Depression/Suicide

Unhappiness and depression are hard to watch in someone we love. If sadness continues over time and interrupts the flow of life, it is serious. It may look to the adult like the child has just stopped life in their tracks. Life is hard, and there does not appear to be a logical explanation or solution.

Time and intensity. Moodiness comes and goes, while depression sticks around and makes every part of life a little harder. With depression, you may still see some "up" times, but they are usually short-lived and fleeting.

Suicidal thoughts can be an outgrowth of depression. When a child feels helpless and hopeless, ending life may seem like an option. This is a scary place to be. Checking in with your child and asking if they feel like it will get better and that life can be fun again, or if they have thought about hurting themselves, is very important. At any point, if you are concerned about their answer to these questions, a suicide assessment should be conducted.

If you are concerned about your child's immediate safety, call 911. Tell the operator your concerns and fears. The police will come to help get your child to a hospital or mental health center. In the meantime, do not leave your child alone. (You may need to follow them into the bathroom.) Remove all hazardous materials from the house or store them out of your child's reach. This includes guns, large knives, razor blades, over-the-counter and prescription pills, ropes, etc. If your child has mentioned a specific way to kill themselves, pay particular attention to the materials needed and remove those materials.

If your child is cooperative, you can take them to the emergency room. A doctor will speak with you, evaluate the situation and make recommendations. If it is determined that they need to be kept safe in the hospital, the police or hospital staff will help you.

As a parent, this can be a scary and lonely experience. Please remember, there are places to go for help and people ready to support you. Trust your instincts. If you feel something is wrong with your child, it probably is. If you are concerned about your child's safety, act on that concern.

If a child has mentioned feeling depressed, hopeless or suicidal, believe it and check it out. It is too much to risk that they might have been "just kidding." Research tells us that students who die by suicide or attempt suicide have thought about it multiple times before acting.

Depression is not only a mood disorder, but also a physical condition. Medication (antidepressants) is often prescribed as a first intervention. We know that treatment can be most effective when counseling or therapy is included. There are specific skills that can be taught to help a child feel in control and hopeful.

Sometimes, depending on your policy. Coverage for mental health varies a lot with different insurance companies. Your company may have a specific group of psychiatrists and therapists from which you can choose. Johnson County Mental Health will work on a sliding scale. If you need immediate help, call the 24-hour after-hours number at 913-384-3535.

Decisions regarding medication and medication management should be made in consultation with a qualified professional with the training and expertise to prescribe and manage medications for depression. Some antidepressants have side effects, and proper parent and professional monitoring of adolescents on medications is essential.