How parents can detect warning signs

Suicide rates have increased overall by 24% and these recent results indicate that the disturbing trend is affecting people of all ages.

Although the study did not look into the types of poisons that people used, Mr. Ackerman said that many were turning to drugs. This means that parents must jail prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and poison like any other deadly weapon.

"We always want to be aware of safe storage practices for all types of drugs," said Ackerman.

The study does not indicate why suicide attempts are increasing in young children, but the authors note that this is happening at a time when people are increasingly relying on social media and opioid addiction has become more common. .

"It can be difficult to look at these statistics," said Ackerman. "We have so many ways to intervene and prevent suicide attempts."

Warning signs in children.

It is important for parents to address mental health and suicide because children rarely trust adults.

"Only a small fraction of kids will proactively tell their parents that they have suicidal thoughts," said Ackerman.

Children do not often leave notes and the warning signs vary slightly. Signs include:

• Distress
• Act really sad or irritable
• Avoid the activities that they generally enjoy
• Interim retired
• Take risks
• Drop in school performance
• Complain of being tired of having stomach ache (common in young children)
• Talk to friends of death
• Feeling desperate or a burden
• Express emotional pain
• In search of ways to die by suicide

Helping children with mental health

In a way, the study reinforces what the experts have understood about suicide death and gives them tools to fix it. But properly storing medications is only one way to protect children.

"I do not want parents to say that we are going to make everything safe and that's enough," said Adone Cadieux, a pediatric psychologist, who was not part of the study. "It's something you need to talk to a professional."

Many parents are reluctant to think that young children may have mental health problems, but even the youngest can have difficulty.

"With mental health problems, there is no lower age limit. They may be severely depressed or anxious at a young age, "said Cadieux, who works at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Mr. Ackerman added that children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tend to act more impulsively and have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. .

That's why all parents should do mental health checkups, especially if they notice warning signs. Cadieux recommends that parents use age-appropriate language to communicate with their children, such as:

• Do you have any ideas about not being alive?
• Do you think to hurt yourself?

While many parents fear that discussing suicide with their children will give them the misconception.

"We will not make them think of suicide," explained Cadieux.

She also emphasizes that parents should avoid using stigmatizing language. Saying something like "do not do something crazy" could make the child feel bad, feel depressed or think about suicide. It is essential that parents listen and do not try to talk to their children too.

"We need to hear what they say and listen to their feelings. We do not want to argue with them, "she said. "It's not trying to convince them that their feelings are wrong."

If children express thoughts of death or other mental health problems, parents should ask for help.

"As a parent, it's hard not to internalize a blame and think," Maybe I've done something wrong, "said Ackerman." Know that's really good to have help. "

Meghan Holohan