Things a Parent Needs to Know

If your child is under the influence, never leave them alone

85% of all young people who attempt suicide do so while under the influence
Stay with a child who is under the influence until they sober up; even if this means sitting by their bed all night. Talk to them about what is going on after they are sober.

The top two ways that young people commit suicide are:

Using a gun
- Restricting access to guns is one of the single greatest suicide prevention steps that parents can take.
Strangulation
- Unfortunately, this is much harder to prevent as the means for strangulation can always be found.

The term 5150 refers to the section number in the Welfare and Institutions Code of the State Law.
An individual is determined to be a 5150 candidate if they are, due to a mental illness, an immediate threat to harm themselves or others.
Only a police officer is qualified to determine a 5150.
When an individual is 5150’d, the state can hold them in a psychiatric ward for up to 72 hours. During that time, they are in protective custody, they receive counseling and therapy, and they are evaluated by a doctor.
An individual who is 5150’d is taken to the hospital in an ambulance, not a police car.
5150 is a short–term solution for a suicidal individual. It is a great way to keep them alive and kick–start the process of getting treated for their depression. It must be followed up, however, with a long–term plan for continued treatment.