I have a patient called “Alex”. He is 15 years old. He feels lonely, almost every day. He told me that he is facing a problem in school work. He is worried about his future. He is struggling to make friendships and keep those he has. He says it is difficult to get out of bed, shower and brush his teeth. He does not find joy in the things he loved, like drawing. I met him in our emergency department. It was in the middle of the crisis and came to us to help.
Alex suffers from depression and anxiety, and these feelings were continuing for about a year. He recently told me that he was considering harming himself or an overdose of the drug. These ideas have become more frequent. Talk a lot about the desire to die.
Adolescent years are difficult. Our children carry huge emotional burdens, and more young people than ever face anxiety or depression or face a problem in organizing their emotions. Unfortunately, suicide now The second main cause of death At the age of 10 to 24 years. Among this age group, Suicide rates rose More than 60 percent in the past twenty years. Chronic physical health issues, ill -treatment, or other painful events, drug use, bullying, negative experiences with social media, family history, or past history of thinking, or suicide attempt are huge risk factors.
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I sat next to many children who told me they did not want to live anymore. Some of them whisper. Others say this with tears flowing on their cheeks. It should not come to this. And parents are the key to prevention.
So why were you, a child’s psychiatrist, especially interested in Alex? Initially he had difficulty opening up and reducing the concerns that his family was about. His parents knew that something had been turned off, but they attributed it to anxiety in adolescence until the changes became more clear. His struggles and his symptoms were seriously disturbing. We needed to work.
There are many things that others think I have led to a high risk of suicide. Adolescents constantly ask their subjective value, or struggle to deal with sad situations, or a feeling of separation and contestant. The family, school and society can make these feelings worse, and the risks are exacerbated by other mental or physical health problems.
Obtaining Alex treatment, developing a clear safety plan, limiting access to things that may cause harm (such as medicines or firearms), finding friends and family to build a support network, and ensuring that he gets support in school, home and inside society will be important in reducing its risks. But this applies to all children at risk of suicide.
Having a child can be scary and uncertain. Even if everything is fine outside, it may not be. It is the last thing that any parents expect to hear. But you are in a strong position. You can protect your child by knowing what leads to suicide, pick up signs of warning and help.
You are not alone in this. There is hope. Your child can pass it. Here is how:
Warning signs are different and some are less clear than others. Alex complained that he was tired on school days, and that he had stomach pain and did not want to eat. Of course, these may be symptoms of physical health concerns, or, if they are brief and transient, may be related to adolescent behavior. When it is mysterious, continuous and weak, there is no clear medical cause, this may be one of the symptoms of anxiety, depression, chronic stress, or general emotional distress.
The realization of when your child behaves differently, and it may be unusual as a hidden sign of something wrong. For you, this is the opportunity to be curious and access to access. Early behavior can help reduce total risks.
But there are some more clear warning signs: making data about the desire to die or not exist, and to express guilt or extreme shame, saying things as if they are a constant burden on the family or others, all of which are red flags. Others include talking about feeling empty, trapped or despair; Or isolate themselves, or like Alex, no longer do the activities they enjoyed. Mood is very important. Some children are nervous, sad, or constantly anxious. Others talk about unbearable emotional or physical pain. You may see major changes in eating or sleep patterns, and participate in risky and unusual behaviors, including drug use.
Alex told the primary care doctor and his family how high his risk; He told his family how he felt besieged. The mental health screen has confirmed concerns about the exacerbation of depression, anxiety and the most frequent ideas about harming itself. The emergency visit confirmed that he was in crisis.
More and more experts recommend Preventing and examining the risks of suicideAnd the primary care doctor for your child, their school, mental health providers, and the emergency department of your local hospital, all of Hasman partners. This examination is often shared in a secret way on a leaflet or tablet, and is reviewed by a healthcare professional. Sometimes the screen can be verbally done.
Children often do not tell you what they feel until you ask them directly. Sometimes they bury their emotions or hide their ideas, and ask them directly to liberate their burdens. The direct question, as well as the examination tool, is how we determine the risks even if your child is in the doctor because of something completely else – an infection or broken bone. Even if you see your child negatively, the questions are an important opportunity to verify your child’s emotional health, provide education, and a conversation.
What happens if the risks become urgent? Summoning or text 988, the national crisis line. You may have a local crisis management number or location. Trust your instincts – if there is something, act.
At home, secure anything your child can use to harm himself, such as weapons, sharp objects and medications. Even elements such as pencils, fishing hooks, scissors, or paper clips may pose a threat to some young people of the risk of infection or suicide. The only downside to be “” also “is to allow your child to know that you care about them, and it is not a negative aspect at all. Create a safety plan that includes confrontation strategies when emotions are high and safe and emergency connections. These communications can include parents, other family, or other adults, trust in school or in society. Keep useful what existing resources are when the risk of self -harm or suicide increases.
When you can, ask your son directly: “Have you ever felt sadly because you don’t want to be here?” And “Have you thought about harming yourself or killing yourself?” These questions do not put ideas in their heads – they show you care. Let your child know that you love them and appreciate their sincerity and courage.
Try to transfer them to the mental health provider as soon as possible and work with your local school and the primary care office to maintain the safety of your child. If there is a long wait, try your school or primary care office, as well as the mental health office in the local community and crisis services. They may have ways to accelerate access to care or can provide bridging and support services until this care is available. Many states also have programs in the field of self -field, where the local primary care office, the emergency department or school can reach psychiatry and psychology experience. If there is more serious exacerbation or fears about suicide or self -harm, then move to the emergency department or service other appropriate crises in your community.
Although all of this may be hard and stress can be uncomfortable, do not forget to take care of you. The national alliance can help with mental illness. To be a teenager is really difficult. Remember that your child’s struggles do not make you a failure as a parent – in a state of present and fast response, sympathy and seeking to help maintain his safety is a tremendous gift that you can offer a teenager at risk.
Alex’s family saw his calm sorrow and mood and that he was not doing the things he had enjoyed. After opening up to his parents and the mental health team in the emergency department, he said that he felt a vacuum in addition to feeling. He told them how he had a problem in making friendships, how his difficulties were academically affecting him, and that he had ideas about killing himself. He told me that he felt immediately relieved of the bad things. Although Alex indicated that he had ideas about killing himself, he said he had no desire or intention to act on these ideas. He wanted to help.
Alex worked with me, his care team and his parents to create a safety plan, obtained quick follow -up care and started psychotherapy within a week. He later started in the medicine to treat depression and anxiety. Within several weeks, his mood improved, and his old activities began to bring joy again, and after six months, he was flourishing and drawing again.
Every time I hear patients that they wish they were not alive, I feel the weight of their pain. I would like to help. Stay in touch, listen, represent the warning signs and use the resources around you here to help maintain your child’s safety is how you can make a big difference.
With correct support, most young people with suicide ideas are recovered and continue to lead a happy and happy life. I have seen families approaching together during difficult times. One conversation, one work of love, one connection at one time; This is the way we live – and we live.
If you need help
If you or anyone you know are struggling or suffering from suicide ideas, then help is available. Call or send a text message to 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 988 or use an online lifeline chat.