Many suicidal children and adolescents have clinical depression alone or in conjunction with another mental illness like anxiety disorder, attention deficit disorder, bipolar illness (manic depression), or child-onset schizophrenia. Each child’s personality, biological makeup, and environment are unique, and depression and suicidal ideation in children are complex issues involving many factors. By recognizing and treating children we can improve the chances a young person with depression can live a longer, healthier, more quality life.
NEW!!! 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Some areas may be currently able to connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the United States starting on July 16, 2022.
Know what to watch for
In addition to the standard symptoms of depression, and warning signs of suicide look for the following in children:
Verbal Clues: Saying things like ...
- "I shouldn't be here."
- "I'm going to run away."
- "I wish I were dead."
- "I'm going to kill myself."
- "I wish I could disappear forever."
- "If a person did this or that... would he/she die?"
- "The voices tell me to kill myself."
- "Maybe if I died, people would love me more."
- "I want to see what it feels like to die."
- "My parent's won't even miss me."
- "My boy/girlfriend won’t care anyway."
Behavioral Clues: Doing things like ...
- Talking or joking about suicide.
- Giving away prized possessions.
- Preoccupation with death/violence; TV, movies, drawings, books, at play, music.
- High risk behavior such as jumping from high places, running into traffic, self-injurious behaviors (cutting, burning).
- Having several accidents resulting in injury; "close calls" or "brushes with death."
- Obsession with guns and knives.
- Previous suicidal thoughts or attempts.
High-risk children:
- Are preoccupied with death, and don't understand it is permanent.
- Believe a person goes to a better place after dying or can come alive after dying.
- Are impulsive (act without realizing the consequences of their actions).
- Have no or little sense of fear or danger.
- Tend to have perfectionist tendencies.
- Truly feel that it would be better for everyone else if they were dead.
- Believe that if they could join a loved one who died, they would then be rid of their pain and be at peace.
- Have parents or relatives who have attempted suicide (modeling behaviors/genetic factors can be involved here).
- Are hopeless; feeling that things will never get better, that they will never feel better.
Child's attempt or suicidal behavior:
- Doesn't know why they're doing it, but feels unable to stop it.
- May not remember the attempt when it's over.
- Feels as if they were/are in a trance.
- May think they will be rescued.
- Acting out pain because of an inability to verbalize feelings.
- Increased impulsiveness and impaired judgment, perceptions and cognitive skills.
Healthy, non-impulsive children who talk about death or seem preoccupied after losing a friend or loved one, but have a clear understanding that death is final, and who are not depressed, are probably at a very low risk for suicidal behavior.
Typically, when asked about their own death, children most often state it will happen due to old age or getting sick when they’re old. Many suicidal children believe that when others die, death is final, but that if they die, their death is reversible. Vulnerable children and adolescents who may be under stress (internal or external) may have a change in perceptions of and feelings about death.
Know What To Do
Because children aren't always able to understand and explain their feelings, as adults we must be more vigilant in understanding the ways depression and suicide manifest in children, and work to get them the help they need.
If you think a child may be suicidal, ask questions about suicide like, "Do you ever ...
- have thoughts of hurting yourself?"
- feel so badly that you have thoughts of dying?"
- wish you could runaway or disappear?"
- wish you could go to sleep and not wake up?"
- have scary dreams about dying?"
Treatment options might include:
- Depression Inventory Scales, Suicidal Risk Assessments, Suicidal Intent Scales, Degree of Hopelessness Scales, Diagnostic Interview Questionnaires.
- Out-patient psychotherapy:
- Cognitive Therapy - teaches more positive thinking, coping skills and problem-solving
- Interpersonal Therapy - might teach children how to make friends
- Group Therapy - with others of similar age that have a depressive illness
- Family Therapy - works with the entire family and discusses various family dynamics
- Various supports at school. Talk with a school nurse about the options available.
- Various forms of play therapy, relaxation therapy, biofeedback, visualization.
- Antidepressant medications, stimulants, also some types of alternative medicine.
- Hospitalization (in-patient, partial hospitalization, day-treatment).
How to Help
- Educate yourself on childhood & adolescent depressive illnesses and suicide.
- Assure your child they can feel better, that suicidal thoughts are only temporary, and that there are people who can help them.
- Always take suicidal tendencies seriously and respond immediately.
- Know that early intervention is the key to successful treatment for children who suffer from depressive illnesses.
- Understand that treatment should be a team-approach including a psychotherapist, a child/adolescent psychiatrist, parents, relatives, caregivers, school personnel, friends, babysitters, neighbors and other significant people in the child's life.
Source: SAVE: Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.
NEVER underestimate if you think your child is depressed or has expressed thoughts of death or hurting him/herself. Seek help!
Call:
- 911
- 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
- 988 (988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Some areas may be currently able to connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the United States starting on July 16, 2022.)
Text:
- 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889)
- Crisis Text Line : Text 741741 from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.
Local resources:
- HCA Midwest /Research Psychiatric Center (inpatient and outpatient, 12 years through adult) 1-844-207-4511
- KU Mental Health - Marillac Campus (inpatient services for children) 913-547-3800
- Crittenton Children's Center (inpatient and outpatient services for children) 816-765-6600
- Johnson County Mental Health (24 hour emergency services, children to adults) 913-268-0156
- Kids TLC (Inpatient and outpatient services for children, specializing in trauma) 913-324-3658
- Suicide.org : Suicide Prevention, Awareness, and Support 1-800--SUICIDE (784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK (8256)
- •#ZeroReasonsWhy zeroreasonswhy.org is a teen initiated group for suicide prevention in our area.
Drug and Alcohol Treatment
- The Crossroads Program is a drug and alcohol rehab center providing a treatment program for adolescents, teens and young adults (ages 13-25 ish).
- Midwest Recovery Centers aims to provide quality addiction treatment in a safe and structured environment. With the help of professional therapy, education, and 12-step support, Midwest Recovery Centers enhances the personal growth of each client and their family.
- Valley Hope provides patient-centered, compassionate care to individuals, families and communities impacted by drug and alcohol addiction.
LGBQT+ Risks and Resources
The LGBTQ+ community is diverse and made up of different experiences, identities, and challenges, but members of the community are disproportionately at-risk for suicide and other mental health struggles.
If you identify as LGBQT+
•Know you are not alone. Find resources at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/lgbtq/
•Talk to someone. Don’t keep thoughts of suicide to yourself.
•Build a support network. Develop a support network in your life that will help keep you safe and that you can lean on if you feel depressed or suicidal.
•Make a safety plan. Have a step-by-step plan ready for if/when you feel depressed, suicidal, or in crisis, so you can start at step one and continue through the steps until you feel safe.
Be an ally to a friend or family member who identifies as LGBQT+:
Support from family, trusted adults, and friends make all the difference for transgender children and youth.
- Publicly show your support for the LGBTQ+ community. Support them by affirming their identity, using their pronouns, and being committed to providing a non-judgmental and safe space for all.
- Over 80% of LGBTQ+ youth have been assaulted or threatened, and every instance of victimization in an LGBTQ+ person’s life more than doubles the likelihood of self-harming. Stand up for victims. Don't be a bystander.
- Learn about LGBTQ+:
- Be an active part of your loved ones’ support systems and check in with them often. If they show any warning signs for suicide, be direct and ask. Tell them it’s OK to talk about suicidal feelings. Listen to their story without offering advice or judgment.
- Link them to resources:
- Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
- It Gets Better Project https://itgetsbetter.org/
Free Resources:
Free apps that have been shown to help anxiety and depression are available from IntelliCare. These apps are part of a nationwide research study funded by the National Institutes of Health.
