How do I help my suicidal son

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Just turned 18, autistic, anxious. On medication for depression, talks constantly about wanting to die. On waiting list for help. Organised a private therapist for him but he’s too anxious to go, just says he’d rather be dead, there’s no point etc. What do I do if he won’t engage with support?

Is he a gamer? Have a look to see if Mindjam or a similiar service can help. They often work with autistic children and young people, counsellors and the client meeting online and all counselling is through gaming?

This must be so hard for you especially as you say your son isn’t engaging with services.

He can speak to, or instant message on a 1-2-1 Chat, a counsellor at Childline 24/7. He can do that until he is 19. He can access the young minds support as suggested. There is text support from SHOUT and Kooth.

There are services out there that can support him and I know the young minds site has a section for parents/carers.

How you get him to access the services I don’t know, but I do know that, for example, if you call Childline and you introduce him, they will do their best to talk to him.

Thanks all, I went to talk to the therapist today and while I was out he took an overdose. At a&e now. Feel terrible that I left him alone for a bit. He is awake and has been sick and don’t seem to be rushing him in. Horrible.

I am sorry if this is irresponsible. Not intended. I have been suicidal and sectioned in past so it’s not as if I haven’t been there. I was just saying what helps me now. OP has been excellent advice by the SMHP . Her DS needs to be safe.

So sorry OP . He will get the help he desperately needs now.

So sorry to hear that OP 😔 Has he been on medication?

So sorry to hear that op It’s a living nightmare.

Very sorry to hear that OP. I hope he’s physically ok and hopefully gets seen by Liaison Psychiatry.

Once you have a moment, please do re-read and save the info in my post of yesterday. I’m a Senior Mental Health Practitioner and have daily experience assessing mental health risk and deciding what treatment is appropriate in order to maintain safety in crisis situations such as these. I think the info in my previous post might be helpful over the forthcoming few weeks, in order to manage risk and help you feel clear about what to do and who to contact. He sounded what we call ‘actively suicidal’ and had demonstrated planning and means - all things that rang huge alarm bells for me.

Sending my thoughts. 💐

Thank you @FoxLoxInSox that is really helpful. I did miss it. I just didn’t realise the difference. I’ll obviously be much more vigilant now.

we are home now. He is asleep. I am speaking to the GP today and the to work to take time off . My poor boy. He’s so beautiful and brilliant, I wish he could see it.

@page17 How is he doing today? And are you holding up? Think of you both,

Thank you!

He’s quiet but has eaten well and he got up and dressed.
Im shattered and bit dazed. Had a good cry this afternoon too. I just want him to feel well. I hope we can make Xmas nice and relaxing for him. For us all. His sister is worried too. I just never thought this would happen to us.

Dear OP, I hope the links below can be of help to you and your family:

https://stayalive.prevent-suicide.org.uk/find-help-now/online/metanoia-org/

I would also recommend you read The Mountain by Laura Ding-Edwards:

https://www.centerformentalhealth.in/the-mountain/

YoungMinds is also a good source of support and advice:

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/

Mindfulness and meditation are all positive steps to explore together as well. Have a look at www.smilingmind.com.au

❤️ 🫂

If you have the money, rather than a private therapist, I'd suggest a private psychiatrist. I think medication change is more likely to help at this stage. Therapy can come afterwards when he has a diagnosis and treatment plan. I say this as someone who is probably autistic but was too old to be picked up at school and struggled on with a diagnosis of depression and anxiety for 8 years before finally being diagnosed with bipolar type 2. The change of diagnosis and treatment was life saving. I wish I had earlier access to a consultant.

Thank you both, really helpful. I’ll see if I can find a psychiatrist. See if we can afford it. He’s autistic but I do wonder if he’s on the right medication. was it very expensive?

so many helpful resources. I’m going to make a document and go through them over the holidays