Hi. I need help. I'm desperate. Practical support, advice, success stories.... anything. Please.
My 6yr old son is displaying suicidal tendencies. He says he wants to kill himself and that he hates himself every single day. It has escalated since school returned after lockdown and he has only ever been like this since then. My sweet boy is gone. I have tears streaming down my face as I type this. We have an appointment with our GP this afternoon to see if I can get a referral to see a psych.
He has become increasingly verbally abusive- but not at me. At everything and everyone else.
I suspect there are issues at school and his teacher has expressed that he is struggling. Otherwise he has not displayed his distressed infront of anyone at school.
It's getting harder and harder everyday to get him to school on time. It's a battle for him as he shows such contempt towards himself. He has resorted to grabbing knives and sissors and putting them against his neck and telling me he's going to kill himself.
I'm trying my hardest to keep my wits around him and give him all the patience I can possibly offer. But inside it's tearing me apart.
I have tried to confide in a couple of friends and my Mum but they don't seem to understand the impact this is having on him or me.
His Dad and I are separated (since before he was born) but we are on good terms. He sees his Dad on a regular basis. He has siblings he is bonded to. We live in a home that is stable, secure and safe. The only thing I can put it down to is school.
Does anyone have any experience with this in a child so young?
Trigger warning: Suicide ideation
Trigger warning: Suicide ideation
Posted in:
Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression, Kids
8 Replies
Yes I’ve been there.
You will want referrals for a child psychologist, paediatrician and you may need a referral to child psychiatrist.
Things can get better, but you want to make sure you rule out any underlying missed disorders. Many kids mask well and then as school becomes more challenging the wheels fall off (so to speak).
You may want to ask your GP for a referral to a psychologist for yourself as you are going to need emotional support through out this.
I think you have taken the right step in booking a GP appointment. You could ask for a referral to CYMHS (Children and Youth Mental Health Service). Another suggestion (not sure if appropriate to your needs) would be accessing lifeline, beyond blue etc. Perhaps they may have better advice for you on your situation.
In addition to my above post if your son escalates and you are unable to help him manage his ideations I would call an ambulance or take him to emergency yourself if possible for a mental health review.
Take him out of school. A few weeks at home then 2 weeks school holiday will give him time to relax, and you time to see hoe hr is at home, and get his help set up.
Does your son have access to online games or websites? Even those more so aimed at children? Til Tok, you tube, Fortnight etc. What may seem harmless can have detrimental effects on a young child's mind.
If he is threatening suicide you take him straight to emergency. You should be taken through fairly quickly so you shouldn’t be sitting in the waiting room for long. The doctor will take you to a separate room to give medical history and explain why you are there. Not sure it will be the same given his age, but with my then 12 year old son the doctor then had a chat with him and examined him without me present. I was then called back in to wait with my son until the mental health team came down to chat to him. Definitely start with the gp for referral to a child psychologist.
Very normal for kids with anxiety, adhd, sad and many other diagnoses. As someone who has been here, get a pediatrician and child psychologist. Note that at this age they highly unlike to consider it genuine suicidal ideations even if he has a plan and will talk about how he's trying to express his unhappiness more than anything or get a reaction from you. That's due to cognitive development at this age. You should still get him assessed asap. He's clearly not happy.
I dont know what state you are in but if its Victoria, get to the Monash Medical Centre Childrens Hospital as soon as possible. They helped my friend when her 9 year old boy was going through the same. He has other issues going on but he is now doing so much better. I dont have any other advice. I just want to give you a big hug and say you aren't alone. xx