What should I do about 7 year old that talked about committing suicide when he was at school?

Question

teacher called me and was very upset. I don't think this is common

Unsure as to school counselor or psychiatrist

Last night when there was a tornado warning he told his brother to hurry in cuz he didn't want to die.

Answer 1

dont listen to coward. geez, some people.

try asking him gently about it. there are a few possibilties.. maybe he said it for attention, maybe he doesnt even know what it means, or maybe he is feeling depressed. it sounds like whatever it is, there is a problem going on.

try talking to him, and then definitely try therapy. as a child who went through the school counselor, i would not recommend it. find your own, research good child psychologists in your area.

good luck :)

Answer 2

At 7, you can say words but that doesnt necessarily mean they know what it means or is serious. I would get cranky with my parents when I was 10 and would tell them I would kill myself. Put it in context....Is he a sad child, does he mope around all the time, does he eat well? Look at his behaviour before you start rushing off to specialists and counsellors and psychiatrists because it could have the opposite affect whereby you are drawing attention to the fact that something is wrong with this child...he/she could end up with psychiatric problems if people are over-reacting. The teacher may be totally over-reacting to a simple comment this child made in the heat of the moment. I think you would be the best judge of whether your child is in a depressed state, and yes, kids do get depression. Monitor his behaviour. Maybe it is as simple as your child being picked on at school and this was a comment he made while he was upset. Has he threatened suicide more than once? Is it a common for him to talk like this?

A lot of people are frightened of words like suicide, but the best approach is to ask your child. Ask him why he feels like killing himself...be upfront....sometimes a person, child or adult or says things like this need the opportunity to talk about why they are unhappy. Better still, and probably a better way to go about it is when the two of you are alone ask him does he know what suicide means...When you get his answer you will know what to do....it is also probably the best way to get him talking, and if he really does want to kill himself, then and only then would I go to the extremes some of these people are talking about...I would not engage any professional intervention until I was sure of the situation myself. Like I said, getting professional intervention without knowing the facts could do this child a lot of damage.

Well I think the need for a counsellor would be a fruitless excercise..he has virtually told you he doesnt want to die, but I would still talk to him about that comment he made at school

Answer 3

So I assume it is your son/daughter and you are mom. Well shocking to think they can think of suicide huh. talk to them about it. Don't ask why questions, they can't answer them. Ask what they would do to hurt themeselves. What do they want to do in 10 years? What happens if you die?
This would give you an idea of the permance of the decision. Get the kid to a counselor a good one. (not a school counselor, becuase they need more than what training they usually have although I have met some very good ones....) If he/she has a plan it is dangerous for them to be alone. I had a 6 year old hang herself off the top bunk bed. (she's okay and 24 yo) I was a volunteer to help her and it was at night while she was "sleeping".

Answer 4

Get this child some counseling, a good counselor will be able to determine whether there is anything to worry about or if this is just a child crying out for attention. I am really not sure if at 7 yrs old a child even has a real idea of what death is.

Answer 5

I would seek professional help fast. Children with mental health problems can do things without acting. i have a daughter that's bi-polar and she's 10yrs old. I've been there. If you find that you can't get into the Dr's office for another week then seek a mental health facility. The longer you wait the more worse he/she can get especially if they are hearing voices too.

Answer 6

Well no not normal. But you should see what your school couns. has to say. I agree with others, he probably heard it from a friend or from the tv or something like that (maybe due to the school shootings of recent). I doubt its credible as serious or anything, but just go to the couns. and then they may say to seek a social worker/ therapist or a psychologist that deals with kids.

Answer 7

Take him to a counselor or psychiatrist

Answer 8

that is totally not common... though i first attempted suicide at age 10...... i needed help and so does your son... get him to a real pyschiatrist and real therapist...none of these christian church type counselors....but a real qualified psychiatrist and therapist......

church type counselors only made me worse and did not take me seriously......... also they had their own agendas and also followed my parent's agendas......

i might be more normal today if i had gotten the kind of help i needed early on.....

Answer 9

no dont take your kid to a mental hospital thats unfair for him if hes taken involuntarily and it would just make him mad at you when you guys are older look if there are problems going on at home then try to staop those probalems dont yell at him and give him some of hes space becuase he would probabbly would be moody if he relaly si planning on commiting suicide make a desicion of what you wnat to do

Answer 10

talk to the school counselor.. but in all honesty, at that age it was probably something the 7 year old observed somewhere else (home, TV, wherever) but you should still talk to the school counselor