Suicidal Thoughts and Depression in Children

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Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If your child is having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If your child is having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

While many people think of depression as an adult condition, roughly 3% of children experience depression as well. If that isn’t heartbreaking enough on its own, suicidal thoughts or thoughts of killing oneself can accompany depression—even in children. How can you know if your child is having suicidal thoughts and what can you do?

How to Tell If Your Child Is Having Suicidal Thoughts

Suicidal thoughts, also known assuicidal ideation, may not always be completely obvious to others, not even to a child’s parents. Part of the reason for that is that children with suicidal thoughts will probably not speak directly about them as an adult might.

Instead, suicidal thoughts in children may manifest through an interest in and/or preoccupation with suicide or death. You may notice signs of this preoccupation in your child’s clothing, the shows they watch on television, the websites they visit on the computer, through what they write in journals or even on homework, or in the way in which they identify with others who are depressed or have spoken of suicide.

On the other hand, sometimes a childwillspeak directly about wanting to die or a wish to kill themselves. They might even speak indirectly about wanting “to make it all go away” or thinking “the world would be a better place without me.”

Often, there are few signs of suicidal thoughts in children, especially in children who are more shy or withdrawn. If this is the case with your child, how can you know as a parent if they are having suicidal thoughts? A key may be recognizing thesigns of childhood depression, knowing that suicidal thoughts and depression can go hand in hand.

Why Do People Die By Suicide?

Depression in Children Is a Risk for Suicidal Thoughts

If your child hasn’t openly expressed any suicidal thoughts, it’s important to recognize the possible symptoms of childhood depression, since these are often associated with suicidal thoughts. This may include feelings such as worthlessness, hopelessness, andsocial withdrawal.

Suicidal thoughts do not always lead to a suicide attempt, but such thoughts are believed to increase a child’s risk.

While not all children who are depressed have suicidal thoughts (it’s more common in children with early-onset depression and a longer duration of symptoms), depression is considered arisk factor for suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Suicide is one of the scaryconsequences of untreated depression in children, but depression in children can be devastating in other ways as well.

What You Should Know About Childhood Depression

What to Do If Your Child Is Having Suicidal Thoughts

Additionally, therapeutic treatment for depression can help to decrease your child’s suicidal thoughts if they are having them. If your doctor suggests medication, such as an antidepressant, do your homework.

Although generally safe and effective, research has indicated that the use of antidepressants, includingselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs), can increasesuicidal ideation in some children and adolescents.

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Tips on Communicating With Your Child

If you decide to talk about depression with your child, you may be concerned about saying the “right” thing. But the truth is that just having an open and honest discussion with your child can provide them with much-needed support.

With a few tips, concerned parents and caregivers can confidently talk about depression with their children.

Keep the Talk Age-Appropriate

Keep the Conversation Positive

Be Honest

Be Compassionate

Be a Good Listener

Ask Questions

If you are concerned, directly ask your child if they are thinking about suicide. Contrary to what was believed in the past, talking about suicide will not give your child ideas. Instead, it can help them recognize the problem and knowwhen and how to ask for help.

Parental support (including emotional support, such as listening to your child’s worries and comforting them when they’re disappointed or frustrated) is associated with a lower incidence of suicidal thoughts in middle school-age children.

If there are any safety concerns, do not provide judgment or discipline; simply remove your child from immediate danger, do not leave them alone, and get them immediate help.

Never dismiss suicidal thoughts in a child and never promise to keep them a secret. Any suicidal thoughts or behaviors should be brought to the attention of your child’s pediatrician or mental health provider immediately. If needed, bring the child to an emergency room or call an ambulance.

A Word From Verywell

Suicidal thoughts should always be taken very seriously, and it should never be assumed that your child is only seeking attention. Always seek help and address these thoughts as potential warning signs of suicide. Sometimes children are afraid to express these thoughts and may present them in a joking manner. Suicide is far too common in children, and any thoughts should be addressed.

Likewise, if you see a health care provider who doesn’t believe your child’s suicidal thoughts are serious even though you do, get another opinion. Trust your instincts when it comes to your child. You know them better than anyone.

Make sure that your kids know that they can ask for help if they ever think about hurting themselves, including calling the suicide hotline listed above, calling their doctor, calling 911, or going to a local crisis center or the emergency room.

Teen Suicide Warning Signs and Prevention

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ghandour RM, Sherman LJ, Vladutiu CJ, et al.Prevalence and Treatment of Depression, Anxiety, and Conduct Problems in US Children.J Pediatr. 2019;206:256-267.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.09.021Glenn CR, Kleiman EM, Coppersmith DDL, et al.Implicit identification with death predicts change in suicide ideation during psychiatric treatment in adolescents.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2017;58(12):1319-1329. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12769Prager LM.Depression and suicide in children and adolescents.Pediatr Rev. 2009;30(6):199-205. doi:10.1542/pir.30-6-199Cox G, Hetrick S.Psychosocial interventions for self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in children and young people: What? How? Who? and Where?Evid Based Ment Health. 2017;20(2):35-40. doi:10.1136/eb-2017-102667Jane Garland E, Kutcher S, Virani A, Elbe D.Update on the Use of SSRIs and SNRIs with Children and Adolescents in Clinical Practice.J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016;25(1):4–10.Stark K.Handbook of Depression in Children and Adolescents. (Johnston H, Reynolds W, eds.). New York: Springer Science & Business Media; 2013:275-309.Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide.Talking to Your Kid About Suicide.Kang BH, Kang JH, Park HA, et al.The mediating role of parental support in the relationship between life stress and suicidal ideation among middle school students.Korean J Fam Med. 2017;38(4):213-219. doi:10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.4.213Additional ReadingCenters For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC).Anxiety And Depression In Children. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. Updated September 2019.Kaslow N.What To Do If You’re Worried About Suicide. Child Mind Institute. Updated May 2019.Mullen S.Major depressive disorder in children and adolescents.Ment Health Clin. 2018;8(6):275-283. doi:10.9740/mhc.2018.11.275

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ghandour RM, Sherman LJ, Vladutiu CJ, et al.Prevalence and Treatment of Depression, Anxiety, and Conduct Problems in US Children.J Pediatr. 2019;206:256-267.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.09.021Glenn CR, Kleiman EM, Coppersmith DDL, et al.Implicit identification with death predicts change in suicide ideation during psychiatric treatment in adolescents.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2017;58(12):1319-1329. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12769Prager LM.Depression and suicide in children and adolescents.Pediatr Rev. 2009;30(6):199-205. doi:10.1542/pir.30-6-199Cox G, Hetrick S.Psychosocial interventions for self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in children and young people: What? How? Who? and Where?Evid Based Ment Health. 2017;20(2):35-40. doi:10.1136/eb-2017-102667Jane Garland E, Kutcher S, Virani A, Elbe D.Update on the Use of SSRIs and SNRIs with Children and Adolescents in Clinical Practice.J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016;25(1):4–10.Stark K.Handbook of Depression in Children and Adolescents. (Johnston H, Reynolds W, eds.). New York: Springer Science & Business Media; 2013:275-309.Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide.Talking to Your Kid About Suicide.Kang BH, Kang JH, Park HA, et al.The mediating role of parental support in the relationship between life stress and suicidal ideation among middle school students.Korean J Fam Med. 2017;38(4):213-219. doi:10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.4.213Additional ReadingCenters For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC).Anxiety And Depression In Children. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. Updated September 2019.Kaslow N.What To Do If You’re Worried About Suicide. Child Mind Institute. Updated May 2019.Mullen S.Major depressive disorder in children and adolescents.Ment Health Clin. 2018;8(6):275-283. doi:10.9740/mhc.2018.11.275

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Ghandour RM, Sherman LJ, Vladutiu CJ, et al.Prevalence and Treatment of Depression, Anxiety, and Conduct Problems in US Children.J Pediatr. 2019;206:256-267.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.09.021Glenn CR, Kleiman EM, Coppersmith DDL, et al.Implicit identification with death predicts change in suicide ideation during psychiatric treatment in adolescents.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2017;58(12):1319-1329. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12769Prager LM.Depression and suicide in children and adolescents.Pediatr Rev. 2009;30(6):199-205. doi:10.1542/pir.30-6-199Cox G, Hetrick S.Psychosocial interventions for self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in children and young people: What? How? Who? and Where?Evid Based Ment Health. 2017;20(2):35-40. doi:10.1136/eb-2017-102667Jane Garland E, Kutcher S, Virani A, Elbe D.Update on the Use of SSRIs and SNRIs with Children and Adolescents in Clinical Practice.J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016;25(1):4–10.Stark K.Handbook of Depression in Children and Adolescents. (Johnston H, Reynolds W, eds.). New York: Springer Science & Business Media; 2013:275-309.Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide.Talking to Your Kid About Suicide.Kang BH, Kang JH, Park HA, et al.The mediating role of parental support in the relationship between life stress and suicidal ideation among middle school students.Korean J Fam Med. 2017;38(4):213-219. doi:10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.4.213

Ghandour RM, Sherman LJ, Vladutiu CJ, et al.Prevalence and Treatment of Depression, Anxiety, and Conduct Problems in US Children.J Pediatr. 2019;206:256-267.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.09.021

Glenn CR, Kleiman EM, Coppersmith DDL, et al.Implicit identification with death predicts change in suicide ideation during psychiatric treatment in adolescents.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2017;58(12):1319-1329. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12769

Prager LM.Depression and suicide in children and adolescents.Pediatr Rev. 2009;30(6):199-205. doi:10.1542/pir.30-6-199

Cox G, Hetrick S.Psychosocial interventions for self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in children and young people: What? How? Who? and Where?Evid Based Ment Health. 2017;20(2):35-40. doi:10.1136/eb-2017-102667

Jane Garland E, Kutcher S, Virani A, Elbe D.Update on the Use of SSRIs and SNRIs with Children and Adolescents in Clinical Practice.J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016;25(1):4–10.

Stark K.Handbook of Depression in Children and Adolescents. (Johnston H, Reynolds W, eds.). New York: Springer Science & Business Media; 2013:275-309.

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide.Talking to Your Kid About Suicide.

Kang BH, Kang JH, Park HA, et al.The mediating role of parental support in the relationship between life stress and suicidal ideation among middle school students.Korean J Fam Med. 2017;38(4):213-219. doi:10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.4.213

Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC).Anxiety And Depression In Children. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. Updated September 2019.Kaslow N.What To Do If You’re Worried About Suicide. Child Mind Institute. Updated May 2019.Mullen S.Major depressive disorder in children and adolescents.Ment Health Clin. 2018;8(6):275-283. doi:10.9740/mhc.2018.11.275

Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC).Anxiety And Depression In Children. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. Updated September 2019.

Kaslow N.What To Do If You’re Worried About Suicide. Child Mind Institute. Updated May 2019.

Mullen S.Major depressive disorder in children and adolescents.Ment Health Clin. 2018;8(6):275-283. doi:10.9740/mhc.2018.11.275

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