- Healthy eating: Staying active. Exercise reduces depression and improves mood. Fun, rewarding, and connecting activities are best.
- Good night’s sleep: Contact your child’s therapist often for support tips. Make sure your youngster takes their medicine. Be alert of side effects and indicators that your kid needs immediate attention.
RELATED: How Allowing Our Kids to Express Themselves Can Improve Their Mental Wellness as Adults
What To Do If Your Child Talks About Suicide
Take your kid to the emergency room if they’re suicidal or self-harming.
Many kids from all backgrounds commit suicide. Suicide is the second highest cause of mortality for 10- to 24-year-olds (after accidents) and the sixth for five to 14-year-olds. Suicidal kids and teens frequently have serious mental illnesses, mainly depression.
Teens who attempt suicide face stress, self-doubt, despair, and loss, whereas younger children, who act impulsively, face grief, bewilderment, and fury.
Suicide risks:
- Family trauma, such as abuse and violence, suicide of a family member, separation from loved ones, and loss of stable housing
- Previous suicide attempts. Self-harm (such as cutting) also increases the risk of suicide.
- Hostility and rejection related to sexual orientation or gender identity
- Racism
- Depression and other mental health conditions, such as eating disorders and mood disorders
- Substance abuse
- Behavior issues, such as extreme anger, aggression, or impulsivity, especially when socially isolated
- Knowing about the suicide of someone the child knows, especially if it’s a family member, friend, or peer
- Easy gun access. Guns are the main cause of suicide for teens.
- Bullying. According to a study of more than 96,000 children and adolescents, those bullied online were about 12 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than those who weren’t. The risk for self-harming and suicide attempts is also significantly higher for cyberbullied children.
In addition to the steps you can take to help your child with depression (above) if your child talks about suicide, the following can help:
Don’t believe they’re “just being theatrical” or overreacting when they remark, “Nothing matters” or “I want to die.” A youngster needs treatment if they say these things.
- Communicate. If you think your kid is sad, ask them. Say you care about how they’re feeling and want to discuss. If your youngster says, “There’s nothing to live for,” demonstrate you understand and sympathize. Instead of “I can’t believe you think that,” say, “It seems like you’re genuinely suffering if you’re thinking of ending your life.” They need to know they can speak to you about suicide, so don’t hesitate to inquire.
- Positively accept assistance. Your youngster can get therapy for depression. Explain that taking care of their mental health shows maturity and self-respect to alleviate shame or embarrassment. Explain that many individuals deal with mental health issues. Be patient with them. They may feel better with patience and the correct therapy.
- Hire a pro. Ask a mental health expert or your child’s doctor for assistance. A mental health specialist may treat your kid with counseling and medication and help you both build a plan to deal with suicidal thoughts, including coping techniques, sources of support, measures to do if the situation worsens, and emergency contacts. Put the suicide hotline number on your child’s phone.
- Protect your youngster. Ensure your kid cannot access harmful prescriptions, alcohol, tools, knives, firearms, other weapons, illegal substances, potentially toxic goods (such as home cleansers and antifreeze), ropes, belts, or plastic bags.
Where Can I Learn More About Childhood Depression?
For more information about depression, treatment, and support services, visit the websites of these organizations:
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
American Psychiatric Association