What should I be watching for?
Parents are in the unique position to observe teens individually or in groups, to sense the emotions seething under the surface, and to monitor subtle changes in behaviour, and to realise that the teen in reality might be a hurting human being.
It is possible for parents, through no fault of their own, to misinterpret a warning sign of suicide or to not even be aware of it. This can be said of the most caring of persons. We were not born with intuitive knowledge. Along with everyone else, we must be trained to discern the messages and signals that our teens are sending out.
Someone might ask, "Won't I appear foolish if I misread the signal and get involved in a non-suicidal situation?" That is possible; but if we need to appear foolish to possibly save a life, then it is better than to suffer self-recrimination for doing nothing. The risk of a teen dying is more serious than the possible risk of being embarrassed for asking the "wrong" question. If a parent does raise the question of suicide needlessly, the only reaction possible is a positive one - "This parent cares."