Child suicide prevention

This week is back to school for millions of children across the UK, after their half-term break of Spring term.

The festive season has long gone and summer, in their heads, may as well be in another lifetime.?

GCSEs are fast looming, and the pressure is now on, FULL ON.

For some it’s mock exams and teachers/schools have aggressive targets to hit.

Bullying is at an all-time high especially cyberbullying.

For so many of our children, social media rules their lives and they’re judged by their online status. Then, there’s the endless hours of gaming and pressure from peers for them to be online 24/7. An addiction formed in lockdown.

For two years, our children were suppressed, unable to fully grow or be vulnerable in a safe and happy environment, constantly in fear of catching a virus that could kill them and/or their loved ones.

When they do become adults, they’re inheriting a world that is damaged beyond repair with environmental destruction, wars, inequality, blame-culture, immoral capitalism, the list is endless. With, of course, the continued stigma around talking about mental health and being vulnerable to anyone outside of their immediate inner-circle as risk of judgement, even discrimination.

No wonder why thousands of our children every year within the UK decide to end their life as opposed to live in misery and suffering. And, at the time of their death, they don’t know the half of it.

Yes, this is a doom and gloom post but I couldn’t care a toss if it saves just one life.

* Parents: continually check in on your children.

1.) You can never do this too much. If you’re in any doubt about their mental health, speak to their form tutor, pastoral care, keep them off school if needs be.

2.) Take them to see their GP and push for a referral to CAHMS and YES (Youth Emotional Support). 3.) Don’t take “NO” for an answer or let them fob you off, they’ll more than likely try.

4.) Call 111 about your child if needs be and demand child mental health services.

5.) In more critical cases, report to A&E or call 999.

6.) If you’re ever at crisis point, don’t let them out of your sight and remove objects they can harm themselves with (knives, glass objects etc.) until they’ve been properly assessed by a psychiatrist.

7.) Encourage your children to check in on their mates. If they have any concerns, tell a teacher immediately. They may literally become a lifesaver without realising it and another selfless hero. Whilst they’ll never know this, the universe and karma will do. Over the course of their life, they’ll be rewarded 10x over.