Keeping Kids Safe
Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention
What is self-injury?
Self-injury or self-harm is when someone hurts their body without the intention of dying. This is a sign of significant emotional distress of someone lacking healthy coping skills. Kids who do this share that it is their way of coping with overwhelming feelings or to feel something when they are numb. Kids that are in pain need a way to express it. They can learn healthy ways with help.
Is self-harm the same as suicide ideation/suicidal thoughts?
Self-harm is not an attempt at suicide and they are different behaviors. But many kids who self harm do have suicidal thoughts. This can be confusing.
What can you do as a parent if your child is suicidal?
If your child is having thoughts of suicide, take them to the emergency room or the Hawthorne Center or call 911. You can also call the Washington County Crisis Line. Do not leave your child alone until you have met with a professional.
Signs of Suicide
- Drop in academic performance and or engagement
- Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy
- Preoccupation with death
- Giving away their possessions
- Significant mood change
- Change in eating and sleeping habits
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Psychosomatic symptoms like headaches and stomachaches that can't be explained
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Impulsive/aggressive behaviors
- Previous attempts or family history of suicide
- Loss like death or divorce
- Access to firearms or other lethal means
- Alcohol or substance use
Signs of Self-Injury
- Cuts, burns or bruises (arms, legs and stomach are most common)
- Often wearing bandages
- You find razors, knives or other sharp objects
- Covering up in warm weather
- Wearing lots of bracelets etc to cover wrists
- Expressing hopelessness, worthlessness (negative self talk)
- Withdrawing/social isolation
Tips for Talking to Your Kids about Self-Injury
- Talk to your child right away. Self-harm doesn't go away on it's own.
- Check your own emotions, talk when you are calm and can really listen.
- Validate your child's feelings and express understanding.
- Listen without judgement so that they will feel they can express themselves.
- Give them reassurance that you are there for them and there is help and hope.
- This is a hard topic and kids who self-harm often have trouble talking about their feelings, keep trying.
- Get professional help from someone with experience in this work.
Getting Help
School staff are here to help and connect you with resources.
Cedar Park Middle School Social Worker- Dana Sexton, LCSW
School Counselors-George McMurtry, Rebecca Pearson and Callie McAuliffe
School Psychologist- Aubrey Ashenfelter
Washington County Crisis Line 503-291-9111 (24 hours a day)
Hawthorne Crisis Center 503-846-3305
For more information, visit this site: http://www.selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu/perch/resources/parenting-2.pdf