After a Suicide Attempt

Suicidal thoughts or behaviours can throw an entire family into crisis.

While a suicide attempt may cause you to feel rejected, it is more likely, in fact, that it may be a sign your child needs you and your support more than ever. To help your son or daughter, you must first believe that what happened really was a suicide attempt. You need to work through your own reactions – shock, anger and helplessness - to be able to get and give your child the help they need.

You and your family can get through this immediate crisis and make positive changes that will minimize the likelihood of another attempt or other suicidal behaviors. A safety plan, worked out by you, your child, and the treatment team, is essential after a suicide attempt. If your child has been hospitalized, the safety plan needs to be in place before discharge and all parts of it, including medications and professional treatment, clearly stated and understood by everyone.

Key elements of a safety plan may include:

• Steps that will be taken to reduce the risk of further suicidal behaviours at home, e.g. removing highly lethal means such as firearms and medications.
• A list of key contacts – phone numbers for the hospital or other crisis services, family doctor, mental health workers and or family members who can be called upon in an emergency.
• Steps to help your child develop a sense of self-responsibility that will encourage her to be proactive in getting help if she begins to feel suicidal again, e.g. have her help to choose the caregivers and the type of help received.
• Actions you will take if you notice behaviours or signs that indicate a suicide risk.
• How you will build a community of support that will decrease your child’s actual or perceived social isolation. This community will include professional caregivers, other family members, friends and community agencies.
• Strategies to foster your child’s problem-solving abilities and a positive self-image.
• Steps to address family problems, e.g. courses on communication skills, parenting skills, building self-esteem, developing coping strategies.
• Self-care strategies for your child, other siblings and friends, and for yourself.

The plan will also include strategies to increase the chance your child will comply with its terms, such as:

• Talking to him about counselling and any concerns he may have about it. Discuss how counselling can help him and offer assurance that his issues and feelings will be taken seriously.
• If outpatient treatment is part of the plan, scheduling appointments at times that are convenient and locations that are readily accessible. Ask for a telephone call to remind you of the appointment.
• Setting goals that are realistic and achievable.

Above all, the plan should work with the strengths of your child and family and offer hope that things can change for the better.