need guidance on next steps
• You want to arrange urgent assessment
• You need support navigating services

Initial Assessment:

• Medical clearance to rule out physical causes
• Mental health assessment by trained clinicians
• Risk assessment and safety planning
• Decision about whether admission is necessary

What to Expect:

• Long waits (mental health isn't always prioritised in emergency departments)
• Multiple questions about the crisis and your teen's history
• Possible involvement of police or security (this is routine, not punitive)
• Assessment in a private room away from general emergency areas

Your Role as Parent:

• Provide accurate information about what led to the crisis
• Advocate for your teen's needs (comfort items, medication, communication preferences)
• Ask questions about the process and timeline
• Support your teen while also looking after your own needs

When It Applies:

• Your teen appears to have a mental illness
• They need immediate treatment or assessment
• They refuse voluntary treatment
• Their safety or others' safety is at risk

Your Rights as Parent:

• You can request mental health assessment for your under-18 teen
• You have the right to be involved in treatment decisions
• You can access independent advocacy if needed
• You can appeal decisions you disagree with

Warning Signs They Can Recognise:

• Internal feelings (thoughts, emotions, physical sensations)
• External triggers (situations, people, events)
• Behavioural changes others might notice

Coping Strategies That Work:

• Things they can do alone (music, exercise, breathing techniques)
• People they can reach out to (friends, family, counsellors)
• Professional supports available 24/7

Making Environment Safer:

• Identifying and removing/securing potential means of harm
• Creating calming spaces in the home
• Establishing communication agreements with family

Professional Support:

• Crisis intervention and safety planning
• Family therapy to improve communication and support
• Individual therapy using approaches that work for your teen
• Connection with peer support and group programs
• Liaison with schools and other services

Family Strategies:

• Regular check-ins without being overwhelming
• Learning about your teen's specific mental health condition
• Building family resilience and coping strategies
• Connecting with other families who understand the journey
• Taking care of your own mental health as a parent

For Siblings:

• Age-appropriate explanations about what's happening
• Individual attention and support
• Clear boundaries about their role (not responsible for "fixing" their sibling)
• Professional support if they're struggling too

For Your Relationship:

• Crisis can actually strengthen family bonds when handled well
• Open communication about everyone's needs
• Family therapy to process the experience
• Celebration of small improvements and successes

Even during treatment:

• Increasing talk about suicide or death
• New self-harm behaviours or escalation
• Complete withdrawal from all support
• Substance use as coping mechanism
• Expressing complete hopelessness about the future

• Engaging in small activities they previously enjoyed
• Communicating needs and feelings more clearly
• Showing concern for others again
• Making future plans (even small ones)
• Accepting help and support

Crisis Services:

• Safe Haven Café Geelong (mental health respite)
• Barwon Health Emergency Department
• Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare
• Headspace Geelong for 12-25 year olds

Ongoing Support:

• Shake Counselling (specialised youth mental health)
• Your local GP for mental health care plans
• School counsellors and wellbeing coordinators
• Private psychologists and psychiatrists

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) family support groups
• Online communities for parents of teens with mental health challenges
• Local community groups through councils and community centres
• Faith-based support if relevant to your family

Remember:

• Crisis doesn't mean failure (yours or your teen's)
• Recovery is possible, even from severe mental health challenges
• Professional help can make an enormous difference
• You don't have to navigate this alone
• Your love and support matter more than you know

The best crisis intervention is prevention. If you're concerned about your teen's mental health but they're not yet in crisis:

• Trust your instincts - you know your child best
• Start conversations early and often
• Connect with professional support proactively
• Learn the warning signs specific to your teen
• Build support networks before you need them