KNOW THE SIGNS: SAVE A LIFE
Everyone should be aware of the warning signs for suicide, especially for younger children. Being aware of these could literally save your child’s life!
A common misconception is that a person (including your kid) has to have a known mental health diagnosis in order to be truly suicidal. THIS IS NOT TRUE! Although according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 90% percent of 10-24 year olds who complete suicide did have an underlying mental illness, this means that 1 in 10 did NOT. So, your child does not have to have a diagnosed mental illness to be suicidal. Please don’t let that cloud your judgement if you think you’re seeing any of these following warning signs.
WARNING SIGNS:
- Having a preoccupation with death (it could be through talking, writing/journaling, or drawing)
- Writing good bye notes
- Giving possessions away
- A sudden change in behavior
- Talking about a plan for suicide
At-Risk Factors for Suicide, in Children:
These are parts of your child’s life circumstances which put him/her at greater risk or completing suicide.
- Having just had a big fight with a close family member or friend
- Diagnosis of ADD, ADHD, Depression and/or Bipolar Disorder
- Access to firearms
- Family history of suicide
- Previous attempts
- Being male (Females often make more attempts at suicide than males, but males tend to use more lethal means so there’s less chance for a rescue.)
Privacy and Suicidal Children
I know many parents have strong views about letting their kids maintain their own space. But, this is not the moment to be squeamish about privacy. You may want to consider checking their room for drawings or a journal entry that may shed more light on the inner workings of their mind. I understand this is a sensitive area. But, if you are truly suspicious that your kid is having suicidal thoughts the risk is too high to not do everything in your power to help your kid. Better for them to be alive and mad at you for an invasion of privacy than the alternative.
Next Steps if You Suspect Your Child is Thinking of Suicide
If you have noticed any of these signs, you may want to have a discussion with your child about how they’re feeling. What To Do When Your Young Child Talks About Suicide is a great resource to help you figure out the next steps to take if you’re concerned about your son or daughter.
Related Articles
- Impulse Control Activities: Teaching the Basics
- How To Teach Impulse Control In Children (Part 2 of the Impulse Control Series)
- What To Do When Your Young Child Talks About Suicide
