#Mentalhealthexperts share the signs #parents should look for — and how to act

Korin Miller

How #parents can respond if their #child is experiencing #suicideideation

The #COVID-19 #pandemic turned a new focus on the #mentalhealth of #children, with several reports noting an increase in #suicidalthoughts in #kids. One study found that hospitalizations for #suicidalthoughts increased 57% at the start of the #pandemic, with #children as young as 5 visiting emergency rooms in response to #suicidalideation.

In 2020, the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention (#CDC) ranked #suicide as the second-leading cause of death in #children between the ages of 10 and 14. While #suiciderisk in #children is often discussed in the context of older #teenagers, experts say there is a very real risk in younger #children as well.

"#Suicide is rising among younger #children," Vanessa Laurent, a pediatric #psychologist at Connecticut Children’s, tells Yahoo Life. "It is never too early to start discussing #suicidalrisk and increasing the protective factors in children’s lives."

#Suicidalthoughts "can occur in early elementary #school-age #children and in some cases earlier," which is why it's important to take a #child seriously if they talk about ending their life, Yesenia A. Marroquin, clinical #psychologist in the Department of #Child and #Adolescent Psychiatry and #Behavioral Sciences at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, tells Yahoo Life. This isn't a conceptual thing — it actually happens, Stephanie Strumberger, a licensed clinical #counselor at Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital, tells Yahoo Life. "Even as a #therapist that has been working with #children since early 2000, I am amazed at the young age at which #children even know the word #suicide," she says. "I have heard #children as young as 4 mention it."

There are a lot of helpful resources for #suicideprevention in #children, but it largely focuses on #teens. That makes sense, given that #teens are much more likely to die by #suicide than younger #children. However, data show that hundreds of younger #children kill themselves in the U.S. each year. So, what should #parents do their your younger #child expresses #suicidalthoughts? Here's what #mentalhealthexperts recommend.

Why might young #children have #suicidalthoughts?

There are a lot of potential reasons young #children may consider #suicide. "#Bullying, #trauma and high conflict or neglect in the household are some causes," Hillary Ammon, a clinical #psychologist at the Center for #Anxiety & Women's Emotional Wellness, tells Yahoo Life. "I’ve also worked with a lot of #children in this age group who reported having #suicidalthoughts because they felt overwhelmed by their #mentalhealthsymptoms and believed they were alone in their experience." Many of these #children struggled with #anxiety and #depression, Ammon says.

Research into #suicidalrisk factors in young #children is "limited," but there are some suggestions that a #child may be at risk, Marroquin says. Those can include:

- going through multiple traumatic events

- family stressors, like #divorce and parental #substanceabuse

- #school challenges, including moving #schools and being suspended or expelled

- #mentalhealthdiagnoses like #depression and #ADHD

- family history of #suicidalbehavior

- #bullying

- housing instability

"Additionally, early exposure and overuse of #socialmedia may be linked to increased #suicidalideation, with factors such as post sensitivity — reaction to posts not being well-received — and cyberbullying being key contributors," Laurent says.

How can #parents figure out if it's serious or attention-seeking #behavior?

Some #parents may assume a child's comments about #suicide are attention-seeking #behavior, but experts say it's crucial to pay attention to these remarks. "Always take it seriously, as we must prevent the risk of #self-harm or #suicide," Dr. Subodh Jain, division chief of psychiatry at Corewell Health, tells Yahoo Life.

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What #parents should do if their #child expresses #suicidalthoughts
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Strumberger agrees. "When #children are seeking attention, there is always a reason," she says. "Something is going on. The best-case scenario is that they are trying to understand what it means and what would happen." Strumberger points out that a #child is "never 'too young'" to take their own life.

If #parents notice any concerning #behaviors, Ammon recommends that they ask the #child what they are thinking and feeling. If a #child makes suicidal comments, Laurent recommends pausing and taking a deep breath to lower the risk of overreacting. "#Kids are less likely to share their feelings and thoughts if they believe their #parents will be upset or reactive," she says. "Creating an open and validating environment is crucial to avoid dismissing or rejecting the #child experiencing #suicidalideation."

She suggests asking a #child direct questions about the nature of their #suicidalthoughts. Some examples:

- "What do you mean when you say you want to die?"

- "How long have you been thinking about killing yourself?"

- "Do you have a plan of how you would try to kill yourself?"

- "What do you think would make things better?"

- "What do you need from me?"

"#Parents should also increase parental oversight and supervision and express their love and support, as well as openly discuss their plan to connect the #kid with resources," Laurent says. "Additionally, it is highly recommended that #parents lock up any sharp, ingestible or dangerous items."

If a #child is experiencing #suicidalthoughts or #behaviors, Marroquin recommends that #parents reach out to their primary care provider to see if the #child may benefit from therapy. If families need immediate assistance, she recommends calling #988 (the #SuicideandCrisisLifeline) and seeking psychiatric emergency services through their county’s mobile crisis team, local crisis center or nearest #emergencyroom.

"Remember, you know your child best — their likes and dislikes, their typical rhythm and pattern, and when something seems 'off,'" Marroquin says. "Trust those instincts."

If you or someone you know is experiencing #suicidalthoughts, call #911 or the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline at #988 or 1-800-273-8255, or text HOME to the #CrisisTextLine at 741741.

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