Crisis Services - Children & Adolescents: Children's Threats

Children’s Threats: When Are They Serious?

What threats should be taken seriously?
Examples of potentially dangerous or emergency situations with a child or adolescent include:

threats or warnings about hurting or killing someone
threats or warnings about hurting or killing oneself
threats to run away from home
threats to damage or destroy property

When is there more risk associated with threats from children and adolescents?
The presence of one or more of the following increases the risk of violent or dangerous behavior:

past violent or aggressive behavior (including uncontrollable angry outbursts)
access to guns or other weapons
bringing a weapon to school
past suicide attempts or threats
family history of violent behavior or suicide attempts
blaming others and/or unwilling to accept responsibility for one's own actions
recent experience of humiliation, shame, loss, or rejection
bullying or intimidating peers or younger children
a pattern of threats
being a victim of abuse or neglect (physical, sexual, or emotional)
witnessing abuse or violence in the home
themes of death or depression repeatedly evident in conversation, written expressions, reading selections, or artwork
preoccupation with themes and acts of violence in TV shows, movies, music, magazines, comics, books, video games, and Internet sites
mental illness, such as depression, mania, psychosis, or bipolar disorder
use of alcohol or illicit drugs
disciplinary problems at school or in the community (delinquent behavior)
past destruction of property or vandalism
cruelty to animals
fire setting behavior
poor peer relationships and/or social isolation
involvement with cults or gangs
little or no supervision or support from parents or other caring adult