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.

Many parents sense something is off with their teen long before anything looks “wrong.” This post explores five quiet lessons about how teens communicate through behaviour, silence, and tone and why presence matters more than perfect words. A compassionate reminder that early listening builds trust before crisis hits.