18: When a Child has Suicidal Thoughts

Parenting in the Rain, Episode 18

When a Child has Suicidal Thoughts

In This Episode:  

Below are some snippets from a

conversation with Jonathan Singer, LCSW, Ph.D.  on this

episode of Parenting in the Rain podcast.

Jonathan shares that suicide is

the 2nd leading cause of death in the United States.

“Risk factors” are different

than “warning signs” when talking about the issue of

suicide.

Risk factors are conditions that

increase the person’s chance that they may try to take their life

by suicide.  It is important to know that having risk factors

doesn’t equate to suicide ideation or intent.

Warning signs are things that

let you know that there are foreseeable plans for suicide in the

near future.   It’s important that a thorough assessment

is done by a mental health professional if warning signs are

present.  

Expressing “hopeless” about the

future and talking about a plan are some warning signs to be aware

of.

It’s important for parents to listen to their children,

especially when warning signs are present, and to take it

seriously.   Dismissing a child’s warnings signs

are not helpful and could be dangerous.

When someone dismisses a child’s

thoughts of emotional pain they may interpret the person as

conveying “your pain is not a priority to me”.

When adults can determine if the

child wants “to die” or just wants “to be happy”, a supportive

response can be more aligned with what is the best help for the

child during that time.

Parents should seek support from

mental health professionals before suicide ideation is present if possible.

Sometimes the egocentric state

that can be present in teenagers due to a natural developmental

stage of adolescence can lead them to feel like thoughts of suicide

is something that “everyone” has present in their lives and feeling

like it is “normal”.  It is important to  concerns

relating to suicide early and often.

It’s important to seek

assistance from professionals when you suspect suicidal thoughts;

parents should not try to figure out how to help their child on

their own as even the professionals consult since it can be a

complex and is a serious matter.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)

is the intentional, self-inflicted harm to one’s body.

If someone is engaging in

self-harming behavior, even if believed to be NSSI, a suicide risk

assessment should be performed in a professional setting.

There are many reasons why

children engage in self harming behaviors, mental health

professionals can perform a suicide risk assessment and help with

issues surrounding the self-harming behaviors.

“Postvention” happens after a

suicide death to support people as it pertains to prevention of

future deaths by suicide and to address the grief and trauma of the

bereaved.

Jonathan mentioned a great

resource for schools, “After a Suicide: A Toolkit for

Schools”

https://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/App_Files/Media/PDF/sprc_online_library.pdf

It’s important to be aware and a

part of your child’s social media world to use as your own

“megaphone” to communicate helpful information to those in need of

it.

Sometimes children have more

than one social media account. It’s important to be aware and

involved as a parent.

Jonathan mentioned the following

quotes:  Carl Rogers’ quote, “Congruence e is the key to

happiness.”  

And, the quote “Suicide doesn’t

take away the pain, it gives it to someone else.”

Hannah’s Heroes  is a

non-profit organization with a passionate mission to draw attention

to youth suicide prevention. They work with and through community

agencies and partners to develop solutions that provide support for

their community and prevent other losses.  Visit their website

at  http://www.hannahs-heroes.org/

and donate to their cause, Youth

Suicide Prevention, if possible.