Brave Listening: The Secret to Safeguarding Your Child’s Mental Health

Our children are suffering. One in five children and teens suffer from a mental health disorder. Nearly 50% have struggled with mental health issues at some point during adolescence and those numbers are on the rise. And yet, there’s no handbook on how to handle kids in crisis. Plus, stigma around mental health issues keeps many kids and families suffering in silence.

Watch this informative and engaging webinar with mental health expert Stacey Freedenthal. In this Q&A session, Freedenthal guides parents through the sensitive and challenging topic of supporting their child's mental health and preventing suicide.

Learn how to:

Spot the signs your child may be struggling
Have open and honest conversations about mental health in your home
Advocate for your child at school and in their community
Create a safe, supportive environment for your child to share their mental health struggles

Emergency resources:

To talk with someone about mental health challenges, whether your own or those of someone you love, please call 988. Chat is available on the website.
You can also use the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or visit their website to chat.

Hotlines for children and adolescents:

Youth Line

Call 877-968-8491 (staffed by teen volunteers 4:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.PST & adults at other times)

Email Teen2Teen@linesforlife.org

Teen Line

Call 800-852-8336 (6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. PST)

Text TEEN to 839863 (6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. PST)

Get help by email at the website

Trevor Project, for LGBT youth.

For information on how to get help by chat, text, or email, go to their website.

Books with guidance on how to listen bravely:

Loving Someone with Suicidal Thoughts: What Family, Friends, and Partners Can Say and Do, by Stacey Freedenthal
How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen so Kids will Talk, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters, by Kate Murphy

Speaker Bio

Stacey Freedenthal, Ph.D., LCSW, is a psychotherapist, educator, writer, consultant and speaker who specializes in suicide prevention. She has authored two books: "Loving Someone with Suicidal Thoughts: What Family, Friends, and Partners Can Say and Do", and "Helping the Suicidal Person: Tips and Techniques for Professionals". Dr. Freedenthal also has authored or co-authored more than 30 peer-reviewed articles for academic journals, and she created and maintains the website Speaking of Suicide.

Dr. Freedenthal is an associate professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, and a psychotherapist and consultant in private practice since 2012. She first became involved in suicide prevention in 1995, when she volunteered at a suicide hotline and first received training in active listening skills. Dr. Freedenthal lives in Denver, CO, with her husband Pete and their collection of cats. You can learn more about her at staceyfreedenthal.com.

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