Is it ok to talk about suicide or self-harm to my teenage kids?

Youth Caseworker in Phoenix House Kate Lee says when you think your children are someone who might be suicidal, you should tell them you are always ready to listen to them.

Girl sitting in shadow Source: Getty Images/stockstudioX

The mental health issue is one of the biggest problems derived from COVID19 pandemic.  

It is not just adults that have been affected by unprecedented social changes.

Our children also had to face the unexpected virus outbreak, unexperienced isolation and lockdown and changes in parents’ emotional and financial condition. 

Today, SBS Korean program is having a tough conversation about extreme youth mental health problems, youth suicide and self-harm with Kate Lee, Youth Caseworker at Phoenix House.

Kate Lee, Youth Development Specialist at Phoenix House Source: Supplied

Ms Lee says the most important message to parents is when you notice your children have suicidal or self-harming thoughts, they are in a condition of needing someone they can talk to or ask help and parents can be the one. 

The full interview in Korean with Ms Kate Lee is available on the podcast above.