Self-harm
pls respond
Risk flagA desperate plea for attention or validation, often appearing in mental-health crisis posts or suicidal disclosures.
How kids use it
May appear in comments on mental-health TikToks or in Discord channels where someone is expressing suicidal thoughts; a sign they're seeking connection during crisis.
Is “pls respond” something to worry about?
Treat "pls respond" as real until you know otherwise. Kids often talk about distress in coded or joking language first — the cost of taking it seriously and being wrong is a slightly awkward conversation; the cost of dismissing it and being wrong is much higher.
- Ask directly and calmly. Naming it doesn’t plant the idea — that’s a myth.
- If there’s any indication of intent: the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) is free and 24/7.
- Loosen the late-night phone window — distress content hits hardest alone at 2am.