It can be incredibly stressful when your child expresses suicidal thoughts. Learning how to respond effectively, understanding when it escalates into a crisis, and differentiating between self-harm and suicidality are all challenges that don't usually show up in any baby book for new parents. It is crucial for a family to be a place where kids can express suicidal thoughts, and parents require a lot of support to create and maintain that place. Family therapy can become a place where both the parents and the children can express what they need to stay safe and also to maintain a sense of family for the other members.
Please know that there is hope for healing and recovery, and that things can get better with time and support. You are deserving of love, support, and compassion, and I'm here to offer you the guidance and support you need to overcome this difficult time.
Most people have thought about suicide, but chronic suicidal thinking is something that needs to be addressed. Many therapists actually avoid working with people who are suicidal out of fear of liability. But someone needs to do it and our practice is committed to doing so. Learning to build a life worth living is a premise in DBT that helps when you're trying to let go of "suicide as a solution."