Parents of struggling teens ask me the same 7 questions in private about exhaustion, isolation, "I'm fine," when to act, and fear of overreacting. These aren't signs of bad parenting. They're signs you're paying attention. If you're noticing changes in your teen and wondering if you should be worried, this is for you. Trust your instincts.

After losing his daughter Maddie to suicide, Chris Coulter learned the hard truth: asking your teen "Are you thinking about hurting yourself?" doesn't plant the idea—it opens the door. This guide helps parents ask the questions they dread (substance use, self-harm, depression, suicidal ideation) without punishing honesty, plus what to do if they say yes. Includes crisis resources and practical scripts for hard conversations.

After my daughter's suicide, hundreds showed up. Then they left. The texts stopped. Check-ins faded. That silence is the loneliest part of grief—and it's the same isolation parents face when their teen is struggling. MentorWell closes that gap before loss, providing community, mentorship, and fast access to care when families need it most.

After my 14-year-old daughter Maddie died by suicide, I created a talk called "Wake Up: You Could Lose Your Teen to Suicide." Four parents signed up. The school cancelled. Most parents believe "that would never happen in our family." But 40% of teens experience significant mental health changes during adolescence—and many won't tell their parents. The warning signs were there. I just didn't know what I was looking at.

Asking someone if they’re thinking of harming themselves won’t make things worse—it could save their life. In this emotional piece for Suicide Prevention Month, the founder of MentorWell shares the story of losing her daughter to suicide and offers guidance on how to ask the hardest question with compassion, courage, and care.

Many kids won’t say they’re struggling—they’ll show it in subtle ways. This article outlines 7 behaviours that could signal emotional distress in teens, even if they say everything is “fine.” Learn how to recognize these red flags early, respond with compassion, and take action that could make all the difference.

When love isn't enough to save a struggling teen, mentorship can be the lifeline. This powerful true story reveals the heartbreaking reality of parenting through mental illness, and the urgent need for support to compliment therapy. Learn why The MentorWell was created to fill the gap and how it can help your teen feel seen, safe, and supported.

I thought giving her space was good parenting. But what looked like independence was actually isolation. My daughter didn’t need me to back off—she needed support before things fell apart. By the time we understood, we were already in crisis. Mentorship could’ve changed everything. Maybe it still can. Here's what I wish I’d known

Talking about suicide doesn’t cause it—staying silent might.
We lost our daughter Maddie at 14. What she needed wasn’t more rules—it was someone unafraid to ask the hard questions.
Silence didn’t save her.
Conversation might have.
We created The Mentor Well to help teens feel seen, heard, and held.
Start the talk. It could save a life.