Suicidal Feelings with Children

[Imwoodword]

Hypothetically speaking, if someone were to present to a GP with suicidal thoughts/feelings of wanting to be away from it all, what would happen? I assume social services would have to be involved, but would kids be taken away? I am really struggling at the moment, but my husband would never forgive me if they were removed.

[NanaNina]

The answer to your Q is NO! I'm assuming you are suffering from depression/anxiety or some other mental illness. Suicidal thoughts are very common in moderate/severe depression and are in fact one of the symptoms. It's called suicide ideation in the sense that you don't want to die, you just want the pain to stop or as you say "be away from it all" and suicide seems the only way out.

Do you want to tell us anything more about your situation?

Social services wouldn't be involved because you told a GP you were having these thoughts (am a retired social worker with 30 years experience) time was when they might have been able to offer you some support, but sadly that's no longer the case because of their massive workloads, and lack of funding.

I am always shocked and saddened that so many young mums think their children could be removed because they have mental ill health. A child can only be removed by order of the court if social workers and other professionals can evidence that a child is suffering significant harm, and this means they are being seriously abused or neglected. SO stop worrying on that score and see your GP.....

[Imwoodword]

I am depressed, have been for a long time now. 2011 was a horrible year for me, 2012 I still seemed to be running on adrenaline and 2013 I crashed and haven't recovered. I was taking anti depressants but have stopped recently as they weren't helping and I've put on a ton of weight. I could cope being fat and happy, but fat and unhappy seems pointless.

My children are hard work (aren't they all?) and I am failing them on a daily basis. Maybe they would be better off elsewhere.

I will make an appointment to see a doctor to discuss a different medication. I think what I really need is some form of counselling, but doubt I'll be able to get any! Worth asking though?

Thanks for taking the time to reply

[NanaNina]

I think it might be worth asking the GP to refer you to a psychiatrist, as they are able to prescribe more than one AD at a time, and taking 2 together can often improve depression. Having said that of course, it's all train and error isn't it and it's a case of finding the right ones. GPs don't know a great deal about mental health in my experience, and will usually prescribe citalopram or sertraline (think the NICE guidelines recommend citalopram as first choice)

Do you have any triggers for your depression? Does your mood fluctuate - mine does from day to day and even through the day. Mornings are always worse for me - I think cortisol (the stress hormone) is highest in the morning and can adversely effect mood.

[captaincake]

I got referred to SS by my GP because I have PND. No other reason. There's a very long story but the short version is a SW came out and listened to our side of the story, phoned up HV, nursery, my cpn then wrote a letter to say our GP is unsupportive and the case was closed. They won't take cared for and loved DC away because someone is suffering from mental health problems the same as they wouldn't from someone with diabetes. I won't say it wasn't an incredibly stressful and shit time though

[MummySparkle]

In my experience of social services they are there to help. But you won't be referred to them unless they are harmed in any way. I had a lovely social work assistant who came around weekly and gave me lots of strategies for dealing with the children when I was struggling too. x

[NotAJammyDodger]

Suicidal thoughts (ideation) are not unusual (is fairly frequently posted about on here on MN). Most certainly GPs are used to hearing from depressives.

Been depressed before, during and after birth of DS - GP involved throughout. Been an inpatient (DS was 2yrs at the time). No SS referral, disclosure or involvement.

(When I was an impatient the only question asked was whether I had a supportive partner to care for DS whilst I was in. Which is a reasonable question to seek assurances over. That answer being yes, matter closed.)

[NotAJammyDodger]

Should have added - was seeing psychiatrist for three years, and no SS involvement over that time either.

[NotAJammyDodger]

Should have added - was seeing psychiatrist for three years, and no SS involvement over that time either.