It gets more difficult for parents to know what their children are thinking and feeling as they develop into pre-teens and teenagers. When do the usual ups and downs of adolescence become cause for concern?
Once life becomes too difficult to bear for pre-teens and teens, parents and family members can assist them. Learn about the variables that can raise your child's risk of suicide and look into the 12 options below. These steps will help you feel more prepared to provide your child with the compassionate, nonjudgmental assistance he or she requires.
1. Pay attention if you notice symptoms that your child's mental health is in jeopardy.
Perhaps your child is just having a bad day, but if indicators of mental health problems persist for weeks, don't dismiss it as a passing mood. According to studies, 9 out of 10 teen suicides were suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety. However, take in mind:
Teens who have not been diagnosed with a mental health disorder may be at danger. This is due, in part, to the difficulty of identifying mental health concerns at a young age.
Many kids who try suicide do not have underlying mental health disorders, but they will usually show indicators that they are contemplating suicide.Your goal should be to stay cool, alert, and prepared to talk to your kid. Don't sit around waiting for them to come to you. You could begin by saying, "You appear unhappy. I'm willing to talk about it because I care about what happens to you."
2. Pay attention—even if your youngster is not speaking.
Don't be surprised if your teen looks away when you bring up mental health or suicide. Keep in mind that, even if your child is initially mute, actions might speak louder than words.
Keep an eye out for significant changes in your child's sleep patterns, eating, and social activities. Self-isolation, especially in children who generally love hanging out with friends or participating in sports, can indicate major problems. If your child is suffering more than usual with schooling, chores, or other duties, there are extra warning flags.
3. Recognize that your child may be at risk of suicide in ways you haven't considered.
Many parents question if this might truly happen to their child. Regrettably, the answer is yes. Every year, young individuals of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic origins, and community backgrounds commit suicide. Suicide is the second highest cause of death among young people aged 10 to 24.
Here are some of the factors that can lead to young people contemplating suicide:
- Death, divorce, deployment, deportation, or jail of a loved one
- Bullying (both in person and online)
- Discrimination, rejection, or antagonism based on sexual orientation or gender identity
- Racism, discrimination, and the injustices and pressures that accompany them
- Suicide or mental health problems in the family
- Stigma (the assumption that discussing mental health or suicide is immoral or shameful)
- Simple access to firearms or other potentially lethal tools and substances
- Witnessing or being a victim of violence or domestic abuse
- Financial uncertainty produces worry and insecurity.
- Suicide in their school or among their friends
4. Don't disregard what you're witnessing as "teenage drama."
If your child says or writes the following, never believe they are exaggerating or playing a game.
"I just want to die."
"I don't care anymore."
"Nothing matters."
"I wonder how many people would come to my funeral?"
"Sometimes I wish I could just go to sleep and never wake up."
"Everyone would be better off without me."
"You won't have to worry about me for much longer."
Many children who attempt suicide will notify their parents in advance (but some may not). These words suggest an immediate need for assistance.
Don't take the chance of being mistaken about this. Take every suicide statement seriously.
5. Show empathy and understanding.
You may be astonished, hurt, or outraged when your child discusses or writes about suicide. You might even want to dispute with your youngster or deny what you're witnessing. These are natural and valid emotions, but it is critical to prioritize your child's needs. Your goal is to create a safe environment in which your kid can trust you to listen and express worry without passing judgment or assigning blame.
Instead of replying in this manner:
"That's a ridiculous thing to say."
"You have a wonderful life; why would you want to end it?"
"You don't really mean that."
"I can't believe what I'm hearing!" says the listener.
Manage your emotions so that you can respond with empathy:
"You sound like you're in a lot of pain and can't see a way out."
"Perhaps you're wondering how life became so complicated and difficult."
"Right now, you don't know how to solve the problems you're facing."
"You must be in a lot of pain inside to think about ending your life."
"You sound like you're in a lot of pain and can't see a way out."
"Perhaps you're wondering how life became so complicated and difficult."
"Right now, you don't know how to solve the problems you're facing."
"You must be in a lot of pain inside to think about ending your life."
6. Seek expert assistance straight soon.
If your adolescent is self-harming or you suspect they may try suicide, take them to the emergency room of your local hospital. When things have reached a crisis point, quick action is critical.
If you notice suicide thoughts but do not believe there is an urgent crisis, you should still take action. Contact your pediatrician or a local mental health specialist who treats children and adolescents. Explain what you're seeing and hearing, and make an appointment for a mental health evaluation.
Health care experts can assist you and your teen in developing a safety plan that includes:
Suicidal thoughts are triggered by warning indicators or triggers that your teen experiences.
Steps they could take to assist them manage when they are triggered
Sources of assistance include family, friends, instructors, mentors, and others.
Contact information for emergency services and what to do if things worsen
7. Remove or secure any firearms you have at home. Do the same with any other potentially dangerous instruments or chemicals.
Half of all child suicides include firearms, and firearm suicide attempts are virtually invariably lethal. The safest solution is to remove guns and ammo from your home while your teen is contemplating suicide. Many families hand over guns to relatives or other trusted individuals to assist protect their teen during a vulnerable period.
The second-best option is safe home storage. Locking and unloading all guns, as well as storing and locking ammo in a separate location, does lessen the danger of disaster - but only provided your teen does not know the combination to the lock or where the key is hidden.
Another approach is to disassemble firearms and store the components separately and securely.
Of course, weapons aren't the only way for your child to commit suicide. During a suicide crisis, prescription and over-the-counter medications can be dangerous. Families should store medications safely and, whenever feasible, decrease the number of prescriptions on hand. Consider purchasing over-the-counter drugs in blister packs rather than bottles to slow pill access.
Other potentially dangerous equipment and chemicals to consider storing include:
Alcohol
Illegal drugs
Household cleansers and other noxious substances
Dusting products in cans
Inhalants
Antifreeze
Knives, razors, or other types of weaponry
Plastic bags, ropes, or belts
Although the task of removing or locking away these objects and chemicals may appear intimidating, your child's safety is at stake. Suicide attempts are frequently impulsive, and a situation can quickly escalate. It is vital that your kid does not have access to fatal weapons at the wrong time.
8. As your child begins treatment, focus on instilling hope in him or her.
Your child's care team will most likely prescribe a combination of measures to lessen mental health symptoms and suicidal thoughts. Medications, talk therapy, and stress-reduction practices like yoga, meditation, or journaling may be included in the treatment plan.
Along the way, give your youngster realistic reassurance. Remind them (and yourself) that terrible times will pass. When people receive effective treatment and support, they feel better.
If your child shows emotions of stigma or shame, remind them that one in every five individuals will have mental health symptoms at some point in their lives. Mental health is a component of overall health, and getting help demonstrates self-respect and maturity.
9. Encourage them to spend time with family and friends.
Your youngster may be hesitant to interact with others, but you can explain that social support will make them feel better. Though more alone time may be required at initially, gentle encouragement to spend time with family, friends, and neighbors will be beneficial. Avoid power battles when it comes to specific activities or invites, as your goal is to respect your child's demands while minimizing stress.
10. Suggest some physical activity.
Physical activity alleviates mental health symptoms and contributes to your child's overall wellness plan. Exercise, whether it's a regular walk outside, a gym session, an online exercise class, or something else, will:
Enhance your teen's mood by increasing the production of endorphins (natural compounds found in the brain and body that assist to balance stress and handle pain).
Increase serotonin levels, another brain-body chemical that promotes happy moods and peaceful sleep.
Experts advocate working out for 30 to 40 minutes two to five times per week. Any type of exercise is acceptable. What matters most is that your teen appreciates this activity and is driven to participate on a regular basis.
11. Promote moderation and balance.
Teens in distress must be gentle with themselves. This entails moving at a reasonable speed and avoiding events that could be overwhelming.
Assure your adolescent that self-care is not a sign of weakness.Our health affects everything we do in life, so allowing ourselves time to heal is critical. Big jobs may be broken down into smaller, more manageable ones, and your child will eventually feel ready to take on more as their confidence and strength increase.
12. Keep in mind that this will take time.
You and your child will benefit from understanding that progress will take its own time. Setbacks are inevitable; they are also a part of the healing process. Encourage your youngster to be patient and forgiving of himself. They've gone through a lot, but with the correct care and support, you'll both feel better.
10 Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Suicide. (2019). HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Ten-Things-Parents-Can-Do-to-Prevent-Suicide.aspx
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