My kid is suicidal, now what?

You’re probably wondering how it got to this. A kiddo you would do anything for feels that they’d be better off if they weren’t around. Your emotions can range from fear, panic, sadness, and even anger or embarrassment. You’re not alone.

First things first. Assess the situation. Make sure your loved one is physically safe. Do you know where they are? Do they have access to lethal means to hurt themselves? If so, call 911 or 988.

Next, even though this feels like a time to solve the problem your loved one is facing, the next step is to validate the pain or troubling situation. If you’re loved one is near you and physically safe, try to move toward them, showing your physical and emotional availability to them. Make sure your check in on your own emotions. “What am I feeling right now and can I effectively interact with my loved one?” If you’ve been through this before, you may find it difficult to find empathy for your loved one.

Lastly, try to resist the urge for change and problem solving. It is incredibly painful to see our loved one suffering and most of us feel the urge to “fix it”. In this moment try to listen and reflect to your loved one (yes, more validation!) and communicate you are committed to them in the long run. The time to problem solve is when the suicidal crisis has passed.

Take a look at Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for your kiddo as a first line treatment for hopelessness and suicidality. You can also learn more about what causes and maintains suicidal thoughts and behaviors through a free Family Connections class.

Many of our clients aren’t willing to come to treatment. We start by working with family members to create awareness, willingness, and capability for the client to accept the help that’s being offered. Check out our future blog posts on how “family only” interventions can help treat mental health conditions.