Chapter 6: Is more help needed?

Seek professional help



I had no idea Amina was having anxiety attacks at school - usually alone in a bathroom stall. If I hadn't asked her I don't think she would have told me.


Children need additional help if they’re:

  • Behaving in dangerous ways such as running into the road or away from home.
  • Having anxiety attacks or panic attacks.
  • Harming themselves by hitting, pulling out their hair, or scratching excessively.


Older children need additional help if they’re:

  • Engaging in excessive drug or alcohol use.
  • Having many casual sexual relationships.
  • Engaging in any other dangerous or high risk behaviours.
  • Having anxiety attacks or panic attacks.
  • Harming themselves by hitting, cutting, pulling out their hair, or scratching excessively. 


Is this a suicidal thought?

When someone important to them dies, some children will tell their parents they want to die too. This isn’t necessarily suicidal thinking. Sometimes they are expressing a longing to be with the person who died. If you’re in any doubt, seek professional help immediately.

  

Don’t keep thoughts of harm or suicide to yourself!

Get professional help if your child is harming themselves by cutting or has suicidal thoughts. If they’re at immediate risk of suicide, please call 911 or take them to your nearest emergency department.