Real Stories, Real People: Suicide: Children and Teens
Javier
It was a Friday night. The police called the Community MH Authority Mobile Crisis Team for help because 6-year-old Javier, had a knife to his throat and was threatening suicide. His parents spoke only Spanish while Javier, who had spent most of his life in the U.S., spoke mostly English.Javier needed psychiatric assistance, but no offices were open, his parents were uninsured, and there was a several-week wait. Usually this would lead to admission to a mental hospital, but the Crisis Team thought that would be too traumatic, because of his age.
The Mobile Crisis team worked to find a psychiatrist to see Javier on Monday. In the meantime they devised a safety plan with Javier's family and kept in touch with them throughout the weekend to help.
Two days later, Javier received medication to stabilize him. He is safe at home with his family, receiving the therapy and loving care that he needs.
A true story from EMQ Children and Family Services, CA
Angelique
“Angelique” was only 15 when she twice attempted to overdose and was seen in the hospital emergency room. After numerous attempts to commit suicide, she was placed in a psychiatric hospital where she stayed from age 16 until she turned 18.
During visits home, she was determined to find services that would enable her to stay at home instead of being in a shelter. Seeing how much Southwest Solutions wraparound services helped her younger sister Nicole, she wanted to get involved so she could learn how to become more independent.
Her “support team” included her Grandmother, her sister, her brother Joaquin, her therapist, a mentor, a family advocate and her resource coordinator from Southwest, Heather Brown. They help her to be responsible for setting her own goals and would review progress on the goals.
They helped her set up a bank account and complete my GED. They helped her get into college and move into a new apartment.
Angelique now works full time and has even started working with Southwest Solutions to help others. She has given many speeches about her experiences including one before the United States Surgeon General and the Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health.
She now is more confident moving forward with her life and is committed to helping others overcome similar struggles.
A true story from Southwest Counseling Solutions,
Keeshawn
“Keeshawn,” a 7 year-old boy, was referred to Washburn Child Guidance Center, a children’s mental health center in Minneapolis, during a shelter placement after he climbed a tree saying he was going to kill himself.
Keeshawn's parents' rights were terminated after chronic abuse and neglect. He then went to live with his aunt and cousins (and several pit bulls). Keeshawn was suspended from school regularly for nearly daily explosive and aggressive outbursts during academic tasks.
Therapy in an intensive day treatment program focused on teaching Keeshawn self-regulation skills to manage his frustration with academic work and to build his sense of competency and efficacy with learning. Keeshawn also got involved with sports and this proved beneficial to his treatment and education.
Keeshawn’s daily aggressive outbursts dissipated over the course of treatment and he successfully "graduated” after about 11 months. Six months after graduation, he had had only one outburst at school. Keeshawn made rapid academic progress, and went on to win a citywide wrestling tournament.
A true story from Washburn Intensive Early Treatment in Minneapolis, MN
Tessie
As a baby, “Tessie” was found in her crib nearly frozen to death. Taken from her home for safekeeping, she was sent to live with her grandfather who soon began to commit acts of sexual abuse. At 8, she started hearing voices and seeing things. She was now being molested by three other members of the family.
Tessie attempted suicide at age 12. After being hospitalized, she was left with an aunt and uncle who molested her as well. She was given a prescription for thorizine, but her family never gave it to her and her illness worsened. It was no surprise that she ended up in reform school, jail and eventually prison.
Addicted to drugs, in 1991 she went into recovery but it didn’t last. She soon started drinking and using drugs again. Eventually with the help of MHMRA, she was able to get help. Tessie has now been clean and sober now for three years and wants to help others overcome similar problems.
A true story from MHMRA of
