Parents and Carers
Depression - guidance for parents
Advice to Parents with a child with depression
Suicidal Ideation
Your child might be feeling sad and not know why they are feeling the way they are feeling. Tell them that you are aware that they are going through challenging times and that you are there to listen to them and support them. Your child might be having suicidal ideation, meaning intentionally planning to take his or her own life. Suicide ideation can be a symptom of an existing mental health problem or episode, mental distress, or sometimes a side effect of psychiatric (or other) medication. Some children can say why they feel suicidal, but in other instances there may not be a clear reason, or they may be unable to talk about what they are feeling or experiencing. If your child feels suicidal, their feelings may become more intense if they: drink alcohol, use street drugs, or have sleep problems.
There is still stigma around talking about suicide which makes it even harder for someone experiencing these feelings to open up and feel understood. Asking someone if they feel suicidal or are planning to end their life may not feel like the right thing to do, but in fact professionals recommend asking direct questions about suicide. Research has shown that speaking openly about suicide decreases the likelihood of the person acting on their feelings. Asking simple, direct questions, such as, “Are you having suicidal thoughts?” or Have you felt like you want to end your life?”, can encourage them to be honest about how they are feeling. Many people feel relieved and less isolated when they are asked
Warning signs of depression
Some warning signs of depression to look for:
Sadness that lasts weeks or months. More tantrums than usual.
Finding fault in themselves in everything
Loss of energy and interest
Can’t maintain healthy relationships with friends and family
Change in eating habits, eating more than usual, or not eating at all
Having constant stomach aches or body aches
If your child shows these symptoms for weeks or months, talk to them about their problem and be willing to support. You can do activities you and your child enjoy together. Doing activities like going for walk, playing a game together encourages positive moods and help you bond.
Seek help from professional
You can fix an appointment with a therapist and seek professional help if self-help is not working. Resources to look for
The family resource center - 949-0006
Educational and therapeutic Programs
The counselling Center - 949-8789
Free counselling and substance abuse services
The Cayman Islands hospital – 949-8600 or 911 for emergencies
Psychological Assessment and therapy
Emergency/Crisis services
Private Clinics
Outpatient testing and therapy
Psychiatric services
Cayman Kids Helpline provides a safe space, and general guidance - this is not a substitute for clinical advice or treatment.
The Kids Helpline is proudly brought to you by the Alex Panton Foundation