The media has recently covered issues related to mental illness and suicide, following the suicides of three well known public figures- Avicii, Kate Spade, and Anthony Bourdain. Shocking statistics have also been released as a result of these incidents, which has increased awareness and overall discussions on these topics. For example, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently stated that the overall suicide rate in the United States has increased by approximately 25%, with approximately 45,000 individuals committing suicide in 2016. According to research, there are multiple factors that lead to suicide. Although there is often a link between mental illness and suicide, the CDC reports that 54% of suicide cases had no known mental health issues.
These events and statistics have led to parents asking many questions related to ways to talk about mental illness and suicide with their children. With the increase of school violence, cyber-bullying, the pressures of social media, and substance abuse issues, many parents are raising concerns about their children’s ability to cope with these stressors. It is common for parents to feel at a loss, as they believe their exposure to various events and experiences throughout their childhood and adolescence were extremely different. Additionally, the rise of suicides have caused many parents to avoid discussions within this area, fearing they may give their children ideas. However, this is a common misconception in parents and research indicates that such conversations actually do help and may help your child open up about any personal struggles they may be going through.
Parents are encouraged to keep discussions open and honest in order to decrease any hesitancy their children may feel about opening up about their views, questions, or concerns. Although your child may seem to be well-adjusted, it is not uncommon for children or adolescents to be directly impacted by mental illness, substance abuse issues, or suicide due to struggles family members or close friends may be experiencing. It is important to directly ask your children what they know about mental illness and suicide, given that you may be surprised as to what your pre-adolescent or adolescent child may already know. Asking your child if they’ve ever felt hopeless or worthless is important, as children and adolescents may not always directly verbalize these feelings to their parents. Many children may be afraid of fully opening up to their parents, fearing they may get in trouble, sound ungrateful, or hurt the parent’s feelings. Allowing your children to fully express themselves gives you access to their thought processes and also gives you the chance to correct any misconceptions. Additionally, giving your children a space to talk about their feelings may help you get to know them better, while they may feel supported and understood. It is important to note that many children may benefit from additional help from a qualified professional to effectively communicate about their possible struggles while gaining effective skills to cope with stressors. Please contact The Miami Psychology Group if you are interested in family or child therapy services.