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Original poster

14yr old suicide attempt

17 replies

Hugebark · 15/03/2021 22:51

Hi everyone,

My 14yr old son recently swallowed 55 tablets in and attempt to end his life, he attempted the suicide because his girlfriend broke up with him, he was heartbroken over this, he is okey now but I’m worried he might try something like this again, he is very closed off when I try to talk with him about this.

Any help, suggestions, opinions Or similar situations would be appreciated, I’m so stressed out

Thanks xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Hugebark · 15/03/2021 22:52

Sorry, forgot to say this was last week he attempted the suicide. X

OP posts:
Riggsisadino · 15/03/2021 22:53

When he went to hospital was he seen by CAMHS ? Have they offered any follow up/advice. If not if you feel like he will do it again a&e is your best option. Of course if anything happens then 999

AMMCIAC · 15/03/2021 22:54

Sorry I don't have any advice but I just wanted to say I'm thinking of you and I hope your son can get the help he needs. Must have been a terrible shock for you. Flowers

Original poster
Hugebark · 15/03/2021 22:57

@Riggsisadino

When he went to hospital was he seen by CAMHS ? Have they offered any follow up/advice. If not if you feel like he will do it again a&e is your best option. Of course if anything happens then 999
He was seen by a mental health specialist? He tried to speak with my son and asked me to leave the room to allow him to open up a bit more, but the specialist come out of the room in 5min and said your son isn't talking... I've not heard anything since, no follow up or advice (apart from the obvious, to keep and eye on him)

Thanks for the reply

OP posts:
JoyOrbison · 15/03/2021 23:03

You'll be in high alert, you need to be on high alert (I'm sure you are) and, as a poster has previously advised (forget their name so I am sorry!) you need to put some tough parenting on pkace (not saying that you aren't already, but really hanging over them like a hawk Re online usage, who they talk to / communicate with, content etc) and it might mean making decisions that aren't popular while you batten down the hatches and draw the boundaries in really tight while you make your ds feel extremely secure.

Camhs has an appalling waiting list, so if you are in a no man land of no immediate threat but there is still risk, you need to communicate with everyone - go, CAMHs, school, immediate family you feel you can trust who can support you, because you will need it at some point.

Your ds might not want to talk, we have an emoji system where dc can just sit with us but doesn't want to speak, if on a low point can send us an emoji to relay emotions if struggling but says not to overload them.

It's going to feel relentless, but I'll be honest here is a goid space for you. Good luck, and best wishes for your ds.

JoyOrbison · 15/03/2021 23:05

Speak to camhs, see if you are on waiting list, if not, get that chaeec up. They will have other services they can offer in interim while you wait for face to face one on one appointments for counselling.

Neolara · 15/03/2021 23:09

Have a look at www.papyrus-uk.org/. I think they have a helpline as well as general advice.

I'm very sorry you are going through this with your DC. It must be terrifying.

JoyOrbison · 15/03/2021 23:15

Shout is a good app for your ds to put on his phone too.

Riggsisadino · 15/03/2021 23:27

Yes. Go back to CAMHS see if he's in a list he should have some form of follow up. You will be on high alert. Make sure to get some support for yourself. Don't pressure him. He may open up in his own time or he may not. Have you had a conversation with school? They may have other support services

Riggsisadino · 15/03/2021 23:27

Young minds also has a parent helpline which is excellent

persistentwoman · 15/03/2021 23:32

OP - how very frightening for you - and for him as well. Do you have anyone you can turn to for support?
If CAMHs haven't followed up tomorrow I'd speak to your GP to ask for advice? In terms of him being reluctant to speak, one thing I learnt to say was to to emphasise to my child that he needed to speak to a professional about his feelings and what had happened. I reinforced my love for him but explained that a professional could help him manage his feelings differently next time in a way that I couldn't. (hope that makes sense)

Midlifemusings · 15/03/2021 23:32

What a scary time OP. That first heartbreak can be a very, very difficult one for teens who often really think they have met the one. The endorphins of love are strong and the hurt from that being ripped away can feel unbearable.

If you are able to go on a drive with him, that might be the easiest time to talk to him. You can tell him he doesn't need to respond but there are a few things to tell him. You can validate how he felt and how hard heartbreak is, if you had heartbreak when you were young you can talk about your experience too. I would avoid telling him he will meet someone else someday because right now he likely doesn't want to. Talk about how much you love him and how hard it would be to lose him. It is okay if you get a little emotional. Talk about options for him if he feels that way again. You can ask him who he would be most likely to tell if he felt that way again (a family member, a friend etc) who is he closest to.

Definitely get him signed up for ongoing support. He may choose to not talk much - that is pretty normal for a teen boy as many aren't very good at identifying emotions or discussing them and they are embarrassed about it. Some therapist specialize in teens and they will do therapy while going for a walk or shooting hoops or something other than talk therapy.

And take care of yourself too. It doesn't hurt to have your own support to figure out what next and to process your own pain and fear.

HedWrek · 15/03/2021 23:36

You should also speak to your GP. This info might also be helpful for you.

charliewaller.org/information/depression/suicidal-thoughts-and-self-harm

Original poster
Hugebark · 16/03/2021 16:15

Thank you to everyone to replied, I very much appreciate the support. We have an appointment with Camhs tomorrow, hopefully we move forward tomorrow. Many thanks to you all.

OP posts:
Standrewsschool · 16/03/2021 16:24

Not exactly the same situation, but there are some links and suggestions on this thread which may be useful for you.

Mn thread

Hope you and dc are both doing well.

namechangeforthisjjjjjj · 31/03/2021 17:41

FlowersFlowersFlowers

Ive been there ... so tough.

Camhs helped ... not enough but did help. Weekly therapy and antidepressants.

We also set up an alert system with DD.... text us 4 if you ever feel near to doing it again and we will come running, anytime, anywhere... She used it a handful of times. And we've been on 24 hour suicide watch a few times, for weeks - exhausting and scarey

The other thing we did - which is more controversial - but I think helped is ask her to sign a contract not to kill herself before she was 19 ... we used the highest number we thought she would accept. And talked a lot about how teenage brains are vulnerable and keep changing and it is only in her early 20s that it will settle down.

Holding out HOPE is the other key thing - telling her confidently that we know her future has wonderful things in it, even if it doesnt feel like that now - that there is hope and things will change.... especially powerful when they have no hope to know that others hold it for them

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