Teens in Crisis

Teens may hide distress, minimise struggles, or fear getting in trouble. Always treat concerns seriously.

What Crisis looks like in Teens

Emotional / Mental Health

• Talking about wanting to die or disappear

• Self-harm marks or admission

• Panic attack / hyperventilating

• Dissociation / “not present”

• Extreme hopelessness or numbness
  
  

Behavioural

• Aggression or sudden shutdown

• Leaving the area or attempting to run

• Risk-taking behaviour

• Substance use
  
  

Situational

• Abuse disclosure

• Social media threats

• Relationship breakdown

• Family violence or being kicked out of home

• Saying they have nowhere safe to stay

Golden Principles for Teens

Teens need respect, autonomy, and safety.

DO

• Speak calmly and privately (but visible)

• Ask directly about self-harm/suicide

• Validate feelings

• Listen more than talk
  
  

DON’T

• Minimise feelings

• Try to “fix”

• Promise secrecy

• Shame behaviour
  
  

Teen Crisis Response Steps

STEP 1 — Assess Immediate Safety

Ask directly:

“Are you thinking about hurting yourself right now?”

If YES or unsure → HIGH RISK

If they say they are unsafe at home or homeless → treat as SAFETY RISK

STEP 2 — Stay With Them

Never leave the teen alone.

One leader stays. One contacts Transit or Youth Director

STEP 3 — Stabilise (Not Fix)

• Slow breathing

• Offer water

• Grounding (“Name 5 things you see”)

• Calm reassurance:

  • “I’m really glad you told me.”

  • “You’re not in trouble.”
    
    

STEP 4 — Contact your direct leader immediately.

STEP 5 — ESCALATION & EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Please ensure you follow The Rocks Safe Child Policybefore contacting any of these services below (unless there is IMMEDIATE DANGER to the teen)

IMMEDIATE DANGER (Call FIRST)

If suicidal intent, self-harm, medical risk, violence, or teen is unsafe:

📞 000 — Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance)

Mental Health Crisis (Urgent but not life-threatening)

Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) – 24/7 clinicians

📞 1300 555 788 (Perth Metro)

📞 1800 676 822 (Peel)

24/7 Emotional Crisis Support

• Lifeline — 13 11 14 (suicide crisis support)

• Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467

• Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636
  
  

Teen-Specific Support

• Kids Helpline (ages 5–25) — 1800 55 1800

• headspace— 1800 650 890
  
  

If Teen Is Homeless / Unsafe at Home

• Entrypoint Perth – homelessness referral & assessment: 1800 124 684 

• Crisis Care – 24/7 crisis and wellbeing support: 1800 199 008 

• Mission Australia Youth Accommodation Support Service (YASS) – crisis & transitional for 15-25 yrs - 9329 4480 

• Passages Youth Engagement Hub – offers a drop-in service for young people aged 12-25 years to access food, showers, clothing, computers, and other basic needs, in a safe, supported space staffed by trained youth workers. Passages can also assist with referrals to other specialised agencies – 9228 1478 

• Victoria Park Youth Accommodation – supported housing for 15-25 yrs - 9361 4118

• Fusion Student Household Service – safe housing + support for 15-24 yrs - 9355 1159  

Legal Support

• Sussex Street Community Law Services provides financial counselling, assistance with public or private tenancy concerns and legal services – 6253 9500 

• Youth Legal Service legal services and Children’s Court representation – 9202 1688

Alcohol and Drugs Helpline

• Drug and Alcohol Youth Service information and treatment services – 9222 6373 

• Holyoake for young people directly or indirectly affected by drug and alcohol use – 9416 4444
  
  

Parents/Guardians

Contact parents unless doing so places the teen at further risk (follow The Rocks Safe Child Policy)

Risk Level

How to Talk to Teens

Say

• “Thank you for telling me.”

• “That sounds really heavy.”

• “You don’t have to handle this alone.”
  
  

Avoid

• “Others have it worse.”

• “Just pray about it.”

• “You’re overreacting.”
  
  

Step 6: Documentation & Reporting

Record:

• What was observed

• What child said

• Actions taken

• Who was notified (parents, child protection, services.

Reporting:

After the child/teen is safe and immediate actions have been taken, reporting must happen. This protects the young person, the leader, and the organisation. Below are forms to submit your report.

Incident/Injury reporting

Mandatory Reporting

When in doubt, ASK your leader!