If you’re the parent of a child who is challenged by depression or suicidal thoughts, then you are suffering and struggling, too.
There is no sadder parent than one whose child is in pain, and there is no lonelier parent than one who is at a loss for how to help her child. But you are not alone!
Mental health is still such a taboo topic that it can be incredibly difficult to come right out and tell friends about it. You don’t want your child to be judged or thought of as “that mentally ill kid” when you know that they are so much more than that.
Talking to a therapist is absolutely critical for any parent whose child is struggling with a mental health diagnosis. It can be extremely triggering and distressing for even the most even-keeled adult.
There are other ways to find help, too. One of the best ways I’ve found is by embracing mental health, talking about it more and learning absolutely everything I can about it. Shame and stigma grow in darkness. By bringing mental health issues out into the light and talking about them, we help to end that stigma.
I try to read everything I can find and continually seek out new information and research. Because I’m a blogger, I also like to share the things I’m learning in the hopes of helping someone else, too.
I’ve also found online courses to be extremely helpful in normalizing mental health struggles and providing tips and insights on how to help manage these stressful situations. Here are a few online courses I’ve found that may be helpful to other parents.
- Course on Suicide Caregiving – I just took this free online course as it came highly recommended. Importantly, it normalizes and validates caregivers of those struggling with suicidal ideation. The course includes tips to help caregivers understand suicide and suicidal ideation in their loved ones, as well as a section on helping to manage the caregivers’ feelings themselves. Working through grief and taking care of ourselves is critical for every loved one or caregiver of a child or person with mental health issues.
- The Be There Certificate course – I took this course in 2022 and absolutely loved it. I wrote a blog post about my experience with the course so you can read my review. It’s offered through Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and Jack.org, a Canadian nonprofit that trains young leaders to revolutionize mental health. I truly believe everyone should take this free online course.
- Signs of Suicide parent training webinar – I took this workshop in 2021 and got a lot out of it; I blogged about my experience here. HelpLine and Connections Volunteer Center offer free and low-cost suicide prevention training for all gatekeepers, including parents, friends and any member of the community who may be able to identify someone at risk of suicide and provide intervention and referral. You can sign up for an August 2023 suicide prevention training course.
As an added bonus tip, I’ll tell you that all of the above training pales compared to the comprehensive, world-class training you undergo to become a Trevor Project volunteer. If you want to be the absolute best and most supportive parent possible, become a Trevor volunteer. You will learn and grow in ways you can’t even imagine!
I became a Trevor volunteer because I believe in their mission of reducing suicide and improving life for LGBTQ youth. As a side benefit, I got the best training of my life about how to support youth in crisis – always a great skill for any parent to learn.
If your kid is struggling, you are too. Don’t face these issues alone. Choose a trusted friend to share everything you’re dealing with; I hereby volunteer if you need someone to be that person for you!
In addition, find and talk to a therapist of your own. And once you’re able to breathe again – and you find yourself wanting to do and learn more – consider taking one or more of the online courses we shared here. I truly hope they will be of help and comfort to you.
