Is your child acting differently lately? More unmotivated, less social, unwilling to discuss their emotions, maybe they are withdrawing from you, or you noticed a social media post that concerned you. If you are concerned that your teen may be suicidal, I am here to help! I have just completed a course specifically geared toward suicidal ideation. We discuss the individuals suicide story, and the reasons they feel that suicide is the best or only way out. Within this framework there is a specific way to work with teens. This involves an hour and a half appointment where we initially dicuss your concerns alone and work on a plan to keep your child safe. After that, I work specifically with your teenager to discover the two main 'drivers' of their suicidality and put together a tailor-made plan for them to keep themselves safe. At the end of the appointment we bring you, the caregiver, back into the room to have a quick discussion about what you could do that might be helpful to keep your teen safe. This method is called CAMS Care for Suicide and has been proven to help an individual understand their suicidal behaviours and create ways to cope so that they have an alternative to suicide. Within this framework it is said to be effective within 6-8 sessions,because the initial visit is an hour and a half it does cost a bit more, but after that it is just the regular hour session.
What Can I do to keep my child safe?
The best way to keep your child safe is to remove any dangerous objects - knives, guns, medication. If you are not comfortable doing this, then perhaps you could try to talk to your child about what is going on for them (without judgment preferably). Allowing yourself to truly listen without interruption with the goal to understand what they are saying and asking of you.
As always, if you are worried that your child is going to die by suicide unless you do something, you should go to the hospital. At the end of the post I will include some helpful numbers for you or your teen to call for immediate help.
This is Really Scary!
I understand that you may be terrified right now, and that is totally normal. When in doubt, I think getting help is usually the best answer - it is safer to be wrong, than to regret not having acted. Remember that even being a support to them at this time is showing you care, and that can mean a lot.
Other Resources
This webiste from the government of Canada provides some common warning signs, and options for helps Preventing suicide: Warning signs and how to help - Canada.ca
Phone Numbers When in Crisis:
Provincial Crisis Line - 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
310-6789 for Mental Health Support
Phone Numbers to TEXT when in Crisis:
YouthInBC Online Chat - www.youthinbc.com
Kids Help Phone - 778-783-0177 (1-800) 668-6868 or kidshelpphone.ca
Crisis Centre Chat - www.crisiscentrechat.ca
App Resources
Lifeline Canada App
My3 App
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