Should Parents Be Notified About a Classmate's Self-Harm Concerns? - Psychiatry

Dr. Ding Shuyan reply Psychiatry

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First of all, it is truly touching and admirable that you care about the mental and physical well-being of other people's children in this increasingly indifferent society.
Matters of life and death should indeed be taken seriously and approached with more proactivity.
I agree with your perspective that it may be worthwhile to contact the other child's parents to inform them and suggest arranging counseling or medical care, as they might also feel helpless and unsure of how to handle the situation.
Of course, we may not yet know how the child in question would react to us informing their parents, whether they might feel that your daughter has broken a confidence, which could cause her distress; this is something that should be understood and addressed afterward.
Generally speaking, matters concerning others, especially regarding illness or medical history, should be treated as personal privacy and respected as confidential.
However, when someone expresses suicidal or self-harming thoughts, it should not be kept confidential indefinitely.
It is important to note that individuals experiencing self-harm or suicidal ideation are often more sensitive, so we must be careful to protect them from unnecessary exposure and rejection while helping them.
Self-harm or suicide can stem from various underlying causes, including stress, personality traits, mental illnesses (such as depression or psychosis), and the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Each case is typically a complex interplay of multiple factors, making it challenging to address effectively or to see immediate results.
Fortunately, the impulses and emotional peaks that lead individuals to harm themselves are usually not long-lasting.
If we can reach out to them during those critical moments, provide companionship, or redirect their attention, the crisis can often be temporarily alleviated.

Anyone can engage in this supportive role; it is not solely the responsibility of medical professionals such as doctors, psychologists, or nurses.
This embodies the spirit of our country's initiative to promote "gatekeeping in suicide prevention." We are increasingly respecting patients' rights to actively participate in decision-making during their medical care.
However, from a psychiatric perspective, when considering whether individuals have the right to choose to end their own lives, we focus on understanding why they feel this way rather than on the reasons for not choosing to live actively.
Clinical discussions with many individuals who have attempted suicide reveal that their mental state at the moment of contemplating suicide is often unstable and irrational, but these feelings typically last only a few minutes.
Most are relieved that they did not actually die, yet they regret the physical pain caused by their methods of self-harm.
The risk of re-attempting suicide or self-harm remains in the short term.
Therefore, ongoing concern and even medical intervention for assessment are crucial.
Suicide and self-harm are significant issues.
Media and drama often romanticize these topics, or out of respect for the deceased, refrain from critical commentary, leading the general public to mistakenly view them as viable options for problem-solving, which is a profoundly erroneous belief.
Your compassion and willingness to help others inspire me to share these additional thoughts, hoping that those who encounter this message will emulate your spirit and courageously assist others in saving lives.
Sincerely, Dr.
Ding Shuo-Yan.

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Reply Date: 2010/07/31