Let's Not Wait Until They Are Teenagers - Taking Childhood Suicidality Seriously
Tracks
MARQUIS ROOM - In-Person Only
| Tuesday, March 17, 2026 |
| 2:40 PM - 3:10 PM |
Overview
Dr Lyn O’Grady, Community Psychologist
Presenter
Dr Lyn O'Grady
Community Psychologist
Community Psychologist
Let's Not Wait Until They Are Teenagers - Taking Childhood Suicidality Seriously
Presentation Overview
While we hear a lot about youth suicide and its devastating impacts, we hear less about children's suicidality. There has been limited research about this age group, although this is beginning to increase with concerns being raised about the potential extent of suicidal ideation in children, the often lack of effective action by adults when children seek support and the potential long-term effects of childhood suicidality if not well addressed at the time.
Suicidality in childhood can be confronting and adults can have a range of responses when a child shares their thoughts about dying. Confusion about children's conceptual understandings of death and whether they fully are aware of its permanence can cloud adults' responses and become a distraction. Understanding suicidality as a sign of distress and sense of helplessness can be useful in determining the way forward and for adults to be more confident in providing support.
Parents and carers are often overwhelmed and distressed when becoming aware of their child's suicidality and can require support in managing their own responses in order to understand and most effectively support their children. Both safety planning and a comprehensive psychosocial assessment of underlying needs will be critical in understanding what is happening for the child and developing a collaborative plan for support.
This presentation will draw on current research and clinical experience to explore contemporary understandings of the suicide risk and protective factors that may be particular to children, ways that parents, teachers and mental health professionals can recognise and respond to signs of concern early and overall suicide prevention responses which may be helpful in family, school and community settings. The role of school staff and mental health practitioners in developing safety plans and engaging parents will be explored as key elements of this approach.
Three Key Learnings:
1. How suicidality in children can present to families, school staff and mental health practitioners
2. Contemporary risk and protective factors related to childhood suicidality
3. Ways that school staff and mental health practitioners can recognise potential early signs of suicidality and respond most effectively
Suicidality in childhood can be confronting and adults can have a range of responses when a child shares their thoughts about dying. Confusion about children's conceptual understandings of death and whether they fully are aware of its permanence can cloud adults' responses and become a distraction. Understanding suicidality as a sign of distress and sense of helplessness can be useful in determining the way forward and for adults to be more confident in providing support.
Parents and carers are often overwhelmed and distressed when becoming aware of their child's suicidality and can require support in managing their own responses in order to understand and most effectively support their children. Both safety planning and a comprehensive psychosocial assessment of underlying needs will be critical in understanding what is happening for the child and developing a collaborative plan for support.
This presentation will draw on current research and clinical experience to explore contemporary understandings of the suicide risk and protective factors that may be particular to children, ways that parents, teachers and mental health professionals can recognise and respond to signs of concern early and overall suicide prevention responses which may be helpful in family, school and community settings. The role of school staff and mental health practitioners in developing safety plans and engaging parents will be explored as key elements of this approach.
Three Key Learnings:
1. How suicidality in children can present to families, school staff and mental health practitioners
2. Contemporary risk and protective factors related to childhood suicidality
3. Ways that school staff and mental health practitioners can recognise potential early signs of suicidality and respond most effectively
Biography
Dr Lyn O'Grady is a Community Psychologist with a particular interest in the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. She currently works in private practice, is a Psychology Board Approved Supervisor, trainer and consultant. She has three decades of experience working in community, health and education sectors, including as a parent educator, school psychologist and national manager of the KidsMatter Project, a children's mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention framework. She is also the author of Keeping our Kids Hopeful, parenting children during times of uncertainty and Keeping our Kids Alive, Parenting a suicidal young person.
