What to Do When You're a Parent Who Has Constant Suicide Thoughts

Many parents are struggling with mental health, but this seems to be underrated as parents are expected to appear strong, tough, and firm. As a result, they tend to hide what their real emotions are.

More than millions of American parents are currently living with suicidal thoughts, and over 1 million are speaking up about their thoughts each year. 

Kimberly Zapata, a contributor to Parents, admitted that it's been a month since she wanted to end her life. Although she has a beautiful home and loving family who is her rock and her world, her loved ones could not keep her from darkness and she admitted she couldn't save herself.

Before she thought of ending her life, she cherished moments with her child and despite having fun with her child, she knew in the back of her mind that she had already checked out as she didn't want pain anymore. She knew exactly to herself that she don't want to wake up the next day as she was fully aware that it would be another burden for her.

Zapata didn't end her life nor did she try. She stayed up in the emergency room instead, alone and afraid. She was with a nurse sitting in her room who was there to watch her at all times.

Showering one with mental health issues with love and support

Doreen Marshall, Ph.D., vice president of mission engagement at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said that although support from others is salient as it plays a critical role in one's personal life, suicide and mental health crises are health issues first.

Marshall said love is really not enough and is not a cure for any disease. Just like high blood pressure or diabetes, providing adequate treatment and a necessary plan is important to cure any disease or disorder. The vice president reminds people that when they know someone who is in a suicidal crisis, they are is so much emotional pain that hinders them from connecting to their loved ones or asking for support from people around them.

People who experience such are more focused on the emotional pain they are experiencing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 12.2 million Americans are contemplating suicidal thoughts. About 3.2 million planned to end their lives, while about 1.2 million committed suicide. 

Kimberly said that what truly saved her were extreme support and care and an emergency plan.

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Barriers to curing mental health issues among parents

Although safety plans for parents are something hard to achieve, they must still ensure to have one as it helps to recognize thoughts and what activates them. Moreover, it provides step-by-step instructions on what to do to keep themselves secure in that moment. Such can include details about who to call or where the person in a crisis can go.

Notwithstanding, nearly everyone can experience suicidal thoughts and have mental health issues, but there is a stigma when parents are the ones having such thoughts as fear and shame exist.

The National Library of Medicine states that there is also a barrier to receiving effective mental health treatment as the cost is indeed high and is not affordable for everyone. Approximately 60-70 percent said that they are more worried about the cost as well as the lack of services.

Related Article: Study Finds Depressed Mothers Show Less Attention to Their Child's Needs