Dr. Keith Klosterman, a marriage and family therapist, discussed how suicide and suicide ideation affects the family. We talked about how loss can affect family members differently and an attempt can cause trust issues in the marriage or between parents and children. We talked about how to begin a discussion about mental health and suicide as it’s not common dinner table conversation! With your children he advises to practice listening, patience and tolerance; to hear what they are saying, and answer questions and concerns honestly in age-appropriate terms.
For more information and resources he suggests we visit the American Psychologist’s Association at APA.org or the American Counseling Association at ACA.org. In a crisis call 988.