Page 8 - Parent & Carer Support Information :: Portus

www.richmond.gov.uk/portus

How can I help?
As a parent your first reaction may be to try and fix COPING RIGHT NOW
things and sort their problems out. This isn’t always
easy or possible so it’s best to resist this urge. You can explore with your child how or whether the
Stay calm and give them space to talk. following things might help them to cope right now:
Experiencing thoughts of suicide can be extremely • Just focusing on getting through this moment
isolating for a young person. You may be unsure of rather than thinking too far ahead into the future
how to respond and be worried about saying the • How they might stay away from drugs or alcohol
wrong thing. But just being there and willing to and what to replace them with
listen helps your child feel less alone, which is really
important. • How to get to a safe place if they contact you
when away from home
LISTEN, HEAR AND UNDERSTAND • How they might spend more time with other
It can take time for a young person to feel safe people
enough to share their feelings. Try to drop • The importance of doing things they enjoy – what
everything you think you know and to hear that might include
how it really is for your child. Just listening, and
withholding your opinions, helps them open up. Be • Working with them on a plan to keep them
interested and ask, rather than guess, how they feel. safe. We have included some safety plans in this
resource or you can check out these links
Use their own words to show you’ve heard them.
This isn’t easy and needs practice – most people are Papyrus Safety Plan – Staying Safe Safety Plan
bad at really listening. But listening and talking is
really important. You can also let them know how Contact the Papyrus helpline Hopeline UK to get
brave they are and how well they’re doing. support on your next steps.
Be mindful that your child may not want lots of Call: 0800 068 4141
people to know about their self-harm/suicidal Text: 07860 039 967
feelings, it can feel very shaming and embarrassing.
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
KNOW YOUR OWN FEELINGS 9am -midnight every day
Your feelings are important too, but it’s best to Stay calm - Ask directly - Be clear and direct
share these with someone else, like a friend, parent
support line or therapist.
Many young people won’t talk to their parents
because they don’t want to make them anxious
– this is because they need their parents to act
calmly. It may therefore be easier for them to talk VISIT PAPYRUS
to someone outside of the family. It isn’t that the
parents have done anything wrong. Try not to take
anything too personally when trying to support your
child.
At times, when your child is struggling, you might
not recognise them or their behaviours. Remember
that often when people are distressed, they lash out
at the ones they love the most. This can be because
it’s safer to show their distress with those they’re
closest to. This can be hard but they still need your
support.

Portus - A Safe Space - Self-harm and Suicide Prevention - Parent & Carer Support Information
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