Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
Nine-Year-Old Threatening to Kill Himself | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
How seriously does a parent take a nine-year-old's threat to kill himself? I have been treated before for depression and know that it can be inherited. I've worried about him before, should I take it seriously?— Terri in NJ | | | ANSWER |
July 31, 2001 | | | Dear Terri,
When a nine-year-old threatens to kill himself, I think you do have to take it very seriously. Even though very few nine-year-olds actually kill themselves, suicide does sometimes happen at this age.
But even if a child doesn't actually commit suicide, threatening to commit suicide is a clear signal that a child needs psychological help, right away. A child who says he wants to die is telling you that something is very seriously wrong.
All children want and need their parents to protect them, and a threat to commit suicide is a child's way of saying, "I need to be protected from my angry, sad feelings." You can tell your child, "I love you, and I won't let anything bad happen to you." Then make sure to get the help of a professional quickly. This will send a clear message to your child that you are serious about protecting him.
To find the professional help your child needs, talk with this doctor or nurse practitioner, and see the information in our section on finding help. As you know, depression is a very common, serious disorder. Suicide is one of the top killers of older children and adolescents, so you are not alone in having to handle this problem.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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