If you’re in a crisis now, do not hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
- 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- To chat online with a counselor, click here: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
- For the hearing impaired, contact the Lifeline by TTY at: 1-800-799-4889
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among children ages 5 to 14. Yet, there is a lack of awareness that pre-adolescents are experiencing this problem. Researchers are indicating that there are 33 deaths among children 5 to 11 each year due to suicide. Not all children who have suicidal ideation are clinically depressed. According to Susan Dickerson Mays, Ph.D. and colleagues at Penn State College of Medicine, Bulimia is a greater risk factor than Depression. Of course, depressed children are more likely to think about suicide. However, other problems increase the risk of suicide, including ADHD, Autism, Intellectual deficits, and Oppositional-Defiant Disorder.
Recognize the signs in your child:
- a pervasive sense of sadness or hopelessness
- loss of appetite
- loss of interest in usual activities
- turning away from friends and family or general withdrawal
- lower grades in school, especially math
- drug or alcohol use
- sleeping too much or too little
- awake til early in the morning
- suicidal ideation
- crying for no reason
- irritability or poor anger control
- giving away their possessions
- self-mutilation such as cutting
- a radical change in behavior
If you are able to wait to schedule an office visit for an assessment of your child’s depression and to determine the risk of suicide, call the office for an appointment. (770) 729-0123 We do not provide after hours emergency care.