If someone is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. In the US, call or text 988. Outside the US, Find a Helpline lists crisis lines by country.
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are common in people with eating disorders. Many of the deaths from certain eating disorders are from suicide. 25% of those with eating disorders attempt suicide. Parents need to be alert to signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviors and know how to deal with suicidality in general.
Unfortunately, eating disorder clinicians may be untrained in the area of assessing and treating suicidality in their patients, and parents of individuals with eating disorders are often not given information, skills, or strategies on how to identify and address suicidality.
These statistics on suicide are not meant to frighten families: the goal is to equip and empower you.
F.E.A.S.T.’s webinar, Suicidality and Self Harm in Eating Disorders, gives caregivers practical skills for supporting a loved one at risk, and a plan for how to respond both before and during a crisis.
Fear of outcomes like suicide can paralyze parents or lead to avoidance or bargaining. Parents may avoid upsetting their person for fear of them harming themselves. It is important for parents to know that those with eating disorders can suffer from suicidality when in good treatment and without treatment. Suicidality is not caused by or directly related to treatment. Families do not drive people to suicide by setting boundaries or insisting on seeking treatment.
Eating disorders are frightening and exhausting conditions even with the best of care. We cannot underestimate the challenge of decision-making and complying with treatment. Our family members with eating disorders need us and their treatment providers to do all we can to provide the safety and support they need.
There are techniques and skills for parents to learn, and for our communities to support. DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) is one important set of tools and skills. F.E.A.S.T.’s webinars on DBT skills to enhance family communication and adding DBT into treatment are a good place to start.
Treatment and caregiver planning for the possibility of suicidal thoughts or actions does not increase the risk. Understanding and having a plan for these symptoms helps parents provide safer environments for recovery. Facing our fears as caregivers can improve our ability to protect and support our loved ones. Facing this risk can improve quality of life for all family members, including parents and siblings.
This research relates to suicidality in adults with eating disorders. The Linehan Risk Assessment and Management Protocol is used by clinicians to assess suicide risk and can give parents insight into both assessment and protective factors. It can also be shared with treatment providers who are unfamiliar with assessing and treating suicidality.
Non-suicidal self-injury (hurting oneself without intent to die) is also a concern. It usually serves a different purpose than a suicide attempt, often as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions, and calls for a different response. It still deserves to be taken seriously, because over time self-injury can raise the risk of later suicidal behavior. The Suicidality and Self Harm in Eating Disorders webinar explains the difference and how to include self-injury in a family safety plan.
Useful links:
From F.E.A.S.T.
Suicidality and Self Harm in Eating Disorders (webinar)
This is hard AND skills can help: DBT skills to enhance family communication (webinar, 2022)
When FBT Alone May Not Be Enough: Adding DBT into Treatment (webinar, 2025)
Other resources
Holding On To Life Toolkit: a general guide for families of a young person in crisis, with what to say and a safety plan worksheet. Its phone numbers are for Michigan; the US crisis line is now 988. (PDF)
Linehan Risk Assessment and Management Protocol (University of Washington, PDF)
Suicide attempts in US adults with lifetime DSM-5 eating disorders (BMC Medicine 2019)
Eating Disorders & Suicide (VeryWellMind)
Suicide Warnings and Risk Factors (VeryWellMind)
Self-Injury and Cutting (VeryWellMind)