7 year old talks of suicide?

[mamaof3tobe]

My son is 7 and in 1st grade. He deals with a lot of allergies and medical problems. tonight he broke down and said he will run away or kill himself~ he doesn't want to go to school. He wants to "pack up everything and go far far away."

Tomorrow i plan to attend school with him. I'll also contact a therapist in the am. Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this???? thanks

[treegardner]

I'm sorry I don't have any advice

[Arianwen1174]

I haven't dealt with this but had to be sure to give you a . I'm so sorry you and your son are dealing with this! Poor sweet kiddo and poor sweet mama! Hopefully therapy will help a lot. Sounds like he must be being teased at school and that just isn't okay. Good luck and keep us updated.

[heathergirl67]

I can't imagine how distressing that must be. I haven't personally dealt with that, but it sounds like you're doing all the right things. ((BIG HUGS))

[joyluc]

My DS said things like that at 6, I had him evaluated and the Dr thought it was his way of expressing how deeply he felt about things and that DS would say it because he knew that it would get my attention. But DS kept saying that 'he wished he had never been born' and sinking into depression. I got him help but it wasn't the right kind and he attempted when he was 13. He is in therapy with good people now and taking several meds, things are getting better but it is a long road. Looking back I wish I had put him in good therapy a lot sooner. Don't mean to alarm you OP but everything I have read about this says to take it really seriously and follow-up. It sounds like you are doing the right thing. Good luck to you and your DS.

[sunyata]

I got very depressed when I was about his age and told my mom I wished I'd never been born. I reasoned that that would be better than dying because I was afraid of death. So sorry you and your son are going through this. It sounds like you're on the right track, though.

My advice is to not be afraid to keep looking if the first therapist isn't helpful, as they all have different personalities and techniques, and stick with getting help for as long as your son needs it. My mom only took me to one session and didn't like the counselor. She was in huge denial, I guess, as even my pediatricians kept trying to tell her I was depressed. But she didn't want to admit there might be something wrong with our family dynamics. I really wonder how my life might have been different if I'd gotten the help I needed for mental health issues at an earlier age instead of now, in my 20s.

Also I remember being afraid to be honest with the counselor because my mom was right there sitting beside me the entire time, and I didn't want to upset my mom. They had me go sit in the car for maybe 15 minutes at the end so they could talk in private... which made me feel really weird and kind of mistrustful.

I'm not saying to avoid these things or that your son will feel that way, and I'm not trying to make this post all about me ... just trying to give you a different perspective. I probably would have felt better if someone told me that they'd kicked me out because the counselor was telling my mom how to help me, not saying bad things about me or whatever. And it would have been nice if I'd been able to talk to someone alone or even asked me if I wanted my mom to stay.

Oh, and I also hated school with a passion and wanted to run away. Feel free to PM me if you'd like.

[joyluc]

Hope you are getting the help you need OP. I agree with the PP that it is really important to help the child trust the therapist. My DS's current therapist meets with DS individually and then has us come into the room at the end of the session but he is always in there as we discuss (in summary beccause what my DS says is confidential) where he is and what our concerns might be. Please feel free to PM me too if I can do anything to help.