After some initial resistance, my daughter agreed to this on a trial basis. It helped that I put the emphasis on the fact that experts say suicidal people shouldn't be around other suicidal people. I took the decision-making away from us and said, "Give yourself a chance to get better and follow their advice for a while." The other thing I asked her to put in the contract is still in force. No horror movies. Many of the images she was dreaming and hallucinating came from horror movies. I'm not saying the horror movies caused her suicidal fantasies, but they gave her visual images that expressed her emotional pain. When she saw certain imagespeople stabbing themselves, for exampleall the emotional pain came back.
|
You may write this contract with your teenager and a therapist, or you may do it on your own without a therapist but make sure it gets done. If the treatment center overlooks this activity, don't let it slip by. Take care of it yourself.
|
Give Your Teenager Words of Hope
|
It is important for you to state your faith in your child's recovery. If you don't believe in it, who will? You are your child's best source of hope. Even if you are scared, express your hope in words you can honestly say. For example, "I know you want to have a good life, and I support you in your search."
|
|