4 things to know when talking to your kids about suicide

Gregory D. Ramey, Executive Director of Dayton Children’s Hospital Center for Pediatric Mental Health Resources, advises parents be willing to discuss the subject of suicide with their children.

1) Parents should not be fearful of asking the question of whether they have thought about suicide – the question won’t prompt someone to kill themselves.

2) If parents have concerns, they should bring it up at the right time and in the right way.

3) Don’t discuss this topic when children are angry or just home from school.

4) Don’t ask questions in an accusatory way, but in a more general way. Don’t ask, “Is there anything wrong with you?” Rather, ask general questions like, “What has been going on with you and your friends?”

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