Let’s Talk & Save Lives

Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: 2019/09 - September

When my son was nine his dad let him watch “Alien.” He came home withdrawn and frightened. It took several hours to get him to tell me the whole story. He’d also fallen in the tub and bruised his back. When he saw the bruise, he was convinced he had an alien inside him for about three days before he came home.

You never know what a kid will imagine. And they often don’t talk about such things. because it’s scary and embarrassing. Add to that the fact that my son didn’t want to rat out his dad for letting him watch an R-rated movie. Complicated. 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Beverly Ramey MS, RN, FNP-C and a Mission Family Nurse Practitioner since November of last year, shares the following regarding mental health awareness (depression and suicide) for kids 3-17. And yes, three-year-olds can suffer anxiety, too.

She says my son behaved typically. Something was bothering him, he didn’t know how to handle it, so he clammed up. It’s our job as parents to stay on top of that … to keep communication channels open. Beverly says, “…not just when something’s up, but talk every day, so it becomes part of a family routine.”

She says to ask open-ended questions, not the kind that can be answered with “yes” or “no.”  A closed question: “Did you have a good day?” An information-gathering question: “What was the high (or low) point of your day?” The latter opens the door to more questions, follow-ups, and the real skinny on what’s going on. 

Children often feel powerless, so ask empowering questions: “What is your biggest fear?” followed by, “If you could change something in your life right now, what would it be?”

How do you separate a serious emotional problem from ordinary pre-pubescent or teenage angst? Pay attention to behavior. Warning signals:

Irritable moods or mood-swings

Bouts of sadness 

Lack of sleep (or sleeping a lot)

Refusal to play or go outside

Impaired concentration

Excessive weight loss or gain

Refusal to go to school

Disciplinary problems at school

Poor grades

No longer doing things once enjoyed

Bullying

Mentioning death, drawing pictures of killing people, or people dying

Family history of mental illness

Talk of self-mutilation, suicide, or saying, “The world would be better off without me.” Or “I want to die.”

What contributes to these red flags? It could be a family in crisis because of:

 A dysfunctional parent

A family member dealing with substance abuse

A divorce

A death

An older sibling leaving home for college/job/marriage

Abuse or neglect

Solutions:

Ask questions and listen without judgment.

Take your child to your primary care physician or a counselor (or have a friend or relative take them if they refuse your help)

Visit ER in an emergency situation.

See a counselor yourself to get guidance in helping your child.

Beverly’s office is a walk-in, so no need to make an appointment. If you feel your child is in crisis, take him/her in during regular hours and get help right away. 

Keep these numbers handy:

Mission Health Center Highlands:
(828) 526-4346

Mission Community Primary Care Cashiers:
(828) 743-2491

Highlands Cashiers Hospital: (828) 526-1200