Follow these tips to give your child the most appropriate response for his age; It is important that you know what to say to him and what to do about the subject of suicide, since today we see and hear it not only in the news and social networks, but increasingly in daily life.
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- Avoid saying “it’s nothing, forget it.” By doing so, you make the subject a taboo and it means that he will grow up thinking it is “bad.” Suicide is a social reality that must be prevented and, therefore, known.
- Never lie to him. The best thing is never to do it because when your child finds out the truth he may feel belittled, and you risk your confidence.
- Although it sounds extreme, it is important that you make clear the reason for death: suicide is not usually the cause of death, but rather injuries or related effects, such as cardiac or respiratory arrest.
- Don’t be afraid to talk about death with your child; it is part of the natural process of life and perhaps this question is an opportunity to help you understand the losses.
- Don’t inhibit your emotions, even if it’s anger or frustration. He also needs to understand and know what people feel as a result of suicide, since they are part of living and accepting losses. Also, if you inhibit them, you can understand that the “correct” thing is to put on a shell so as not to feel pain.
- Do not go into too much detail, answer the question only: define what suicide is, that is, it is taking your own life, “killing yourself.” Surely your child will ask you more questions than you answer, so you must be precise and not give him information that he is not asking for.
- If you don’t feel able to answer the question, go with a willing relative or a professional. Especially if the situation comes from the fact that they have just lived through the suicide of a relative and now you have to break the news.
In truth, nothing happens to talk about suicide; the subject will be as complicated as you want it to be. The best thing is to make your child see that it is a way that people are dying, that it is not good or bad, it just happens. Now if he asks you why it happens, after telling him that people who commit suicide feel very lonely in the world, make it clear that he has you and his father, and you love him deeply.