Talking to your child about Suicide can feel overwhelming, especially if you yourself have never had a conversation about Suicide. I tell people all the time not to be afraid to use the word Suicide. Say it out loud and don’t shy away from it. Parents often worry that saying it will make it real, but the fact is, it’s already real. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in people 10-34 years old. Think of your child, their classmates, friends, teammates. They are dying by Suicide. Times are changing and with the emergence of the World Wide Web, mainstream media and social media it can be hard to censor the information our children receive about some of the most important topics of their adolescence. Let the conversation about Suicide start with you. Below are some tips for starting the conversation.
Be Direct: Research shows that talking about suicide has the power to prevent suicide. Practice having a conversation about Suicide with your spouse or a friend before you talk to your teen. Gain comfort with the word Suicide so that when you do talk to your teen you can be direct and confident in using it throughout the conversation.
Time It: Choose a time to have the conversation when your child is most likely to engage. Perhaps at the dinner table or on your car ride home from school. The topic of Suicide might come up naturally if there is a story in the media, or if there is a celebrity opening up about suicide awareness.
Be Real: Be honest with your child about how you feel about having this talk with them. If you’re nervous, they’ll know it, but it’s a great example for them that it’s okay to have difficult conversations. If you show your ability to be vulnerable they will be more likely to share their insecurities and fears with you.
Listen: Listen to your child and their experience, knowledge, and understanding of the topic. If you hear myths or things that aren’t true, do your best to give them accurate information.
Remember: Talking about Suicide will not cause a child to become Suicidal! Talking about Suicide can open the door for your child to let you know if they or someone they know is already contemplating Suicide, and that can lead to actions which can save a life!
Connect: If your child or anyone they know is having thoughts of Suicide there is a lot of help out there. Look below for links to some of our most trusted resources to help anyone contemplating suicide.
Sincerely,
Suzette Toscano, LMFT
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/