Suicidal Tendency in Children

Suicidal tendencies in children are very risky. Parents can save the kid from taking away his life by identifying the risk factors leading to suicide. Read on to know more about the signs of suicidal tendencies in children and tips for coping with suicidal tendencies in children. Suicidal tendencies in children are a grim fact that needs to be duly addressed. This tendency is observed in children between 10-14 years of age and in adolescents. But statistics reveal that children of even 5 years of age have tried to and have committed suicide. The figures indicate that suicidal tendency is more common with the male kids. The reality is, for each complete act of suicide, there are about 100 attempts. In order to understand this tendency, let us first focus on the common risk factors leading to suicide: Depression, bipolar disorder and acute anxiety, all of which come under mood disorders are considered to be the biggest risk factors leading to suicide. The situation becomes further complicated when any of these are coupled with alcohol or substance abuse. For girls, major depression is the principal risk factor, while for the boys; it is an earlier suicide attempt which is followed by depression, disorderly behaviour or substance abuse. In this articleWarning Signs of Suicidal Tendencies in ChildrenCoping with Suicidal Tendencies in Children Warning Signs of Suicidal Tendencies in Children Let us have a look at the warning signs of suicidal tendency in children.If you find suicide notes in and around the house, always take them seriously.If you kids threaten you that he might commit suicide, take it seriously. Always be on your guard if your kid has attempted suicide earlier too.Note whether the kid is already suffering from depression, due to any reason. Then he is already exposed to the most important risk.See whether the kid is continually expressing thoughts of dejection and disillusionment. Emotions of helplessness and hopelessness are primary signals towards depression.It is a cause to worry if the kid is engaging in risky behaviour, like playing with guns in an unusual manner or is getting involved in substance abuse or shows the enhanced mark of aggression. Note if the kid is making final arrangements, like distributing or giving away his prized toys or stickers.It is unnatural if the kid is engaging in behaviour where he deliberately hurts himself time and again.If the kid shows an increased interest in things or objects dealing with suicide or death. This might be a sudden curiosity towards guns and weapons, or even medical pills.If the kid shows lack of interest in friends and family and beginning to be detached from everyone.Coping with Suicidal Tendencies in Children See whether the kid is having any problems with his surroundings. This is in reference to his family and school and friends. It is seen that in most cases where the kids attempt suicide or show disinterest in life is when they witness that there is a discord between his parents. A kid always wants a promise of security, and when he finds that there are chances that his parents may not stay together and he might end up losing one of them, he gets frightened. If he is attached to any one or both of them he cannot bear the thought of living without them, he seeks a solution be trying to end his life. So make sure that the kid is feeling secure in his family. The same goes for his school environment and his peer group as well. There can be suicidal tendencies in the kid if he is bullied in school or by his peers. A dent in self esteem can cause tremendous damage to his psychological being. If he is made to feel ashamed before his teachers, classmates and friends, he desperately wants to avoid it. He ends up contemplating a way of escape and it is unfortunate if he feels suicide as the only option out. Therefore it is up to the parents and immediate caregivers to study and observe the behavioural changes. This way you can save the kid from taking away his life. Help him with counseling or do the necessary repair in his environment as much as possible.

Suicidal tendencies in children are very risky. Parents can save the kid from taking away his life by identifying the risk factors leading to suicide. Read on to know more about the signs of suicidal tendencies in children and tips for coping with suicidal tendencies in children.

Suicidal tendencies in children are a grim fact that needs to be duly addressed. This tendency is observed in children between 10-14 years of age and in adolescents. But statistics reveal that children of even 5 years of age have tried to and have committed suicide. The figures indicate that suicidal tendency is more common with the male kids. The reality is, for each complete act of suicide, there are about 100 attempts. In order to understand this tendency, let us first focus on the common risk factors leading to suicide:

Depression, bipolar disorder and acute anxiety, all of which come under mood disorders are considered to be the biggest risk factors leading to suicide. The situation becomes further complicated when any of these are coupled with alcohol or substance abuse. For girls, major depression is the principal risk factor, while for the boys; it is an earlier suicide attempt which is followed by depression, disorderly behaviour or substance abuse.

Warning Signs of Suicidal Tendencies in Children

Let us have a look at the warning signs of suicidal tendency in children.

• If you find suicide notes in and around the house, always take them seriously.

• If you kids threaten you that he might commit suicide, take it seriously.

• Always be on your guard if your kid has attempted suicide earlier too.

• Note whether the kid is already suffering from depression, due to any reason. Then he is already exposed to the most important risk.

• See whether the kid is continually expressing thoughts of dejection and disillusionment. Emotions of helplessness and hopelessness are primary signals towards depression.

• It is a cause to worry if the kid is engaging in risky behaviour, like playing with guns in an unusual manner or is getting involved in substance abuse or shows the enhanced mark of aggression.

• Note if the kid is making final arrangements, like distributing or giving away his prized toys or stickers.

• It is unnatural if the kid is engaging in behaviour where he deliberately hurts himself time and again.

• If the kid shows an increased interest in things or objects dealing with suicide or death. This might be a sudden curiosity towards guns and weapons, or even medical pills.

• If the kid shows lack of interest in friends and family and beginning to be detached from everyone.

Coping with Suicidal Tendencies in Children

See whether the kid is having any problems with his surroundings. This is in reference to his family and school and friends. It is seen that in most cases where the kids attempt suicide or show disinterest in life is when they witness that there is a discord between his parents. A kid always wants a promise of security, and when he finds that there are chances that his parents may not stay together and he might end up losing one of them, he gets frightened. If he is attached to any one or both of them he cannot bear the thought of living without them, he seeks a solution be trying to end his life. So make sure that the kid is feeling secure in his family.

The same goes for his school environment and his peer group as well. There can be suicidal tendencies in the kid if he is bullied in school or by his peers. A dent in self esteem can cause tremendous damage to his psychological being. If he is made to feel ashamed before his teachers, classmates and friends, he desperately wants to avoid it. He ends up contemplating a way of escape and it is unfortunate if he feels suicide as the only option out.

Therefore it is up to the parents and immediate caregivers to study and observe the behavioural changes. This way you can save the kid from taking away his life. Help him with counseling or do the necessary repair in his environment as much as possible.