When a Child Commits Suicide

Here's what's happening on the HealthyPlace site this week:

• When a Child Commits Suicide
• "Surviving the Suicide of a Child" On HealthyPlace TV
• More Information on Child and Teen Suicide
• Depression and Anxiety
• Tools to Help Improve Your Mental Health

When a Child Commits Suicide

For parents, the thought of a child dying for any reason is a tragedy beyond compare. But what happens when your child commits suicide? How do you even begin to deal with that?

• Dealing with Anger and Guilt After a Suicide
• Coping With Loss: Bereavement and Grief
• Families Need Help to Deal with Aftermath of Suicide Attempts

HealthyPlace.com Medical Director and Board-Certified Psychiatrist, Dr. Harry Croft, notes that child and teenage suicide can sometimes be prevented by recognizing the symptoms of depression in children and the warning signs that your child is contemplating suicide and then contacting your family doctor and taking immediate and appropriate action. Here are some ways to help a suicidal person.

• How To Help A Depressed Child
• Difference Between Teen Moodiness and Depression
• Talking with Your School-Age Child about Depression
• Stress in Children: What It Is, How Parents Can Help

More articles on depression in adults and children here.

"Surviving the Suicide of a Child" On HealthyPlace TV

Eleven years ago, Elaine's 17- year old son committed suicide. The impact it had on her and how she survived that horrible afternoon is the subject of this Tuesday's HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show.

Join us Tuesday night, July 7. The show starts at 5:30p PT, 7:30 CT, 8:30 ET and airs live on our website.

• TV Show Blog with this week's show info
• Parents Surviving the Suicide of Their Child (Dr. Croft's blog post)

In the second half of the show, you get to ask HealthyPlace.com Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft, your personal mental health questions.

Coming in July on the HealthyPlace TV Show

• Sexual Addiction
• Narcissism
• Suicidality and Psychiatric Medications

If you would like to be a guest on the show or share you personal story in writing or via video, please write us at: producer AT healthyplace.com

Click here for a list of previous HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Shows.

More Information on Child and Teen Suicide

• Suicide in Youth: What You Can Do About It
• Risk Factors for Child and Teen Suicide
• All About Teen Suicide
• Is My Child Contemplating Suicide?
• Suicide and Teenagers: What Parents Need to Know
• A Suicide: No Warning Of Her Decision To End Her Life

HealthyPlace Suicide Section containing articles on all aspects of suicide, plus suicide hotline phone numbers.

Depression and Anxiety

Many people don't realize it, but depression and anxiety often go hand-in-hand. For example, Tom writes in to say:

"I've been dealing with panic attacks for two years now with almost no let up. Now, depression is setting in. What can I do?"
- Tom, 32 years old

Seeing a good therapist can help, says Dr. Croft. Therapists who specialize in treating anxiety disorders can also help with the depression. In addition, some of the medications used to treat depression are the same medications used in treating anxiety and panic.

Detailed information on Anxiety Disorders: Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Getting Help for Depression

Tools to Help Improve Your Mental Health

We have many tools on the HealthyPlace website designed to help you analyze and manage your mental health needs. Since we re-launched our site in February, nearly 5,000 people are taking advantage of the HealthyPlace Mediminder - Mental Health Medication Reminder Tool. It will send you an email or text alert when it's time to take your medication, plus a reminder when it's time for a re-fill.

Over 4,000 people are keeping track of their depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety levels using the HealthyPlace Mood Tracker - Mood Journal. Not only can you track your moods via charts and notes, but you can pre-set an alert to be sent to your doctor, therapist, or caregiver if your mood reaches a serious level.

Our online psychological tests are designed to be instantly scored and saved to your profile. That allows you to initially check out your symptoms and by taking the psychological tests on a regular basis, you can monitor any improvement or deterioration in your condition.

And there's the HealthyPlace Mental Health Support Network, where members gather to blog and discuss their situations, as well as provide support to others.

All HealthyPlace Mental Health Tools are free of charge. To take full advantage of them, simply register on the HealthyPlace site by clicking the "register" tab on the top-right side of any page.

back to: HealthyPlace.com Mental-Health Newsletter Index