Helping or Hurting? A Qualitative Exploration of Adolescents’ Perceptions of Responses to Their Suicide-Related Disclosure

Supportive responses fostered safety and willingness to seek help, while unsupportive responses contributed to emotional distress and the desire to conceal in the future. Findings highlight the importance of caregiver and peer responses following suicide-related disclosure and suggest opportunities for interventions in crisis settings to enhance the disclosure experience.