Hi Mitzi, I work in a Youth Service and have quals in Mental Health as well as daughters going through depression and self harm i have also had my own serve of depression and anxiety. We are taught to speak openly about suicide and what you did was so great to talk to your son about it. I have always had very open communication about mental health with my daughter. I wanted her to grow up and not have any false misconceptions about menatl health, who can get it and how difficult it is for anyone to manage. Im all for medication if it is required and secondly teaching them about what depression is and how it evolves. I tell my daughter that everyone is different and that what "tools" work for me might be different for her. What I am trying to get to is that your open communication and sharing information with your son is the most you can do..love him talk to him and check in. Bring it up regularly and dont assume he is OK...I am sure you are alrealy all over this!! My heart breaks when I hear a young person has taken their life and unfortunately my daughter has seen what happens to people who are left behind. She has told me that she has considered suicide so we talk about it and have a deal that I will be her intervention when she feels her emotions sliding down. You sound like a fantastic parent : ) Lee ... View more

Hey @johnerrific My heart broker reading about your son. My daughter said the same to me and I would of honesty paid kids to be her friend just to stop it happening. Although things are far from perfect I tried to normalise things so she didnt take it all so personally. I told her that school was and is a difficult time for many people and that it was no reflection on her. Definately go to the school and see what is happening there as kids can be really cruel and teachers are really not well equipped to pick up on things like this. Check to see if they have a welfare officer and if they have any services for the kids. The welfare officer helped me with my daughter and tried to link her with other like minded girls. Its not easy at all and school isnt always the answer for all kids. My nephew who lives with me had behaviour problems and the teachers were terrible to him. He left school and started an apprenticeship and when things were bad at home he came to stay with me for a break as his relationship with his parents was toxic. Since here he is a different person. So do things with him..get him to teach you his games..join in with him and show interest. Some Youth Groups have kids that love those games and they have get togethers for gamers..maybe he would connect with other like minded kids. Dont give up as you sound like loving great parents. I hope all goes well for you and that your son will find a connection soon. Lee ... View more

Hey all, Love this and although I do this with myself I will try this with the girls and let you know...thanks!!! Lee ... View more

Hi @mums_taxi Glad to meet you!! Im new here and love being a Mum as much as you by the sounds of things. I love the kids sense of humor too..I have two teenage girls and a teenage nephew so I feel young having them around!! Look forward to discussing more with you. Lee ... View more

Hey @Beekeeper You sound like a great Dad. Sorry to hear that the kids are further away...that must be difficult. Hope all is going well with your son at High School. Keep on that great parenting as I may need to ask advice one day!! Lee ... View more

Hi @Sadie My daughter is also trialling meds and counselling. We have close communication and both daughters have signed up with Headspace who are running some teenage workshops on a range of life issues. Nice to meet you and glad we are not alone!! Lee ... View more

Hey there @waldo_pepper, Good reading your comments and I am not the only one to have shared some of the awful experiences with self harm. with my kids. Its been a really tough road but I agree that unconditional love and understanding and listening to them has really helped. Good parents rock so you and I are not alone!!! ... View more

Hi my name is Lee!!! I have a 14year old daughter, a 15 year old foster daughter and a 17 year old nephew who live with me. They are great kids and so far there are way more good times than not so great. Definately challenging at times and constantly need to stop and check what kind of parent I want to be and what am I trying to teach them...argghhh!!! I keep a close eye on my stress levels now as this can trigger anxiety in me. I enjoy all happy moments with gratitude and if I feel stress levels increasing then I take myself to a quiet place or do something that relaxs me (movie;shower and pamper time;meal out; reading). A facebook topic led me to this place and I am open to giving and receiving knowledge on hard topics. Tips for parents with teenagers?? A sense of humor; faith that you have probably already taught them the things they need to know and patience when having to repeat things a million times!!! Remember they are just teenagers and not adults yet so they are going to make STACKS of mistakes even though they think they have all the answers!!! I love the weekends - the kids always have someone coming over or we go do things together. Lots of laughs and somehow the jobs get done...most of the time!! Looking forward to having discussions. Bye for now : ) ... View more