Hey guys,
Very important topic which I have also created a podcast for. I believe in the year of 2024 that we are within common knowledge that it is extremely difficult to place facts upon events or occurrences as a stable mean for example in the processes of suicidal thoughts in children (or adults). They happen very differently for each individual experiencing them. In 2024 it is seen that many children are struggling with mental health disorders/conditions or enduring temporary changes that are disrupting their wellbeing, ultimately changing their behaviours / thoughts, often many children will struggle in silence as they are within confusion, some children may be vocal about their distress but others may just become withdrawn and without communications, but how can we as adults isolate and tell these children apart, –
Do you know what it feels like to be a child with suicidal thoughts? I do in a few ways, in ways such as, by enduring them myself, by supporting others closely with their thoughts at a young age, from working with children, from studying child psychology, from working alongside parents and finally from experience with SAPUK so please let me help you to understand what I know,
Please note that this may be sensitive to some readers – below is a collection of views, experiences, facts and more so how to support a child if you feel they may be experiencing these thoughts or behaviours,
Each and every small mind matters to me and us, meaning suicidal ideations in any young person should be all of our business not just that of the child, parents, care givers or school.
Childhood suicidal thoughts and ideations can develop from anywhere such as, environmental, biological, sociological, some more commonly being childhood neglect, abuse or trauma, childhood bullying or any other threatening behaviour towards a child that may endure them to encounter negative experiences, furthermore being negative behaviours, thoughts or feelings, neurological reasons and probably more;
Research from Mcgill University of protein-building machinery,
In May researchers at McGill University reported that the gene responsible for creating cells’ protein-building machinery is more frequently methylated in the hippocampus—the brain region responsible for short-term memory and spatial navigation—of depressed suicide victims who suffered child abuse than in the brains of nonsuicide victims who were not abused.
Again, the researchers do not yet know how problems with protein-building machinery lead to depression and suicide. But “it makes sense that if you have some limited capacity for protein synthesis, you gradually are depriving yourself of building critical synapses,” or connections between neurons, which could be important for staying happy.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-origins-of-suicidal-brains/
From the child’s point of view – Experiencing suicidal thoughts as a child is very exhausting and confusing, disallowing the child to engage fully with positive or motivational brain engagement that is critical for mental stability and growth. As a child experiencing suicidal ideations it can encourage a child to distort from what is reality and what is not. A child may become familiar with another life (not reality) and thus more so be within belief that the reality they are within is not their actual reality. Asking about suicide is crucial if you believe they may be feeling this way, as it will allow them to understand familiarity within safety and safeguarding themselves in these darker areas. It may also ensure they are not feeling alone and isolated.
Although suicides under 10 are not as common, they are still very much a growing concern. No child should have to experience these thoughts. Although these thoughts can develop and arrive from any cause, it is also seen that suicidal ideation can be genetical via psychiatric disorders or other mental or health conditions, please see study below –
New York, NY – (November 29, 2021)
In the largest genetic study of suicide attempts to date, researchers have identified a region of the genome on chromosome 7 containing DNA variations that increase the risk that a person will attempt suicide. The study also found overlap in the genetic basis of suicide attempts and that of related psychiatric disorders, particularly major depression
Suicidal thoughts are a concern regardless of their psychological background, it is not a healthy mind to experience these suicidal ideations, if you are with an actively engaging child or adult, always be within caution that suicide may instantly or progressively occur, some individuals may experience intrusive thoughts that may just enter the mind for no or little reasonings due to a neurological disturbance. Please see information on how to safeguard an individual – safeguarding an individual
In childhood when engaging with suicidal thoughts the signs to look for are crucial to supporting the child, firstly seeking out whether the child is within depression, the signs may be
- The child is tired, irregular sleeping
- Actively and continuously fed up
- Isolating or preferring solitude,
- Lack of motivation on tasks
- Lack of fun or silly engagement
- Seeming hopeless / confused / dazed
- Actively talking about topics regarding sadness
- Not eating / drinking properly
- Irrational behaviour / Acting out of character
- Giving things away
- Feels a burden, avoids help
More concerningly, prolonged behaviours of this nature can create more habitual recurring suicidal thoughts in the future, meaning that as an adult these thoughts that were produced as a child may be re-gaining entry due to already learning this path as a child.
The frontopolar cortex is greatly affected when a brain is suicidal, a developing brain does not yet have a fully formed cortex meaning that if this cortex is negatively affected during its growth periods it may cause neurological and lasting subconscious pressures on the brain in the future, such as depression and suicidal thoughts. Suicidal thoughts as an adult from childhood, coming soon; Ensuring open communications around the topic of suicide may be crucial for you and your child.
To support your child, try to be open with communication, ensuring they know that you are there, treat them as though they are ill. Sometimes when actively suicidal a child will need a rest period to process what is happening, please do not pressurize them into communication but ensure they know that you are there when they are ready to talk, be patient always, try to find the source of these feelings, and learn about triggers – blog coming soon about triggers;
Another concern that young children may endure is experiencing another child who has suicidal thoughts, thus learning these thoughts and behaviours, if you suspect your child is engaging in this manner please try to engage with the child to understand where this has come from, as sometimes these may occur due to an attention disorder, but still needs to be engaged with appropriately as these disorders can change into actions.
If you believe your child may be within an attention disorder, you must explain the properties of an attention disorder to your child and maybe tend where needed if your child needs reassurance in any manner – please for advice as every person is individual message me – danielle@suicideapuk.co.uk
If you believe your child or you may know of a child that is struggling with their suicidal thoughts / ideations, please reach out for support as soon as you are able too, as understanding how to support your child is critical for their future and mental health.
Thankyou for reading;