Suicidal thoughts

For parents and caregivers

There can be few things more upsetting as a parent than finding out that your child is having suicidal thoughts. Please know that you are not alone and that there is help for you and your child or young adult. Although many young people who experience such thoughts may not want to act on them, they are clearly a sign that they are feeling overwhelmed and need help urgently. For some, suicidal thoughts may take the form of imagining that everything would be easier if they weren’t here, but they would never actually carry out a plan. If a young person has made detailed plans, that is an even more serious concern.

You (or your child if they are an adult) should speak urgently to your GP who can make an emergency referral to mental health services. Here are some links to helplines and, further down the page, some other resources such as making a safety plan, grounding techniques for overwhelming feelings and making a ‘hope” or emergency box.

• Recognising the warning signs of depression and talking about suicidal thoughts.
• How can I help my child with thoughts of suicide?
• Helping my child with depression
• How do I know if someone is suicidal?

   

• The Antidepressant Workbook. A downloadable workbook with audio to encourage resilience in young people who’ve suffered from depression.
• The Suicide Intervention Toolkit. for young people at risk of suicide. This resource can also be used by healthcare professionals.
• The Suicide Intervention Toolkit for parents and caregivers.
• Going into hospital – frequently asked questions