NORFOLK, Va. — The Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters' blog title gets right to the point: Difficult Conversations: Talking About Suicide.
But before parents dive into that tense talk, psychiatrist Dr. Mary Margaret Gleason recommends simply speaking to children about their feelings almost from day one.
"So that children learn that this is a topic that is acceptable and ok to talk about in their family... really from day one, that feelings are a part of daily life," she said.
The earlier those conversations begin, the more a child will open up once their problems become more complicated.
"If you think about the power of having a really uncomfortable feeling and having a word for it, it totally changes how kids can start to explore the world and be successful in the world. They can say it," added Gleason.
In a society saturated with all sorts of social media posts, the blog recommends children have access to reliable sources of information. It also outlines the signs of depression parents can look out for, such as feelings of hopelessness, changes in sleeping habits, and giving away their possessions.
In cases where parents feel there is an immediate harm to their child, they should take them to the emergency room for an assessment. Gleason advises that lesser concerns can be addressed with a parent prepared to tap into a team of experts available to help.
"Pediatric primary care clinicians are the cornerstone for all medical care for children and the good news is that in Virginia, the pediatricians and pediatric primary care clinicians have access to additional supports from the Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP)," Gleason said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Hotline.