Every person who has a suicidal relative lives on the edge. Living with a suicidal parent can make a son or daughter feel like he or she is not taking enough precautions to prevent a disaster. Such a parent can neglect the child, insult, threaten and shift responsibility to him, making him feel bad - as if shifting the burden of obligations to his child in order to improve his life. Sometimes, suicidal parents behave like completely "normal" people and simply hide their problems from others.
The details of the problem do not matter - the situation is extremely difficult, and if you find yourself in a similar life situation, remember that you are not alone. You don't have to take responsibility for it, and you need support to live your life (like anyone of any age).
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Daily Life
Step 1. Don't take responsibility for your parent
Striving and doing everything possible to help your parent is normal for each of us. But keep in mind that you are not a parent (even being old enough) and your options are limited. You cannot handle this alone.
Step 2. Realize that your parent has a chemical imbalance disorder
Very rarely, suicidal people do not suffer from severe depression or other mental health problems such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or the like. They are, in a word, sick. This is due to problems not related to you, even if you misbehaved or acted inappropriately.
Find out more about what medications your parent is already taking. Often we do not pay attention or think about the side effects of many drugs. If the side effects are the same as your parent's symptoms, tell their doctor
Step 3. Remember, YOU are not the problem
You cannot be the cause of your parent's mental disorder. You are not responsible for this. You are suffering greatly from his illness, but it is not your fault.
Step 4. Get help
Try to find resources. Many professionals, your family members, and other helpful adults who care about you and your parents can be such resources.
- If you are a student, talk to a facilitator, school counselor, social worker, or someone else whose primary role is to help you.
- Tell a trusted senior instructor about this.
- Tell your doctor.
- Tell the priest about it, even if you don't usually go to church, mosque, or other place of worship. Such people are always ready to help everyone - try to contact.
- Call your parent's doctor (if you have more than one family doctor)
- Look through your phone book and look for hotline numbers in your area - they can provide emergency assistance.
- Tell a friend or close relative of your parents about this.
Step 5. Don't give up hope
With drugs, therapy, and the right treatment, mental illness can often be brought under control. New methods, medicines, and ideas for treatment are being discovered every day.
Method 2 of 2: If your parent is trying or committing suicide
Step 1. Get help in emergencies
If you think your parent is suicidal and is about to commit suicide, seek help immediately. For example, in the United States, call 911. Go to a neighbor's house, safe hideout, or anywhere you can get help if you are in danger or think your parent is losing control. This is especially important when the parent has a weapon in their hands. As scary as it may be to leave your parent alone, move to safety, call 911 and tell someone close to you that your parent is going to do something terrible.
Step 2. Remember that your parent is sick
If the worst does happen, you must understand that he did the wrong thing: it happened under the influence of a severe mental illness.
Step 3. Help yourself
Like your parent, you need care and must find it. There should also be a person next to you who can help you understand and survive the dire consequences of this time. If your parent is still alive, then after this incident your father or mother will most likely be deprived of parental rights.
Step 4. Accept your feelings
They can be confusing and confusing, and your behavior may not be what most people around you expect of you. You will have many different feelings to sort out: anger, relief, fear, numbness, or perhaps no emotion at all. All this is actually normal and natural.
Step 5. Don't blame yourself
You are the best thing in your parent's life, even if that life was tragically short.
Step 6. Do not try to replace your own mother or father
Very often children try to "educate themselves" and you may try to be a parent to your younger siblings. But that's not your concern. Let an older, experienced, reliable adult take on this role. You must remain YOURSELF.
Step 7. Do not hesitate to ask questions, even if you may not be able to get answers to some of them
You have every right to ask questions about what happened and what will happen now. Especially when it comes to such details as: where you will live, what treatment you and your parent will receive, and so on. But be aware that some of the details will remain unknown to you. Some facts, for example, specific information about the incident, you will not find out soon, or perhaps never. Some details will not be useful to you and will not be able to answer all your questions. In some aspects, you may not be satisfied with any answers, no matter what you are told. Therefore, be prepared for a long-term feeling of inner imbalance.
Step 8. Remember that your parent loves you
In all likelihood, your parent loves you - in this world or the other. It's just that illness prevented him from being a good parent. Knowing and understanding this (even if you are angry, sad, or have other feelings) can help you realize that you are someone who is loved and loved. Your parent's past or present actions will never change that.
Advice
- You are not alone.
- If you feel there is a problem, don't deny it. You and your parent MUST get outside help before it's too late.
- Your parents' problems shouldn't reflect on you.
- Find help for yourself.
- You cannot and should not fight it on your own.