In great sorrow, the parents of the 10-year-old girl who took her own life have publicly revealed the indescribable changes that the girl exhibited before her death. This is a sad and difficult story; however, it also highlights the need for awareness of children’s mental health issues even at a young age.
Gone was the shining light
The little girl was painted as a bright and happy personality by her family, yet some unexplained signs were first interpreted as mood changes only. The parents observed that the child was becoming more and more isolated. She gradually gave up on the activities that had once been her passion. Sleep deprivation was one of the problems she was facing – she frequently stayed up late at night, and her eating habits changed considerably.
At first, the parents were of the opinion that the child was simply going through a stage or that it might be the school that was causing her stress. Yet, the changes in her character were more and more evident. The child became a bit aggressive and talkative, even going as far as saying she would be better off if she were dead—a situation that no parent could have ever imagined.
No One Saw the Signs
Now, after the fact, her parents admit that they were blind to these behavioral changes and failed to read the warning signs. They concede that they could not understand the child’s agony and never suspected that young children could be so depressive, suicidal, and have such deep, dark thoughts.
“We believed that she was only acting weird,” was the emotional confession of the mother. “Nobody would have gotten into their heads that a 10-year-old child can have these feelings.”
The Tragic Outcome
They tried to cheer her up and find help, but the worst thing happened. Their daughter committed suicide, thus her family and community were left in pieces. After the incident, her parents have come out strongly, aiming to protect other families from going through the same agony.
A Call for Awareness and Action
Psychologists who specialize in mental health are repeating the fact that even kids, who are only 10 years old, may get such depression, anxiety, and have such suicidal ideas that they can harm themselves. The list of symptoms might be as follows:
- Gradual withdrawal from friends, family, or favorite activities
- Very unusual mood swings or emotional outbursts
- Unhappiness or hurt feelings revealed
- Sleep or eating habits are changing
- Significant giving away of stuff or mentioning of death
Going to help very soon is of primary importance. Great weight falls on parents, teachers, and caregivers. They are advised to treat worrying behavior in children as a serious matter and to provide them with professional support services.
Honoring Her Memory
The once-mournful family has been transformed into an association of people advocating for the increased allocation of mental health resources in schools and communities. They want their tragic loss to serve as a trigger that opens the mouths of the kids to talk about their mental health, and thus, no child has to suffer in silence anymore.
