If you are looking for how to deal with suicidal thoughts, then this article is for you.
Suicide is a tragic and largely preventable public health issue. Suicide rates are on the rise globally, with one person committing suicide every 40 seconds. Suicide has become the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally and the third leading cause of death among those aged 10-14 years.
Therefore as a parent, it’s important to pay attention to your children and watch out for early signs of suicide or suicidal thoughts. In this article, I mentioned the causes of suicidal thoughts in children, signs to look out for, how to deal with suicidal thoughts and what to do when your child says they have suicidal thoughts. Without further ado, let’s get right into it.
What Are The Causes Of Suicidal Thoughts In Children
The causes of suicidal thoughts in children vary. The most common causes are mental illness, family problems, and bullying. However, there may be other reasons for suicidal thoughts in children. Some of them include:
1. Loneliness – Children often feel lonely when they are not able to make friends. They may feel that they do not belong and that nobody cares about them.
2. Bullying – Bullying is a major cause of suicidal thoughts in children. They may be bullied at school, at home, or anywhere. Read more about Bullying in Children here.
3. Depression – Depression is a mental illness that can lead to suicidal thoughts in children. A child may have depression if they have low self-esteem, don’t get enough sleep, or if they suffer from anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
4. Negative life events – Negative life events can lead to suicidal thoughts in children as well, such as the death of a loved one or the loss of their home due to natural disasters such as flooding, etc
5. Parental abuse or neglect – Abuse or neglect from a parent can lead to suicidal thoughts in children. A parent may be abusive if they do not care about their child and/or do not provide for them properly.
6. Medical problems – Children who are ill might feel like life is not worth living because of the pain that they are experiencing.
7. Abandonment – Abandonment is caused when a child’s parents leave them with relatives and/or friends to live with.
Why It Is Important To Discuss Suicidal Thoughts With Your Children
It is important to discuss suicidal thoughts with your children because it can help them to get professional help. Suicidal thoughts are common among teenagers, and it is important to know the warning signs of someone who might be thinking about suicide.
If you see that your child has some of these signs, then you should talk about it with them and find a way for them to get professional help on how to deal with suicidal thoughts. It’s also important to tell someone who can provide support for them, such as a school counselor or family member.
What Parents Should Know About Suicide & The Warning Signs To Look Out For
Parents should be aware of the warning signs that their children are exhibiting so that they can take the appropriate steps to help them.
The following are some warning signs to look out for:
– Changes in behavior and personality, such as being sad or withdrawn, or acting reckless
– Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves.
– Looking for ways to kill themselves, such as searching online, buying a gun, hoarding medicine, or trying to get access to other means such as poisons or sharp objects.
– Taking an overdose of medications.
– Attempting to harm themselves or others.
– Speaking or writing about one’s death, such as by saying things like “I’m going to kill myself” or “I won’t be an issue for you much longer”.
– Avoiding social interaction.
– Having mood swings.
– Increasing alcohol and drug use.
– Being in a scenario where they feel imprisoned, helpless, or hopeless.
– Changing regular routines, such as ones related to eating or sleeping.
– Engaging in dangerous or destructive behavior.
– Giving away possessions when there is no other logical justification for doing so.
If a child exhibits one or more of these warning signs, Parents should take precautions immediately and they should be taken to the emergency room immediately.
How to Deal With Suicidal Thoughts: 7 Things To Do When Your Child Says They Have Suicidal Thoughts
When your child says they have suicidal thoughts, it is important to take them seriously and get help. Here are 7 things to do when your child says they have suicidal thoughts.
1. Listen To Them And Ask Them What Their Plan Is
Ask them if they have a plan for how they will kill themselves and if there are any warning signs for suicide that you should know about. It’s frightening to see a child planning to commit suicide.
If your child has any intention of harming themselves, you should hide or remove any firearms from the home, as well as keep medications and other potentially fatal objects locked up and out of reach.
Since many suicides happen at night when everyone is asleep or during the day while family members are gone at work or school, even these measures might not be sufficient. If your child’s preparations for suicide are realistic, you should seek emergency help right away.
2. Be Affectionate And Express Genuine Love
Low self-esteem, feelings of unworthiness, and other gloomy emotions are frequent causes of suicidal thoughts. You might assume that your children are aware of your love for them and that they know it but meanwhile they may not do. Children need to constantly hear from you how much you love and care for them especially when they are going through a difficult period. Simply saying, “You know I love you,” is certainly not enough. It must be expressed through both large and local acts.
The importance of your child’s life and how much you and your family value them should be expressed to your child in concrete terms.
3. Show Empathy
It’s crucial to acknowledge children’s emotions. You may say anything to express sympathy for his plight, Words like “That sounds pretty challenging.” I am aware of how agonizing it may be. “I understand how you feel; I’ve been there.”
It is more useful to ask, “What’s upsetting you, and how can I help you?” rather than telling them to stop feeling that way or to “get over it.” To show your child that you genuinely care about him, you should openly tell him that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but rather something you will respect him for and that you will both work for.
4. Keep An Eye Out For Warning Signs and keep communication open with your child as often as possible.
5. Talk About It
You should talk about the feelings that your child is having with them, but also make sure that you don’t overwhelm them or give advice until you know more about their situation. Find out more about what they are feeling by asking questions and listening carefully.
6. Make Them Feel Comfortable When Talking With You
Be Their Go-To Person. Give your children the impression that they can always talk to you about their thoughts, even if they are unusual and inclined toward suicidal ideation. By encouraging them to be open, you can lay a strong foundation for mental health and persuade them to come to you in the future if they experience suicidal thoughts once more.
7. Get Professional Help
If your child has suicidal thoughts, it’s important to get professional help as soon as possible so that the situation can be dealt with healthily. If you feel like there is not enough information or resources available, contact a mental health professional.
How To Stop Suicidal Thoughts: 8 Things You Should Do As A Parent
1. Talk About Suicide And Mental Health: Stop waiting for your child to approach you. Ask what’s wrong and offer your assistance if your child seems to be struggling or is sad, anxious, depressed, or struggling.
2. Be Attentive/alert: If a child is considering suicide, then the child is probably showing warning signals already. Watch your child’s behavior and pay attention to what they say. Suicide threats should never be ignored as youthful drama.
3. Encourage Social Interaction: Don’t support loneliness. Encourage your child to interact with encouraging family members and friends.
4. Keep An Eye On Your Child’s Social Media Usage: Observe your child’s social media activity. While social media can provide kids with important support, it can also expose them to peer pressure, bullying, rumors, and false views of other people’s lives. Encourage your child to talk to you or a trusted teacher if social media posts or messages have hurt or upset him or her.
5. Promote a Healthy Way Of Life: Encourage your child to eat healthily, exercise, and get enough sleep.
6. Support the Therapeutic Idea: Keep in mind that it can take some time for your child to feel better if they are receiving therapy for suicidal behavior. Encourage your child to abide by the advice of his or her physician. Encourage your child to take part in activities that will boost confidence as well.
7. Keep Drugs, Alcohol, And Guns Out Of Reach: If a child is already suicidal, having access to resources can be very dangerous.
8. Lastly, If you are concerned about your child, talk to them and get help right away.
Conclusion
Parents should talk about their feelings with their children and provide them with a safe space to express themselves. They will come to you when they feel like they have no one else to turn to.
It’s your responsibility as a parent, guardian, or caregiver, to show them that you care and listen. This can help children feel less alone in their struggles. The most important thing is for them to know that you’re there for them and will always be there for them no matter what.
Also, it is important for parents not to ignore the warning signs of suicidal thoughts in their children. If they do, it might lead to more severe consequences later on. With these helpful tips on how to deal with suicidal thoughts in children, Parents can be more confident in addressing situations like this.