12 signs that your child is suicidal

If you notice any of these classic signs, it is time to seek advice and take appropriate steps.

We never suspect children may be depressed. We may think they are sad, but never imagine that their playfulness might mask a deeply disturbed mind. Heart breaks, poor academic performance, jealousy, anxiety, inability to cope with daily stress can make a young kid vulnerable. Often they don t talk about it and then take a radical step like suicide to mark an end to their worries.

Here Dr Pawan Sonar, child psychiatrist and counsellor, Riddhivinayak hospital, Mumbai, talks about the signs that could mean your child is contemplating suicide, so you can reach out for help before it s too late.

1. Death threats become common

If you ever hear your child say, I will take my life, be alert. It is like a red signal for you. Sometimes children do say these things to manipulate parents. But never ignore the message. The fact that the thought of death has entered a child s mind is worrisome. Remember, if your child has been scaring you by saying this for the 10th time, the next time he might just do it. So react soon. Here are signs that say if a person is suicidal and how you can help.

2. Questions about life after death

It is a subtle sign and a worrying one too. Children who speak of life after death might have already planned to commit suicide and are curious to know whether life will be any better beyond the one they are doomed to live. Here is a guide to help you deal with suicidal thoughts.

3. Remembering dead relatives

Out of the blue if your child asks about a dead relative or wants to know more about his/her life prior to death, it is time you talk to your child and know why he developed this sudden interest. Recalling fond memories of a dear one who is no more is different from being inquisitive about their life before death. Be wary if that relative passed away by committing suicide. Did you know 1.8 lakh people take their life away every year committing suicide.

4. Charity begins in a big way

When a child starts distributing his favourite toys, books and other stuff among friends or even to strangers, it may be a sign that he has planned to take a radical step. He might be trying to make sure that his things would be taken care off after he is gone. Here are some facts about suicide you ought to know.

5. Talks to friends about death

Your child may confide in other people about his miserable existence. In the case of children who commit suicide, their parents are the last one to know about their pains. These children often tell their friends or peers that they aren t happy with their life anymore. So spying on your child s conversation with his friends in case you smell something fishy, could give you a lot of cues.

6. Desire to know more about death

A suicidal child may look for more information on death from everywhere possible -- reading obituaries, keeping clippings of news on suicide, browsing the net to know of ways to commit suicide.

7. Writing about death fantasies

It gets little tricky if your child has a knack for writing then creativity because imagination can take any path. But if your child starts to do things that he had never done before like write about death, the subject itself should make you worry. It could also be a sign that your child might suffer from depression.

8. Sleeplessness

If suicide is looming in your child s mind, he might try to take the step several times before he finally finds the courage to do it. Waking up in the middle of the night and not trying to fall asleep again is a sign that something is amiss in his life.

9. Avoiding sports

It is difficult for someone who is thinking to end his life get into any kind of physical activity. It is more out of fatigue and the heaviness of the decision that pulls him back from going out and releasing the energy through play. Here are nine reasons why sports is important for your child.

10. Irritability

Even petty issues may make your child go wild when nothing in the world seems rational to him. This is one of the signs that you need to look for among others and only when it seems excessive and unlike his typical reactions.

11. Behaviour changes

Engaging in high-risk behaviour such as rash driving, climbing a high water tank, crossing a busy road while the signal is green are all signs that your child is careless with his life. Also, there is a possibility that he may go from being a jovial child to becoming a depressed soul or vice versa.

12. Neglecting appearance

Teenagers, especially girls are concerned about their looks and physical appearance. If you see that fizzy hair, unmatched shoes and unkempt nails become a common affair, especially if it wasn t like this ever, it's time you start talking to your child.

Image source: Shuttterstock

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