Suicide facts for kids

When a person has very strong feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or stress, they might start to think about ending their own life. This is called having suicidal thoughts. When someone actually ends their life, it is sometimes called "dying by suicide."

It's really important to know that if someone is thinking about ending their life, it's a serious situation, like a medical emergency. They should never be left alone, and they need help right away.

Understanding Suicidal Thoughts

Thinking about ending your life is a sign that someone is going through a very tough time. It's not a normal feeling, and it means they need support and care. These thoughts can be very scary, but there is always help available.

What Causes Suicidal Thoughts?

There are many reasons why someone might start to have suicidal thoughts. Often, these thoughts are connected to a mental health condition or illness. This doesn't mean someone is "crazy"; it just means their brain is having trouble with feelings and thoughts, just like other parts of the body can get sick.

Depression and Mental Health

One of the most common mental health conditions that can lead to suicidal thoughts is depression. Depression is more than just feeling sad for a day or two. It's a deep, lasting sadness that can make everything feel difficult and hopeless. It can also make someone lose interest in things they used to enjoy.

Depression can be caused by many things, such as:

• Stress: Feeling overwhelmed by school, family, or friends.
• Difficult life events: Like losing a loved one, a pet, or having big changes at home or school.
• Long-term problems: Sometimes, a mental health condition can be something a person has dealt with for a long time.
• Sudden changes: Other times, the feelings can come on quickly.

It's important to remember that depression is a real illness, but it is also treatable. This means that with the right help, people can feel better and suicidal thoughts can often be prevented.

Getting Help and Support

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, it's crucial to get help right away. You don't have to deal with these feelings alone.

Who Can Help?

Many people can offer support and help:

• Trusted adults: Talk to a parent, guardian, teacher, school counselor, coach, or another adult you trust.
• Doctors: A doctor can help understand what's going on and suggest the best type of help.
• Mental health professionals: These are people like therapists, counselors, or psychologists who are trained to help with feelings and thoughts. They can teach coping skills and help you understand your emotions.
• Crisis hotlines: There are special phone numbers you can call or text anytime, day or night, where trained people can listen and help you find support. These are often free and confidential.

What Happens When You Get Help?

Getting help usually involves talking to someone about your feelings. A therapist might use different types of therapy to help you. This could be talking about your problems, learning new ways to think about things, or finding healthy ways to deal with stress. Sometimes, a doctor might suggest medicine that can help balance brain chemicals and make you feel better.

Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It means you want to feel better, and that's a brave step.