Trusted, Accredited Teen Treatment
Suicidal Ideation Treatment For Adolescents
If your teen is experiencing suicidal thoughts, Beachside Teen is here with compassionate, expert care to help them find safety and hope.
Suicidal thoughts in teens are more than a cry for help—they’re a signal that something deep, painful, and unresolved is happening beneath the surface. Whether your teen has voiced thoughts of not wanting to live, withdrawn from loved ones, or shown changes in behavior that concern you, it’s crucial not to ignore the warning signs. At Beachside Teen Treatment Center, we specialize in treatment for teen suicidal ideation, offering immediate support and long-term healing in a compassionate, clinically advanced environment.
Adolescence is a vulnerable time. The teenage brain is still developing, emotions are heightened, and the pressures of school, identity, relationships, and trauma can feel overwhelming. Our Malibu-based program is built to help teens who are struggling with suicidal thoughts reconnect with life and to help families rebuild hope. For more information, contact us today—our compassionate treatment advisors are standing by to answer any additional questions.
Learn more about our teen treatment programs or call us now at 888-254-0916.
Teen Suicidal Ideation Statistics
The prevalence of suicidal ideation among adolescents is deeply concerning and growing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), nearly 1 in 5 high school students seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. Rates are even higher among female students, LGBTQ+ youth, and those facing bullying, trauma, or mental health challenges.
Below are additional statistics collected and presented by the Jason Foundation:
- Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for middle and high school students (ages 12-18).
- Suicide is also the 3rd leading cause of death for college students (ages 18-22).
- Overall, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth aged 10-24. (Source: 2023 CDC WISQARS)
- In the age group of 10-14, suicides have more than doubled in the past decade, making it the 2nd leading cause of death for this age group.
- More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease combined.
- Each day, over 3,703 young people in grades 9-12 attempt suicide. If this rate were applied to grades 7-8, the number would be even higher.
- 4 out of 5 individuals considering suicide show some sign of their intentions, either through words or actions.
Understanding Suicidal Ideation in Teens
Suicidal ideation refers to thoughts about ending one’s life. These thoughts can range from fleeting wishes to escape pain to detailed planning of a suicide attempt. In teens, suicidal ideation often stems from an overwhelming emotional burden combined with a lack of perceived coping resources. The brain’s still-developing capacity for emotional regulation and impulse control makes teens especially susceptible to acting on these thoughts in moments of crisis.
It’s important to note that not all teens who think about suicide will attempt it, but all suicidal ideation should be taken seriously. At Beachside, we treat the underlying issues fueling these thoughts while providing teens with healthier, life-affirming coping strategies.
Tour our Teen Suicide Ideation Program near Los Angeles.
How Do I Know My Teen Needs Treatment for Suicidal Ideation?
As a parent, it can be terrifying to wonder if your child is thinking about ending their life, and even harder to know when it’s time to seek professional help. Some teens openly express suicidal thoughts, while others hide their pain behind withdrawal, irritability, or reckless behavior.
Warning signs your teen may need treatment for suicidal ideation include:
- Talking or joking about suicide or death
- Withdrawing from friends, school, or activities they once enjoyed
- Giving away possessions or writing goodbye letters
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or being a burden
- Changes in sleep, eating, or mood
- Sudden calm after a period of intense distress (which can indicate they’ve made a decision)
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, don’t wait. Suicidal ideation can escalate quickly, and early intervention is key.
Causes of Teen Suicide
There is no single cause of suicidal ideation or suicide in teens. Instead, it’s often the result of a combination of factors. Our job at Beachside is not just to identify these root causes, but to help your teen process and overcome them with the right tools and support.
- Mental Health Disorders: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder can all increase risk.
- Trauma: Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect, and significant loss can leave teens feeling helpless or unsafe.
- Bullying and Social Isolation: Cyberbullying, peer rejection, or not fitting in can fuel feelings of despair and self-loathing.
- Substance Use: Drugs and alcohol can intensify depression, lower inhibitions, and impair judgment.
- Academic and Social Pressure: Expectations to perform, achieve, or “fit in” can feel overwhelming.
- Family Conflict or Lack of Support: When teens don’t feel safe or understood at home, their risk increases.
How To Help A Teen With Suicidal Thoughts
If your teen has shared suicidal thoughts—or you suspect they may be struggling—your response matters. Stay calm, listen without judgment, and take their words seriously. Let them know you’re here, they’re not alone, and help is available.
Here are immediate steps you can take:
- Create safety: Remove access to dangerous items like medications, weapons, or sharp objects.
- Open up communication: Say things like “I’m here for you” or “You can talk to me about anything.”
- Don’t minimize: Avoid saying things like “You’re just being dramatic” or “It’s not that bad.”
- Seek professional help: Call a doctor, therapist, or take them to the ER if they are in immediate danger.
- Follow up and stay engaged: Continue checking in and be consistent in offering support.
Our Suicidal Ideation Treatment Programs in Los Angeles
At Beachside Teen Treatment Center, we offer tiered levels of care for teens experiencing suicidal ideation, tailored to their current level of risk and mental health needs. Our program is specifically designed for adolescents and combines safety, structure, and support in a serene setting. All levels of care include individual therapy, family therapy, psychiatry, group work, experiential therapy, and academic support.
- Residential Treatment: 24/7 monitoring in a home-like environment where teens receive intensive therapy, crisis stabilization, and psychiatric support. Ideal for teens at high risk or who need constant supervision.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Teens attend full-day treatment at our facility but return home or to transitional housing in the evenings. PHP is a step-down from residential care and offers continued therapeutic support as teens begin to stabilize.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): A flexible program that allows teens to receive treatment multiple days per week while integrating back into school or home life. IOP is ideal for those who are making progress but still need structured support and therapeutic engagement.
Tja-Zsa Hower, LCSW
Primary Therapist
Last Updated on May 19, 2025
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At Beachside, our programming meets the highest standards for quality adolescent healthcare.
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Information For Parents About Suicidal Ideation
If your teen expresses suicidal thoughts—or if you’re concerned they may be in immediate danger—take them to the emergency room or call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Suicidal ideation is not something teens “grow out of” or “snap out of.” It’s a medical and psychological crisis that requires expert attention. Even if your child says they were “just venting” or “didn’t mean it,” it’s better to overreact than underreact. Your response could save their life.
At Beachside, we take suicidal ideation seriously. We provide a safe, structured space for teens to heal from their pain while giving families the tools they need to offer ongoing support at home.
Why Beachside Teen?
Beachside Teen Treatment Center isn’t a cold, clinical hospital—it’s a warm, welcoming sanctuary for teens who need to reset, recover, and rediscover themselves. We believe in treating the whole person and the entire family system. From the moment your teen enters our care, we’re building a circle of safety and support that surrounds your entire family.
What sets us apart is our focus on emotional connection, clinical excellence, and developmentally appropriate care. Our Malibu setting offers teens a peaceful, healing space away from daily triggers and pressures, while our programming ensures they are actively working toward recovery every single day.
Our Team
Our team of psychiatrists, licensed therapists, registered nurses, case managers, teachers, and experiential therapists brings extensive expertise in adolescent mental health and crisis care. Many of our clinicians are trained specifically in suicide prevention, trauma therapy, and adolescent development.
Just as importantly, they know how to connect with teens, not just treat them. We pride ourselves on creating therapeutic relationships built on trust, honesty, and genuine care.
You Are Not Alone—And Neither Is Your Teen
If your teen is experiencing suicidal thoughts, the most important thing you can do is take action. Early, compassionate, and evidence-based care can make all the difference. At Beachside Teen Treatment Center, we specialize in treatment for teen suicidal ideation and are here to help your family find hope, healing, and connection again.
Call us today to learn more about our programs or to speak with a compassionate admissions specialist.
Meet Our Trusted, Compassionate Care Team
When left untreated, adolescent behavioral health issues can lead to lifelong struggles with mental health and addiction. We’re here to help your child discover healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress and mental health symptoms. Our team is a diverse group of professionals who are here to provide for your child’s needs throughout their treatment program.
Eli Wayne
Dr. Michael Louie
Dr. Shilpa Jindani
Physician
Mark Paladini
Eli Wayne
Dr. Michael Louie
Psychiatrist
Dr. Shilpa Jindani
Physician
Mark Paladini
Begin Adolescent Inpatient Treatment in Los Angeles Today
At Beachside Teen Treatment Center, we understand how challenging it can be to see your teen struggling with mental or behavioral health issues. Our inpatient treatment program offers a serene, supportive environment where your teenager can begin their journey to healing and recovery.
Call us now at 888-254-0916 or verify your insurance.
Together, we can help your teen build a brighter future..